HISTORY OF MEDICINE, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS COORDINATOR

Falk Library - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (24009290)
Job Description: History of Medicine and Special Collections Coordinator
Position Overview: The History of Medicine and Special Collections Coordinator is responsible for the overall management, development, and promotion of the Health Sciences Library System’s (HSLS) historical collections and programs which includes more than 10,000 rare medical books and manuscripts, as well as print and unique materials related to local medical research and more than 10,000 secondary sources in HSLS’s Medical Humanities collection. This position leads efforts in curating, digitizing, utilizing, and promoting historical health sciences resources in support of health sciences research, education, and engagement.
Working in close collaboration with the Associate Director for Digital Library Services, the Digital Library Services Librarian, liaison librarians, and other key stakeholders, the Coordinator will spearhead innovative initiatives that enhance the visibility and impact of the collections and integrate them into the broader academic and healthcare communities.
This is an appointment stream faculty role offering a rewarding opportunity to contribute to our innovative library environment at a leading research institution. Pitt provides an outstanding benefits package, including comprehensive medical plans, tuition remission, life insurance, optional dental and vision coverage, a contributory retirement plan, and more—making it one of the best in the region.

COLLECTION USE

• Provide assistance and service to internal and external audiences seeking information on the history of medicine and special collections, including locating resources, answering inquiries, and assisting with research projects.
• Offer specialized expertise and guidance on the use of historical materials, archives, and primary sources in research and scholarship.
• Develop and implement physical and virtual exhibits to enhance collection use and to introduce materials and collections to new audiences.
• Develop and implement evaluation strategies, metrics, and benchmarks to measure programmatic success and impact.

INSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION

• Develop and deliver instructional sessions, workshops, and training programs for students, faculty, and library patrons.
• Create educational materials in a variety of modalities to support self-directed learning and exploration of History of Medicine/Special Collections resources.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Library Science, History, Medical Humanities, Museum Studies, or related field; PhD preferred.
• Experience working with historical materials, archival collections, or special collections in a library, museum, or cultural heritage institution.
• Knowledge of medical history, archival principles, and best practices in collection development, cataloging, and reference services.
• Familiarity with cataloging standards, metadata schemas, (e.g., MARC, Dublin Core, OCLC), and integrated library management systems.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of users, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Understanding of the use of digital technologies, digital preservation tools, and online platforms for accessing and managing historical materials.
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in library collections, services, and programming.