"Special Collections Curator"

Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.

Job Description

Boston College Libraries seeks a Special Collections Curator to develop collections of rare and unique materials centered on people and ideas that have contributed to the shaping of global cultures and societies, especially those pertaining to Boston College's distinctive Jesuit, Catholic intellectual and spiritual heritage and its historical origins serving immigrant communities, particularly those of Irish descent.

Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources and Burns Librarian, the Curator will acquire materials for the John J. Burns Library of rare books, special collections, and archives. The Curator will strategize with fellow BC Libraries' staff and faculty members on collecting opportunities to support both traditional and emerging areas of teaching, learning, and research, and help to formulate and communicate collecting priorities and successes.

The Curator will cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors and collectors, members of the rare book and manuscript trade, and professional and scholarly communities. The Curator will also contribute to the interpretation and promotion of Burns Library collections through the organization of programs and events, and through presentations, talks, and publications. The Curator may also be asked to assist with the creation of physical and online exhibits, facilitation of instructional sessions, and responses to reference questions. In addition, the Curator may be invited to collaborate in enhancing the discoverability and utility of Burns Library collections through digital scholarship and selection of materials for digitization.

The Curator conducts research on potential acquisitions to assess their significance and relevance to Burns Library's collecting aims and negotiate favorable terms for their acquisition. The Curator understands and applies evolving legal and ethical considerations for provenance, intellectual property rights, and privacy. The Curator upholds professional standards, engaging responsibly and imaginatively with the complex tasks of building primary source collections. Depending on the incumbent's linguistic skills, disciplinary knowledge, and evolving BC Libraries' needs, the Curator may also be offered opportunities to contribute to the development of the Libraries' general collections in coordination with subject liaison librarians.

Position opened until filled, with priority consideration given to applications received by October 15, 2025. Title and salary commensurate with relevant experience, based on the following titles and full-time equivalent hiring ranges: Senior Librarian: $76,050 - $95,050; 5+ years related professional experience; Librarian: $68,950 - $86,200; 3-5 years related professional experience; Associate Librarian: $62,350 - $77,950; 1-3 years experience.

Requirements

• Master's degree in library or information science or an advanced degree in an academic discipline related to Burns Library collections.
• At least two years of experience working with rare books, manuscripts, or archives.
• Reading knowledge of Latin, Greek, Irish, or modern European languages desirable.

Please submit BOTH a Cover letter and Resume.

Closing Statement

Boston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on your job classification eligibility: Tuition remission for Employees; Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements; Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance; Low-Cost Life Insurance; Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans; Paid Holidays Annually; Generous Sick and Vacation Pay; Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook. Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process. Boston College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected category, including disability and protected veteran status. Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.