Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Position:
Associate Director for Historical Collections
The Lister Hill Library and the Reynolds Historical Library are seeking an
energetic, creative leader for the position of Associate Director for
Historical Collections. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role
in developing and promoting the Reynolds Historical Library, the UAB
Archives and the Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences through traditional
and innovative means to enhance their scholarly use by students and faculty
at UAB, as well as by researchers throughout the country.
UAB's Historical Collections covers three areas:
The Reynolds Historical Library contains 10,000 items-books, manuscripts and
collections of letters by William Osler, Florence Nightingale and Louis
Pasteur. The library also has a small collection of incunabula and early
16th century medical books. The strengths of the collection are 16th, 17th
and 18th century medical books, with emphasis on early anatomy, electricity/
magnetism and surgery. There is also a growing collection of early North
American medical imprints and a developing Civil War medical book
collection.
The Alabama Museum of the Health Sciences includes collections of
photographs, medical and surgical instruments and various types of equipment
relative to the history of medicine, nursing, dentistry, optometry, public
health and the allied health professions. The primary purpose of the Museum
is to provide educational display and permanent preservation for historical
health sciences materials. One of the most noteworthy collections of the
Museum is the nineteen wax pathological specimens acquired in France by
Josiah Clark Nott in 1860.
The UAB Archives is designated by the Alabama Department of Archives and
History as a repository for the history of health sciences in Alabama and
serves as the official repository for the records of UAB. Official
organizational records and the private papers of health science personnel
are also collected in an effort to document the wide influence of the
University and Academic Health Center on the local, state and national
communities.
Additional information can be found at http://www.uab.edu/historical.
The Associate Director for Historical Collections will develop and implement
policies for collection development, cataloging, outreach, donor relations,
and preservation. The Associate Director is responsible for facilitating
access to Historical Collections' holdings, fostering classroom and research
use, and preparing exhibitions and publications. The position supervises a
staff of 4 FTE and reports to the Director of the Lister Hill Library of the
Health Sciences. This position is an integral part of the senior
administrative team of the Lister Hill Library.
A graduate degree in library/information science is required. Highly
desirable qualifications include experience with rare book collections,
progressively responsible experience in special collections management (5+
years) and an advanced degree in history of medicine, history of science or
related fields. Preference will be given to candidates with extensive
knowledge of the antiquarian book trade; competency in at least one western
European language; experience with donor relations and fundraising; working
in a team environment; proficiency with computers; utilization of WWW
resources, and digital access techniques and issues.
This is a renewable, non-tenure track faculty appointment. Salary is
negotiable, based on qualifications and experience, from $45,000. Full
benefits include excellent state retirement package.
Please send letter of application, along with the names and addresses of
three references to:
T. Scott Plutchak
Director, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1700 University Blvd.
Birmingham, AL 35294-0013
Email applications are acceptable ([log in to unmask]). Applications will be
open until March 1, 1999. UAB is an equal-opportunity employer.
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