Librarian for Music Special Collections

Oberlin College Development

Oberlin (OH)

In loco

USD 65.000 - 90.000

Tempo pieno

2 giorni fa

Candidati tra i primi

Generatore di candidature

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Descrizione del lavoro

Oberlin College and Conservatory seeks a Librarian for Music Special Collections to acquire, manage, and provide access to distinguished music holdings. You will teach with primary sources, support research, and lead projects to describe, preserve, and exhibit collections.

The role collaborates across Archives, Rare Books, and Metadata Services, supervising staff and coordinating with donors. Strong music knowledge and archival standards are essential.

Competenze

MLS or equivalent in archival administration is required.
Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent performance experience; fluent reading of Western notation.
2–4 years of professional library/archives experience with teaching/presentation duties.
Experience with archival description standards (DACS/RDA/DCRM, etc.).
Experience with library/archival schemas (EAD, MARC, MARCXML, Dublin Core, VRA Core, MODS).
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Willingness for ongoing professional learning and comfort with ambiguity.

Mansioni

Partner with Conservatory faculty on teaching and research projects.
Enhance discoverability through cataloging, metadata, finding aids, and digital scholarship.
Curate physical and digital collections and exhibits.
Develop and curate collections of rare materials.
Collaborate on gift assessment and collection development.
Ensure proper housing/rehousing and digital file management.
Supervise the project archivist and student workers.
Identify materials for preservation and digitization.
Oversee vault organization and storage conditions.
Monitor facilities conditions and report to Head of Conservatory Library.
Contribute to website and research/course guides development.
Participate in library meetings and consortial groups.

Conoscenze

Music notation literacy

Oral & written communication

Interpersonal skills

Professional learning mindset

Comfort with ambiguity

Supervisory experience

Formazione

MLS / Archival Administration degree

Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent performance experience

Strumenti

ArchivesSpace

ContentDM

Islandora

Omeka

Alma Digital

Descrizione del lavoro

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Initial review of applications will begin November 15, 2026.

Announcement Information

Job Summary

Oberlin College and Conservatory is accepting applications for Librarian for Music Special Collections. The successful candidate will work collaboratively within and beyond the department to acquire, manage, and provide access to music special collections, including teaching with primary sources, providing in‑depth reference and research support, and implementing projects to process, arrange, describe, and preserve music special collections with the goal of always improving accessibility. They also contribute to the Conservatory Library’s planning, assessment, and engagement efforts, as well grant/donor funded projects. The Librarian for Music Special Collections represents the Conservatory Library on the Distinctive Collections Working Group and engages more broadly in the region and beyond on issues related to music‑oriented special collections and archives. The incumbent is expected to work comfortably and with a high degree of expertise in a shared decision‑making environment.

The successful candidate will possess a demonstrated capacity to be creative in leveraging the strengths of our collections for curricular and co‑cultural activities. Among our incredible collections are the James R. and Susan Neumann Jazz Collection and the Frederick R. Selch Collection of American Music History. The Librarian for Music Special Collections supervises a term‑limited part‑time position of Project Archivist for the Neumann Collection, and 4‑6 hours per week of student employees.

This position reports to the Head of the Conservatory Library and works closely with colleagues in other distinctive collections and metadata creation areas at the College (Archives, Rare Books, Digital Collaborative, Con Tech Services, and Discovery and Metadata Services) on access and discovery workflows and standards.

Responsibilities

The Librarian for Music Special Collections will

Partner with Conservatory faculty on teaching and research projects.
Enhance discoverability and utility of the Conservatory’s special collections through cataloging and metadata, finding aids, and digital scholarship.
Curate physical and digital collections and exhibits
Develop and curate collections of rare and unique materials in the Conservatory Library
Work collaboratively with Head of Conservatory Library regarding gift assessment and collection development.
Ensure proper housing/rehousing of physical materials and proper storage and formatting of digital files
Trains and supervises the term‑limited project archivist and student workers
Identify materials for preservation, conservation, and digitization.
Oversee organization in the vaults and maintenance to ensure proper storage and conditions
Monitor special collections facilities conditions, reporting to Head of Con Library around facilities and working with key partners throughout OCL .
Collaborate in the development and maintenance of the Conservatory Special Collections website and research/course guides.
Participate in Conservatory Library meetings and planning, and develop close working relationships with Oberlin College Archives. Participate in Libraries, campus, and consortial groups as appropriate.

Essential Job Functions

Marginal Job Functions

Required Qualifications

MLS , Master’s Degree in Archival Administration or equivalent
Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent professional performance experience; fluent reading ability in Western musical notation
2‑4 years of professional library/archives/museum experience with classroom/presentation experience
2‑4 years experience in collections arrangement and description and demonstrated ability to document procedures and metadata decisions
Demonstrated experience with one or more library/archival descriptive standards, such as DACS , RDA , DCRM , etc.
Demonstrated experience one or more library/archival schema, such as EAD , MARC , MARCXML , Dublin Core, VRA Core, MODS , etc.
Outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Willingness to engage in continuous professional learning and comfort with ambiguity

Desired Qualifications

Working knowledge of the history of jazz or early American music
Supervisory experience
Experience working with archival applications such as ArchivesSpace
Experience working with a digital asset management system such as ContentDM, Islandora, Omeka, Alma Digital, etc.
Familiarity with working with digital files and image and audio editing software
Some knowledge of intellectual property issues related to archives, libraries, and special collections and copyright issues associated with print and digital technologies
Demonstrated ability to participate in donor relations, collection solicitation, and gift management
Demonstrated ability to participate in the preparation and management of grants

Within the range established for this administrative and professional staff position, salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Oberlin College offers an excellent benefit package including a generous PTO policy.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Initial review of applications will begin November 15, 2026.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents