University of Texas at Austin: Harry Ransom Center
Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Curator of Early Books and Manuscripts

Founded in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin is the largest university in the University of Texas System. One of the world’s finest cultural archives, the Harry Ransom Center provides access to forty-two million literary manuscripts, one million rare books, five million photographs, and over 100,000 works of art.

The Ransom Center seeks a curator, reporting to the Associate Director & Librarian, who will provide support for the Ransom Center’s extensive holdings of early books and manuscripts, including promoting access to, and use of, the collections and interpreting them for the Center’s varied audiences. These include 16th- through 18th- century printed works in the Wrenn Library, the Pforzheimer collection of early modern books and manuscripts, the Recusant collection, the Queen Anne collection, and extensive holdings of 18th-century books and periodicals. The Pforzheimer collection is internationally known for first and important editions of plays, poems, novels, essays, polemical writings, and translations of the most important English writers from 1475 to 1700. Caxton, Spenser, Shakespeare, Milton, Marvell, Donne, Dryden, Congreve, Marlowe, and Bacon, among many others, are represented.

The Pforzheimer Curator will participate in a variety of interpretive activities (writing, exhibitions, speaking, etc.) that promote a greater appreciation for the Ransom Center’s early book and manuscript holdings, as well as development activities in support of the collection. Principal responsibilities: Provides specialized reference support for researchers working in the Center’s early book and manuscript collections and supports research service operations as a member of the public services staff. Has primary responsibility for collection care of early books and manuscripts and works with conservation and other staff in setting treatment and other priorities. In collaboration with cataloging and digital services staff, promotes enhanced access to the collection by consulting on cataloging and access initiatives, including grant-funded initiatives. Selects books and manuscripts to expand and strengthen the Pforzheimer Library and refines and interprets policies for the development of early modern book and manuscript collections, taking into account existing strengths, trends in scholarship and book history, as well as classroom use. Represents the Ransom Center within professional and scholarly communities related to early modern book and manuscript history.

Required Qualifications: Ph.D. in English literature or history (or related discipline), with a strong record of scholarly publication preferred. Master’s degree in Library Science or three or more years’ experience with early modern book and manuscript collections in a research library setting. Reading knowledge of at least one European language, Latin preferred. Knowledge of bibliography and the history of the book and familiarity with early modern paleography. Understanding of the appropriate roles of digital surrogates in a research environment and familiarity with trends in digital librarianship. Familiarity with rare book cataloging principles and standards. Record of participation in scholarly or professional organizations at the national or international level.

Salary: $65,000-80,000 depending on qualifications

Benefits: Benefits include annual accrued leave, paid holidays, and health insurance options. Eligible for Optional Retirement Program. Deferred compensation and tax-sheltered annuity programs available. Professional travel funding available.

Application procedure: Go to https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/hr/ jobs/nlogon/search and refer to job number 140509010606. Applicants must complete the online job application and must also submit online a letter of interest, a current resume, and contact information for three references.

Further information available from Dr. Richard W. Oram, Associate Director & Hobby Foundation Librarian, Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin, roram@austin.utexas.edu.

Review of applications begins August 15, 2014.