Hofstra University
Director of Special Collections
🇺🇸 Hempstead, NY
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $115K - $120K
💻 Operations
🗓️ December 4th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
- Oversee all aspects of special collections including Long Island Studies Institute, University Archives, and Rare Books and Manuscripts.
- Manage reading room and reference services, collection preservation, space utilization, grant writing, donor development, budgeting, and staff mentorship.
- Develop and implement policies for collection development, preservation, and digital access.
- Collaborate with faculty to integrate primary collections into research and coursework.
- Lead outreach, exhibitions, and public programming to enhance community engagement.
- Pursue grants, external funding, and cultivate donor relationships.
- Create communications programs, digital initiatives, and social media strategies.
- Participate in university and professional committees and promote special collections work externally.
- Requires ALA-accredited master's in library and information science, 5-7 years special collections or archives experience, and supervisory experience.
- Preferred qualifications include advanced humanities/social sciences degree, fundraising, grant writing experience, and knowledge of Long Island/New York history.
- Salary range is $115,000 - $120,000 annually.
Director of Special Collections Full Description
Position Title | Director of Special Collections
Position Number | 896311
Position Category | Administration
School/Division | Library Operations
Department | Library Operations - Special Collections
Full-Time or Part-Time | Full-Time
Description | Reporting to the Dean of the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, the Director of Special Collections oversees all aspects of stewardship, access, preservation, and engagement with materials of local and global scholarly significance. Hofstra University seeks a dynamic and community-focused Director of Special Collections to lead, develop, and promote the Axinn Library’s special collections, including the Long Island Studies Institute, University Archives, and Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides strategic leadership and operational management for Special Collections, including oversight of reading room and reference services, collection management and preservation activities, inventory and space utilization, grant writing and donor development, budgeting, and workforce development. Supervises and mentors staff, fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment. Develops and implements policies for collection development and management, preservation, and digital access in concert with the Dean. Collaborates with faculty to integrate research with primary source collections into coursework. Leads outreach, exhibition development, and public programming to expand community engagement, with particular emphasis on the Long Island Studies Institute. Cultivates donor relationships, manages gifts, and pursues grants and external funding. Develops a communications program, digital initiatives, and social media strategy to improve awareness and use of collections. Serves on university and professional committees and promotes the work of Special Collections at conferences, events, and within the broader archives and library communities. Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications | ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science required. Minimum of 5–7 years of experience working with special collections or archives. Supervisory or program management experience. Demonstrated understanding of best practices in community-centered collection development and management. Experience with digital curation and preservation. Knowledge of metadata standards used in archives and special collections. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications | Advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in the humanities or social sciences preferred. Experience with donor cultivation, fundraising, and grant writing. Knowledge of Long Island and New York history.
Special Instructions |
Deadline | Open Until Filled
Date Posted | 10/17/2025
EEO Statement | Hofstra University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to extending equal opportunity in employment to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Salary/Salary Range | $115,000 - $120,000
Additional Information
Hofstra University provides the above salary* as a good faith estimate of the starting pay range which considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience and education. In addition to the salary offered, we offer a collegial and inclusive culture, and a benefits program which includes generous paid time off, paid holidays, tuition remission for employees and eligible dependents, and a retirement plan with University contributions.
*Salary ranges indicated for positions covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement are in accordance with the CBA.
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