Head of Archival Collections and Institutional Repository

Marquette University Clg-Nurse; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Marquette University’s Raynor Library seeks a visionary leader to head the Archival Collections and Institutional Repository. The Head will oversee the university archives, manuscript and rare book collections, and the e-Publications@Marquette repository, guiding strategic priorities and sustainable access.

The role reports to the Associate Dean for Collection Services and offers opportunities for professional service, limited faculty duties, and collaboration across library departments to

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited program is required.
• Significant professional experience in archives and/or special collections is required.
• Experience teaching, exhibits, events, or programs focusing on primary source collections and/or digital scholarly content is preferred.
• Experience developing partnerships that expand use of collections and scholarship is preferred.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop professional staff is required.
• Ability to foster teamwork, cooperation, and collaboration is essential.
• Strong commitment to public service and to working with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership for the library’s archival collections and repository programs.
• Manage and mentor eight full-time staff, archivists, librarians, and students.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate archival materials into coursework and research.
• Build relationships with academic departments and campus partners to promote archival resources.
• Lead digitization and discovery system improvements for sustainable access.
• Acquire new collections aligned with department and university priorities.
• Guide digitization priorities for high-impact collections and scholarly outputs.
• Lead development of digital preservation and digital history initiatives.
• Participate in leadership and cross-unit collaboration within the library.

Skills

MLS/MLIS

ALA-accredited program

Archives experience

Teaching/exhibits

Partnership development

Staff leadership

Public service

Interpersonal skills

Education

MLIS/MLS from an ALA-accredited program

Tools

ArchivesSpace

Preservica

DACS

ERM

EAD

OAIS

Job description

Head of Archival Collections and Institutional Repository

Position Title Head of Archival Collections and Institutional Repository

State

State WI

Employment Status

Employment Status Full Time

Position Status

Position Status Regular

Position Type

Position Type Faculty

Job Family

Job Family Faculty

# Hours Per Week 37.5

Position Overview

Raynor Library seeks a collaborative and forward-thinking individual to serve as Head of its Archival Collections and Institutional Repository department, leading a diverse portfolio of programs that play an essential role in the vitality of Marquette University’s learning, scholarship, and Catholic, Jesuit mission.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Collection Services, the Head will provide strategic leadership and operational management for the University Archives, manuscript and rare book collections, and the e-Publications@Marquette institutional repository. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise and strategic vision to develop collaborative, creative, and sustainable approaches to engaging these programs in research and learning on Marquette’s campus and beyond.

As a member of Raynor’s leadership team, the Head will contribute to strategic planning and facilitate collaborative working relationships across library departments and the campus. This position is a participating faculty appointment and, as such, will come with opportunities and expectations for professional service and development.

About the Archival Collections and Institutional Repository

Awarded the 2026 Governor’s Award for Archival Achievement by the Wisconsin Historical Society, ACIR brings together two units whose distinctive collections and services enrich the research and teaching excellence of Marquette University. The department is not only dedicated to preserving and providing access but also to inspiring discovery and learning through collaborative instruction, exhibitions, programs, and digital initiatives.

The department’s Archival Collections team collects, preserves and provides access to extensive collections of manuscripts, university records, and rare books that illuminate questions of faith, justice, community, and intellectual life of Marquette as a Catholic, Jesuit institution. The e-Publications@Marquette institutional repository team further extends the department’s impact by preserving and providing access to the scholarly and creative output of the university.

Collection strengths include:

• University archives
• An open-access research repository (e-Publications@Marquette) with more than 46,000 works of Marquette scholarship.
• Catholic social justice, including the papers of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement.
• Native American collections, including the archives of the Bureau of Catholic and Indian Missions.
• J. R. R. Tolkien and Tolkien studies, including Tolkien’s manuscripts for the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings.
• The James W. Foley Collection on journalism, global affairs, and press freedom.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership for the library’s archival collections and repository programs, in alignment with library and university priorities.
• Manage and mentor eight full-time staff, archivists, and librarians as well as student employees.
• Collaborate with faculty and library colleagues to incorporate archival, rare book, and repository materials into student coursework and research experiences.
• Build relationships with academic departments, research centers, and campus partners to ensure the department remains an active resource for scholarship, institutional memory, and storytelling.
• Lead initiatives to enhance discovery and use of archival and repository materials through digitization, discovery system improvements, and sustainable access strategies.
• Acquire new collections in scope with department and University priorities.
• Guide departmental priorities for digitization of high-impact collections and scholarly outputs and of repository growth.
• Lead the development of sustainable approaches to digital preservation, archival digital collections, and the university’s digital history.
• Participate as a member of the leadership team, representing ACIR and identifying opportunities for cross-unit collaboration.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA -accredited program.
• Significant professional experience in archives and/or special collections.
• Experience with teaching, exhibits, events or other programs that focus on primary source collections and/or digital scholarly content.
• Experience developing partnerships that expand use of collections and scholarship.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop professional staff.
• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork, cooperation, and collaboration.
• Strong commitment to public service and proven ability to work with a diverse population of faculty, staff, students, community members, and external researchers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals and groups in a complex and rapidly changing environment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in software and standards in both traditional and emerging digital archival practices, including DACS , ERM , EAD , OAIS , and ArchivesSpace or Preservica.
• Experience with institutional repositories or other scholarly communication initiatives.
• Knowledge of rare books, book history, or special collections stewardship.
• Understanding of how AI can help to leverage archival practices and unique collections.
• Experience working with donors.

Department Raynor Library

Posting Date

Posting Date 08/03/2026

Closing Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

It is the policy of Marquette University to provide equal employment opportunities ( EEO ) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• References

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a Master's Degree in Library or Information Science or equivalent?
  • Yes
  • No