Special Collections Librarian

State of Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Arizona Research Library seeks an experienced Librarian III to lead Special Collections, including Newspaper Collection, Arizona Collection, and Reading Arizona digital resources.

You will develop, maintain, digitize, and provide access to Arizona history materials, support reference services, outreach, and grant-funded projects; serve as co-Project Director for the National Digital Newspaper Program; travel occasionally is required; a valid Arizona driver’s license is preferred.

Job description

SECRETARY OF STATE (DEPT OF STATE)

SECRETARY OF STATE (DEPT OF STATE)
The mission of the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State is to provide services throughout the state to:
Preserve our history
Promote engagement; and
Protect the future
The office strives to achieve this mission by being trusted, accessible, innovative, and secure

Special Collections Librarian

Job Location:

1901 W Madison | Phoenix, AZ 85009

Posting Details:

Salary: $24.7086 – 27.1409/hr ($51,393 - $56,453 yearly)

Grade: 20

**First Resume Review will be October 30th, 2026**

This position is supported by funding provided through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program. The position is established for the period of grant funding and is subject to funding availability, grant requirements, and project needs. Employment beyond the grant-funded period is not guaranteed.

Job Summary:

The State of Arizona Research Library, a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, seeks an experienced and service-oriented Librarian III - Special Collections Librarian to join our dedicated team in “Preserving Arizona, Providing Access.” Learn more about the Research Library here: https://azlibrary.gov/starl

The Special Collections Librarian plays a critical role within the State of Arizona Research Library team to establish a proactive service culture that ensures patrons have expedited, accurate, and relevant access to physical and digital collections that document Arizona’s history, literature, and government. This position manages the following special collections:

• Newspaper Collection The Research Library has the largest collection of historic Arizona newspapers in the state in print, microfilm, and digital formats.
• Arizona Collection The Arizona Collection is a continuation of the 1864 Territorial Library and houses a wide variety of books, periodicals, and vertical files related to Arizona’s history, government, culture, and people.
• Reading Arizona eBooks Reading Arizona (available on OverDrive/Libby) is a curated selection of nonfiction and fiction eBooks and audiobooks available to anyone in Arizona interested in Arizona topics and themes.

The Special Collections Librarian is responsible for the development, maintenance, digitization, and accessibility of these collections. The position serves as a subject matter-expert on the collections and supports reference services, outreach, and collaborative efforts with patrons, partners, and cultural institutions across the state.

The Special Collections Librarian actively participates in identifying, applying for, and executing grant-funded projects. Will serve as co-Project Director during active grant cycles of the National Digital Newspaper Program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.

This full-time position reports to the Administrator of the State of Arizona Research Library, works collaboratively across Library Services and Archives divisions, and requires occasional travel. Background check, fingerprint card, and valid Arizona driver’s license required. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Collection Development and Maintenance

• Build and develop collections by research, selecting, and acquiring new materials in multiple formats.
• Work with vendors, organizations, and donors to evaluate and accept materials consistent with collection policies.
• Oversee inventory and special projects.
• Ensure holding and metadata records are accurate and up to date for print and digital collections.

Digitization Projects and Online Tools

• Select, organize, and prepare materials for possible inclusion in the Arizona Memory Project.
• Collaborate with institutions statewide to support digitization, preservation, and access initiatives.
• Identify, apply for, and execute grant-funded projects. Serve as co-Project Director during active grant cycles of the National Digital Newspaper Program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.
• Manage Reading Arizona eBook platform, including curating featured collections of eBooks and audiobooks and providing support and training to patrons and library staff.
• Support and maintain online tools and develop research supports such as indices, inventories, and LibGuides.

Reference and Research Support

• Serve as the subject matter expert for Newspaper Collection, Arizona Collection, and Reading Arizona reference questions to on-site and remote patrons via phone, email, and in person.
• Compile and disseminate weekly Arizona news headlines to staff.

Outreach, Marketing, and Collaboration

• Develop and deliver outreach, programming, and training about Arizona’s newspapers and Arizona Collection materials.
• Monitor and report on usage statistics, identify marketing opportunities, and implement strategies to engage audiences with Reading Arizona.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform related responsibilities that advance the mission of the State of Arizona Research Library.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and current trends in library science, special collections, archives, and cultural heritage institutions.
• Collection development, appraisal, acquisition, and management of print, digital, and special collections materials.
• Library cataloging, metadata standards, controlled vocabularies, and resource discovery practices.
• Digitization methodologies, digital preservation principles, and digital collections management.
• Historical newspapers, local history collections, and primary source research methods.
• Arizona history, government, culture, literature, and information resources.
• Reference and research services, including virtual and in-person service delivery.
• Grant development, project planning, budgeting, implementation, and reporting.
• Copyright, intellectual property, licensing, and rights management as related to library collections and digital content.
• Online library platforms, discovery tools, content management systems, and emerging technologies supporting access to information.
• Outreach, instructional services, and strategies for engaging diverse audiences.

Skill in:

• Conducting advanced reference interviews and providing accurate, timely research assistance.
• Building, evaluating