"Curator of Literary and Poetry Collections"

Job Description

Department: Collection Development, The Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Position Availability: Immediately/Timeline ex. Summer, Fall, Spring

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Collection Development, the Curator of Literary and Poetry Collections is responsible for the development, management, and promotion of the Rose Library's significant collections related to modern and contemporary poetry and literature. These collections include the papers of writers, poets, and critics, the records of publishers and presses, and rare books and literary manuscripts, with exceptional strengths in Irish literature, modern poetry, counterculture, African American writers, and Georgia and Southern writers. The curator also stewards the Rose's print collections, including the Raymond Danowski Poetry Library, an extensive collection of more than 75,000 volumes of English-language poetry. As part of the Collection Development team at Rose Library, the Curator plays a significant role in setting strategic directions for Rose Library Collections and works alongside colleagues to connect collections with a broad audience.

Flexible Workplace: This position offers some possibility for flexible work arrangements; however, the expectation is that the successful candidate will work primarily on-site.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

• Selects materials for acquisition through donation or purchase to build and maintain meaningful and useful research collections, working closely with Collection Services to consider and ensure the library's ability to steward collections responsibly.
• Builds relationships with donor communities, faculty, and other research audiences to ensure the long-term vitality of the collections.
• Promotes engagement with the collections, in collaboration with internal and external partners, through outreach that includes public programming and other innovative forms of engagement.
• Contributes to instruction and researcher services, creating a direct and vital connection to researcher, faculty, student, and community interests and demonstrating a commitment to teamwork.
• Participates as a member of the library and university community by maintaining visibility on campus, serving on various committees, and incorporating literary collections in the cultural life of the university.
• Contributes to the library and professional community through committee service, conference presentations, and/or scholarship.

Preferred and Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• ALA-accredited master's degree in library and information science OR equivalent education and experience, e.g. collection development expertise demonstrated by direct experience with acquisitions processes.
• Minimum of two years of experience with collection development of rare materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Subject expertise in poetry, literature, or a related field, demonstrated through advanced coursework or commensurate experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team.

Application Details

Join Our Information Session: Curator of Literary and Poetry Collections

Date: June 3, 2025
Time: 3:00–4:00 PM (ET)
Details: Learn more about the role, our collections, and what we're looking for in the next curator.

If you're interested and available to join, please register here to receive the Zoom webinar link: https://emory.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CQBnBmMzShqG9RzHbqqO3w

Application Procedures: Interested candidates should review the application requirements and apply online at https://apply.interfolio.com/167978.

Applications may be submitted as Word or PDF attachments and must include:

• 1) Current resume/vita detailing education and relevant experience.
• 2) Cover letter describing qualifications and experience.
• 3) Please describe what makes a cohesive and effective team. What qualities or actions do you think contribute to team success, and how do they influence performance and productivity? Describe the role you would play in creating a work environment that allows all employees to contribute their best work toward achieving the university's mission. Please limit your response to no more than 3 paragraphs.
• 4) In a separate document list the names, email addresses, and telephone numbers of 3 professional references including a current or previous supervisor.

Candidates applying by June 20, 2025, will receive priority consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is successfully filled. Emory is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and encourages applications and nominations from women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans.

General Information: Professional librarians at Emory Libraries are 12-month faculty-equivalent positions evaluated annually with assigned ranks renewable for 3 or 5 years based on experience and background. Appropriate professional leave and funding is provided. Depending on educational credentials and position, librarians may be considered for a shared/dual appointment between the library and academic department as a faculty member.

Description of Institution and Library: Emory University is internationally recognized for its outstanding liberal arts college, superb professional schools, and one of the South's leading health care systems. Emory's beautiful, leafy main campus is located in Atlanta's historic Druid Hills suburb and is home to 8,332 undergraduates and 7,687 graduate and professional students.