The Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America documents the lives of women of the past and present for the future and furthers the Radcliffe Institute’s commitment to the study of women, gender, sexuality, and society. It seeks a superior candidate to fill the newly created position of Curator for Race and Ethnicity. The Curator will play a vital part in its sustained and ongoing planning to make its collections more diverse and inclusive. The successful candidate will bring intersectional perspectives to the work of building the collection, and have extensive knowledge of the history of women and gender in one or more of the following areas: African-American, Latina, Indigenous, Caribbean, and Asian American.
The selected candidate will serve as a manuscripts curator, with a special focus on identifying and acquiring archival collections that document the lives of women of color. The Curator will collaborate with the library’s faculty director, executive director, and other curators to identify gaps in its existing collections and to develop and implement a robust strategy to broaden the library’s holdings by fostering relationships with multiple communities. The Curator will be responsible for collection development, acquisitions management, donor relations, and community engagement to support this crucial facet of the broad mission of the Schlesinger Library. Reporting to the library’s Executive Director, the Curator will work collaboratively with Library and Radcliffe Institute leadership, other Schlesinger curators, research librarians, and archivists, and members of the broader Radcliffe community. They will build partnerships with faculty throughout Harvard University, and will engage researchers, donors, and the broader community in learning about the Schlesinger Library.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work collaboratively with the Curator of Manuscripts to deepen its world-class collections for American women’s and gender history, especially collections that document the experiences of women of color.
- Build relationships with potential donors of manuscript collections, explaining the historical significance and importance of archiving their papers to their personal and/or organizational legacy.
- Work with Library leadership to implement a comprehensive strategy of community engagement to support its enhanced collecting mission. Such a strategy will include:
- Developing vibrant and diverse public programming,
- Working with Harvard faculty and colleagues in Research Services to enhance and support teaching and learning through its collections
- Planning and curating exhibitions of Schlesinger materials
- Representing the library and community events
- Contributing articles to scholarly journals as well as to Schlesinger, Radcliffe, and Harvard publications.
- Identify potential sources of grant funding appropriate to the Curator’s mission and work with colleagues to submit grant applications.
- Serve on the Schlesinger Library’s Acquisitions Committee and recommend potential acquisitions (both donations and purchases).
- Negotiate the terms of deeds of gift and agreements to purchase.
- Promote awareness, understanding and recognition of legal issues which may arise from working with unpublished collections in areas such as copyright, privacy, confidentiality, right-to-know, and ownership.
- Leverage technology to expand collection development in a technology-driven collecting landscape.
- Represent the Schlesinger Library on Harvard Library committees.
- Other duties may also be assigned.
The candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Master’s degree or comparable evidence of advanced study in Africana Studies, Latino/a Studies, American History, American Studies, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, or a related field.
- ALA-accredited MLS (Master’s in Library Science) or equivalent degree in a related field such as Public Humanities.
- Five years of curatorial experience with a specialization in collecting archives in communities of color.
- Demonstrated ability to work productively, both independently and collaboratively, in a highly collegial and team-based environment.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent technology and social media skills
Additional Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the manuscripts trade, including sources and practices, prices, and effective procurement methodology.
- Language expertise to support the Curator’s particular collecting mission.
- Knowledge of archival science theory, practice, and technologies.
- Familiarity with conservation and preservation practices relating to special collections.
- Proven experience working with collectors and building donor relationships.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to interact with a wide range of people at different levels within the library, at the Radcliffe Institute, across Harvard University and the public.
- Demonstrated ability to build effective long-term relationships both internally and externally and the ability to advocate for the Schlesinger Library’s goals.
- Demonstrated experience and background in research and writing that establishes expertise in an area of study.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication, demonstrated presentation skills.
- Advanced technology skills including social media, Google Docs, One Drive, and database-management applications.
- Proven ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple priorities, with competing deadlines.
- Demonstrated project management skills.
Cover letters are required for every application to the Radcliffe Institute. Please combine your cover letter and resume into a single document that you can upload where you are instructed to in the ASPIRE section labeled: “Upload my resume/CV from my computer.”
About the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study
The Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The commitment to excellence and inquiry that characterized Radcliffe College is maintained in the innovative and wide-ranging work at the Radcliffe Institute, where advanced study is furthered through the Fellowship Program, Academic Ventures, and the Schlesinger Library.
For more information, visit www.radcliffe.harvard.edu