Center for Public Partnerships & Research is hiring: Curator of African American

Curator of African American Experience Collections Join to apply for the Curator of African American Experience Collections role at Center for Public Partnerships & Research . 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the Curator of African American Experience Collections role at Center for Public Partnerships & Research . Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Position Overview Kenneth Spencer Research Library (KSRL) at the University of Kansas (KU) Libraries seeks a creative and collaborative curator for our established and growing African American Experience (AAE) Collections. These collections are a major area of research and focus, documenting the legacy of African American individuals, families, businesses, churches, and schools through substantial collections of correspondence, photographs, organizational, educational and business records, books, pamphlets, and newspapers. The curator will spearhead efforts to build and share collections that reflect the lives and experiences of African Americans in Kansas and the region. They will work with colleagues to develop an established, community-based collecting program that supports the teaching and research missions of the university. The curator will collaborate with KU faculty and other instructors teaching in varied subject areas, and with students and other scholars, to interpret the rich resources of the collection through instruction, reference service, and public outreach. Working collaboratively across the Libraries and the campus, the curator will also support and collaborate on robust cataloging and description, preservation, and digitization of collection materials. KSRL has built collections related to Kansas and Kansans from all walks of life since its inception and has devoted significant resources to our African American Experience collections. Reporting to the Director Kenneth Spencer Research Library, the curator will also participate in the work of Kenneth Spencer Research Library and KU Libraries as a whole and may supervise student assistants or project staff. This position will work closely with the Kansas Collection Curator and Curator of Latino/a Collections. This on-site position will require periodic in‑state travel and occasional work in the evenings or weekends. This position requires a commitment to understanding Kansas cultures and the skills to be successful as part of a collaborative professional team. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work along with some in‑state overnight stays. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment. This is a full‑time, 12‑month, tenure‑track faculty position. Rank considerations are based on professional performance, research, and service experience sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of Assistant Librarian or Associate Librarian. Professional Responsibilities (70%) Builds relationships with individuals, families, and social, business, and political communities across the state to develop African American Experience collections through purchases and donations. Consults with and supports organizations, individuals, and communities that wish to preserve and document their collections locally. Partners with library and university colleagues to integrate original resources and perspectives into classes across the KU curriculum, and to strengthen students’ primary source literacy. Participates in developing and delivering instructional and outreach programming and activities including classes and tours; physical and virtual exhibits; and posts for Spencer Library’s shared blog. Plans and staffs outreach events and activities to promote knowledge and use of the African American experience collections, including traveling exhibits and presentations to potential users and donors, groups, clubs, etc. Serves as a public point of contact for this collection, including inquiries from the media, and demonstrates the ability to advocate for the importance of historical materials in understanding the past, present, and future. Shares in providing reference assistance to students, faculty, and the public, and consults on reference requests in assigned areas of responsibility. Works collaboratively with colleagues across the Libraries to promote the collections through digital initiatives, social media, community events, K‑12 outreach, tours, and other means. Works collaboratively as a member of project teams and other groups to advance the libraries’ strategic priorities. Works collaboratively with faculty and other librarians to design and deliver library instruction to students. Research (20%) Contributes to the profession’s collective knowledge by engaging in scholarly research activity. Research may involve the publication of articles, books, book reviews, grant‑supported inquiry, or editorial work. Service (10%) Engages in service to the Libraries, the University and to professional organizations by participating in committee work, projects, and other contributory achievements. Required Qualifications for All Candidates ALA‑accredited master’s degree in library and information science or equivalent from a foreign institution by date of appointment OR a PhD in library and information science from an LIS program that also offered an ALA‑accredited master’s degree at the time the PhD was awarded. In the specialized field of archives, a graduate degree (e.g., master’s or PhD, depending on position requirements) in an appropriate field OR an archival certification by the Academy of Certified Archivists may be considered. Preferred Qualifications Outreach with African American communities, organizations, and learning the history in the region. Working with an archival repository or special collections environment, historical society, or museum. Understanding relevant subject areas, such as American Studies, African American Studies, or History. Additional Candidate Instructions Applicants should attach a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor) to this online application. Please use your cover letter to address how you meet the required and preferred qualifications. An online application must be completed to be considered for this position. Review of applications will begin on January 19th, 2026. Please submit a complete application no later than midnight on January 18th for consideration. Contact Information to Applicants Tonia Morgan morgt@ku.edu Advertised Salary Range Commensurate with experience Application Review Begins Monday, January 19, 2026 Anticipated Start Date Monday, April 6, 2026 Seniority level Mid‑Senior level Employment type Full‑time Job function Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology Industries Higher Education Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Center for Public Partnerships & Research by 2x. Get notified about new Curator of Collections jobs in Topeka Metropolitan Area . #J-18808-Ljbffr