University of South Carolina
Associate Dean for Special Collections
🇺🇸 Columbia, SC
🕑 Full-Time
💰 TBD
💻 Other
🗓️ July 17th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
University of South Carolina is hiring an Associate Dean for Special Collections. This role involves providing leadership, vision, and administration for the University Libraries' distinctive collections, including managing collections development, budgeting, staff oversight, public programming, fundraising, outreach, and research support, while serving as part of the senior leadership team.
Highlights
- Lead and administer University Libraries' special collections including Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, South Caroliniana Library, and Moving Image Research Collections.
- Coordinate collection development, budgeting, staff oversight, public programming, fundraising, outreach, and research assistance.
- Collaborate with curatorial teams and work closely with the Dean of Libraries and development staff.
- Required education: Graduate degree in relevant field (e.g., history, American Studies, film, English).
- Minimum 4 years experience in curation and management of distinctive collections in research libraries or cultural memory organizations.
- Experience required in personnel management and budget development/implementation.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills emphasizing inclusivity and ethical practices.
- Preferred qualifications include an MLS from an ALA-accredited program, doctorate in relevant field, success in grant submissions, exhibit planning, and fundraising.
- Position is full-time, tenure-track/tenured with salary commensurate with experience.
- Work under University Libraries, reporting to Dean, serving as senior leadership team member.
Associate Dean for Special Collections Full Description
Associate Dean for Special Collections
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
Logo |
Posting Number | FAC00107PO25
Advertised Title | Associate Dean for Special Collections
Campus | Columbia
College/Division | University Libraries
Department | LIBR Special Collections
Advertised Salary Range | Commensurate with Experience
Location of Vacancy |
Part/Full Time | Full Time
Hours per Week | 37.5
Position Category | Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
Basis | 12 months
Work County | Richland
Tenure Information | Tenure-Track/Tenured
Job Search Category | Faculty
Posting Number | FAC00107PO25
Advertised Title | Associate Dean for Special Collections
Campus | Columbia
College/Division | University Libraries
Department | LIBR Special Collections
Advertised Salary Range | Commensurate with Experience
Location of Vacancy |
Part/Full Time | Full Time
Hours per Week | 37.5
Position Category | Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
Basis | 12 months
Work County | Richland
Tenure Information | Tenure-Track/Tenured
Job Search Category | Faculty
About USC
About University of South Carolina | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers state employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary | The Associate Dean for Special Collections provides leadership, vision, and administration for the distinctive collections of University Libraries (Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, the South Caroliniana Library, and the Moving Image Research Collections). Reporting to the Dean of Libraries, and in collaboration with their curatorial teams, the incumbent performs or coordinates a range of duties, including collection development, budgeting, staff oversight, public programming, fundraising, outreach, and research assistance and support. The Associate Dean serves as part of the senior leadership team of University Libraries and works with colleagues and the dean to ensure the effective, harmonious integration of all library services. The incumbent works closely with development to ensure philanthropic support for the collections and curatorial faculty and staff.
Required Education and Experience | Required Education and Experience:
A graduate degree in a field relevant to the primary focus of USC’s special collections (e.g., history, American Studies, film, English). A minimum of 4 years’ experience in the curation and management of distinctive collections within a research library or similar cultural memory organization, including personnel management. Demonstrated experience with budget development and implementation. In-depth knowledge of contemporary curatorial practices, including demonstrated experience supporting a wide array of researchers, faculty, students, and others using distinctive materials.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Competencies:
Strong evidence of organizational and interpersonal skills that foster a culture of inclusivity, fairness, and openness. Excellent written and oral communication skills. A commitment to ethical practice in the acquisition, description, and stewardship of materials. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to exercise sound judgment in the development, interpretation, and implementation of policies and procedures. Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, internally and externally.
Preferred Qualifications | Preferred Qualifications:
An MLS from an ALA-accredited program (or foreign equivalent). An earned doctorate in a field relevant to the primary focus of USC’s special collections (e.g., history, American Studies, film, English). A successful record in grant submissions and oversight. Substantial experience in planning and staging exhibits and corresponding complementary programming. A strong record of professional achievement, including active participation in relevant professional organizations, scholarly publications, and relevant academic service. Demonstrated knowledge of trends and practices in newer and emerging practices (e.g., digital scholarship, Open Access, artificial intelligence) and relevant copyright and ethical considerations. A successful record of staff development and team building. Demonstrated success in fundraising, gift in kind solicitation, and stewardship.
Required Education and Experience | Required Education and Experience:
A graduate degree in a field relevant to the primary focus of USC’s special collections (e.g., history, American Studies, film, English). A minimum of 4 years’ experience in the curation and management of distinctive collections within a research library or similar cultural memory organization, including personnel management. Demonstrated experience with budget development and implementation. In-depth knowledge of contemporary curatorial practices, including demonstrated experience supporting a wide array of researchers, faculty, students, and others using distinctive materials.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities/Competencies:
Strong evidence of organizational and interpersonal skills that foster a culture of inclusivity, fairness, and openness. Excellent written and oral communication skills. A commitment to ethical practice in the acquisition, description, and stewardship of materials. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to exercise sound judgment in the development, interpretation, and implementation of policies and procedures. Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders, internally and externally.
Preferred Qualifications | Preferred Qualifications:
An MLS from an ALA-accredited program (or foreign equivalent). An earned doctorate in a field relevant to the primary focus of USC’s special collections (e.g., history, American Studies, film, English). A successful record in grant submissions and oversight. Substantial experience in planning and staging exhibits and corresponding complementary programming. A strong record of professional achievement, including active participation in relevant professional organizations, scholarly publications, and relevant academic service. Demonstrated knowledge of trends and practices in newer and emerging practices (e.g., digital scholarship, Open Access, artificial intelligence) and relevant copyright and ethical considerations. A successful record of staff development and team building. Demonstrated success in fundraising, gift in kind solicitation, and stewardship.
Posting Detail Information
Desired Start Date | 10/01/2025
Job Open Date | 07/16/2025
Job Close Date | 07/25/2025
Open Until Filled | No
Special Instructions to Applicant | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/189937
EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Job Open Date | 07/16/2025
Job Close Date | 07/25/2025
Open Until Filled | No
Special Instructions to Applicant | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/189937
EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents
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