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The William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan is seeking a qualified Head of Reader Services to lead all of its work related to in-house research as well as responses to remote reference requests. The Head of Reader Services supervises all operations of the Clements Library reading room, including managing reading room staff, and also oversees responses to remote reference requests. This team serves as the primary point of contact with both visiting researchers and individuals with remote reference inquiries, and serves as the liaison between researchers and the library's curatorial team.  

In addition, the Head of Reader Services acts as the primary point of contact for requests for publication permission and loans of Clements Library materials to exhibits, and serves as editor of the Clements Library's biannual magazine, The Quarto. The position reports to Paul Erickson, the Randolph G. Adams Director of the William L. Clements Library. An ideal candidate will possess a strong background in special collections library work as well as a strong orientation toward customer service. Management experience is required, as is a familiarity with (or interest in) pre-1900 U.S. history and culture.

The William L. Clements Library is a University of Michigan library that houses original resources for the study of U.S. history and culture from the fifteenth through the nineteenth century. Its mission is to collect and preserve primary source materials, to make them available for research, and to create an environment that supports and encourages scholarly investigation of our nation's past.

For more information, please visit our website: William L. Clements Library

• Responsible for the optimization of the research environment and patron experience
• Provides procedural direction and management of Reading Room services and staff
• Primary contact for in-house researchers and liaison between researchers and curatorial staff
• Coordinate reference services for remote researchers using information platforms
• Provides preliminary research, invoices, publication permissions, and reproduction and delivery of materials
• Supplies original cataloging and description of collection materials 
• Participates and collaborates with senior management team to formulate and advise on library policies and procedures 
• Editor of The Quarto magazine
• Engages in library-wide and/or university-wide initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree
• MLIS from an ALA-accredited library school (or equivalent graduate degree in a related field)
• Minimum of five years experience in a special collections research library or similar institution
• Minimum of two years of management experience
• Familiarity with bibliographic formats and cataloguing rules, including MARC, AACR2, and RDA
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Reading knowledge of at least one language other than English
• Strong customer service orientation

The mode of work for this position is on-site. 

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

This full-time, permanent faculty position is subject to the U-M/LEO-GLAM collective bargaining agreement, which contains and settles all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. Appointment is anticipated as an Associate Archivist. The minimum salary for this position is $66,000 at the Associate level. Salary and rank are dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $66,000 - 70,000 annually.

It is the policy of the University of Michigan to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability.  Pursuant to the 2022-2025 UM LEO-GLAM agreement, each appointing unit will designate an administrative contact ("administrative designee") who is responsible for communicating with the necessary parties about accommodation requests made by Employees in that appointing unit on each campus. The Administrative Designee for the William L. Clements Library is Helen Harding. They may be reached at helnhard@umich.edu.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future.  http://benefits.umich.edu/

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.