Curator of Early Printed Books & Rare Collections

Huntington Public Library; San Marino (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

403(b) retirement plan

Hybrid remote work schedule

Generous paid time off

Staff discounts at store/restaurants

Free museum admissions

Job summary

The Huntington Library in California seeks a Curator of Early Printed Books to steward its world-class hand-press era collection (1450–1800) and the extra-illustrated books portfolio. You will lead acquisitions, interpretation, and outreach for diverse audiences, including exhibitions and talks.

Ideal candidates have advanced training in book history and strong experience with rare materials, provenance, and public scholarship.

Qualifications

• PhD preferred; MLIS or equivalent encouraged.
• Familiarity with ESTC/ISTC and bibliographic methods.
• Experience with rare books, provenance and special collections.

Responsibilities

• Stewards and develops rare and special collections in Early Printed Books (1450–1800).
• Interprets collections for scholars and the public through exhibitions and talks.
• Provides research and reference assistance in-person and remotely.
• Collaborates with Library Director and Curatorial leadership to identify donors and grants.
• Works with Preservation and Technical Services to prioritize access and description.
• Promotes access tools and outreach with Reader Services.
• Keeps current with scholarly trends and represents the Library in professional contexts.
• Contributes to cross-institutional activities and initiatives.

Skills

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

Public speaking

Reading knowledge (German/Latin)

Education

PhD in history or related discipline

MLIS or equivalent degree

Tools

ESTC familiarity

MEI project familiarity

Digitization experience

Job description

The Huntington Library in California seeks a Curator of Early Printed Books to steward its world-class hand-press era collection (1450–1800) and the extra-illustrated books portfolio. You will lead acquisitions, interpretation, and outreach for diverse audiences, including exhibitions and talks.

Ideal candidates have advanced training in book history and strong experience with rare materials, provenance, and public scholarship.