Project Curator for Women in Politics Collections - The Bancroft Library

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 83,162 - 95,010; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is seeking an Associate Librarian, Temporary Status, to lead collections development focused on women in politics and to collaborate across Bancroft Library and campus partners. You will supervise accessions, processing, teaching and public programs while advancing inclusive scholarship.

The role requires an advanced degree (MLS preferred) and strong user-centered services. Two-year appointment with possible renewal based on funding and performance.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or enrollment in an advanced degree program.
• MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent.
• Advanced degree in a field related to the collection’s subject area; terminal degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with curatorial colleagues to build and steward collections relevant to women in politics.
• Appraise and select materials for acquisition across manuscripts, archives, visual media, digital media and print.
• Address provenance, IP rights, privacy, and ethical stewardship of cultural heritage materials.
• Develop relationships with communities represented in the collections and partner with library leadership for philanthropic support.
• Collaborate on technical services for accessioning, cataloging, and archival processing to ensure discoverability.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal communication

Written communication

Team collaboration

Education

MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library school

Advanced degree

Job description

Position Overview

• Title: Associate Librarian, Temporary Status
• Salary range: $83,162 to $95,010 (approximately, based on UC academic salary scales)
• Percent time: 100%
• Anticipated start: As early as September 2026, exact date negotiable
• Position duration: Two years, with possible renewal for a third year based on performance and funding availability

Application Window

• Open date: July 10, 2026
• Next review date: August 10, 2026 at 11:59pm Pacific Time (apply by this date for full consideration)
• Final date: October 31, 2026 at 11:59pm Pacific Time (applications accepted until this date; after review date only considered if position remains unfilled)

Job Responsibilities

• Collection Development and Stewardship
  • Collaborate with curatorial colleagues, Oral History Center staff, and partners across the UC Berkeley Library system to build and steward collections relevant to women in politics, identifying gaps and strategic opportunities.
  • Appraise and select materials for acquisition through donation or purchase across manuscripts, archives, visual materials, digital media, and print.
  • Stay informed on evolving legal and ethical considerations for provenance, IP rights, privacy, and respectful stewardship of cultural heritage materials.
  • Apply resource‑sensitive collecting practices using Total Cost of Stewardship frameworks.
• Donor and Community Relations
  • Develop collaborative relationships with communities and individuals represented in the collections, including activists, elected officials, political organizations, and social and civil rights movements.
  • Partner with Bancroft Library leadership, Friends of the Bancroft Library, and UC Berkeley Library Development Office to build and nurture philanthropic support.
• Technical Services Collaboration
  • Work with Bancroft Technical Services on appraisal, accessioning, cataloging, archival processing, and arrangement to ensure discoverability and accessibility.
• Research Services and User Support
  • Collaborate with Public Services colleagues to promote collection use by faculty, students, researchers, and the public; participate in fellowship selection committee.
  • Provide excellent service, friendly reception, and positive research interactions for all users.
• Teaching and Instruction
  • Leverage museum holdings to prepare and lead instruction sessions, including material evaluation, lesson plan development, and collaboration with faculty on assignments and learning outcomes.
  • Promote inclusive teaching practices and accessibility; strengthen instructional collaborations across the university and integrate the collections into new and existing courses.
• Collection Interpretation
  • Highlight under‑researched materials and interpret collections for diverse audiences through exhibitions, publications, lectures, tours, presentations, and conferences.
  • Develop public programs and events in collaboration with Bancroft staff, Oral History Center, and campus partners.
• Outreach and Communications
  • Contribute to outreach activities, blogs, social media, publicity, and public events raising awareness of the library’s collections documenting women in politics.
• Internal Collaboration
  • Participate as part of a curatorial team sustaining collection development, scholarly and educational outreach, description, digitization, preservation, and research.
  • Engage in library projects, committees, policy decisions, and strategic planning.
• External Liaison Work
  • Serve as liaison with other library selectors, academic departments, and campus museums, including the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Hearst Museum, Berkeley Art Museum, Pacific Film Archive, and Ethnic Studies Library.
  • Collaborate across the UC Berkeley Library system to identify cross‑collection research and programming opportunities related to women’s political history.
• Professional Service
  • Represent the Bancroft and contribute to professional organizations at local, regional, national, and international levels, advancing visibility of the library’s collections and scholarly engagement.

UC Berkeley librarians participate in library‑wide planning, governance, and shared decision‑making. Advancement is partially based on professional contributions beyond the primary assignment; the successful candidate will demonstrate evidence or promise of such contributions to the library, campus, UC System, and profession.

UC Berkeley Library supports a culture where all employees thrive. UC professional librarians are academic appointees represented by the University Council – American Federation of Teachers. Position is in the bargaining unit and includes benefits such as professional development leave, vacation leave, sick leave, and health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, along with retirement participation.

Basic Qualifications

• Advanced degree or enrollment in an advanced degree program.

Additional Qualifications

• Advanced degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a field related to the collection’s subject area; terminal degree preferred.
• MLS degree from an ALA‑accredited library school or equivalent.
• Understanding of the specific histories, cultures, and themes relevant to the library’s collections.
• Experience with research and teaching trends, methods, and best practices related to special collections.
• Demonstrated dedication to user‑centered services, with experience working respectfully and effectively with diverse communities.
• Experience curating exhibitions, individually and as part of a team.
• Experience and/or familiarity with principles of archival appraisal and resource‑sensitive acquisitions / Total Cost of Stewardship models.
• Experience with professional standards for archival accessioning and processing.
• Experience and success with donor relations.
• Awareness of copyright laws and permissions, and related legal and ethical issues in acquiring cultural heritage materials.
• Excellent analytical, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, proactively, and constructively.
• Commitment to positive, solution‑driven responses to challenges; ability to work as a team member.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Library’s values.
• Experience working with people from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.
• Ability to recognize and appreciate one another’s contributions, expertise, and accomplishments, ensuring equitable access to a diverse set of collections and services.

The Bancroft Library welcomes candidates from diverse, non‑traditional backgrounds and encourages application even if all preferred qualifications are not met.

Application Requirements

• Document requirements:
  • Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
  • Cover Letter
• Reference requirements:
  • 3-5 references (contact information only)

References will be contacted only for individuals under serious consideration.

Job Location

Berkeley, CA

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement

UC Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. The University of California, Berkeley, is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in its public mission. For more information, refer to the University of California’s affirmative action and nondiscrimination policies.