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Archives & Special Collections Librarian

Knox College


Job Location:

Galesburg, IL - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 50000 - 60000
Posted: 9 September 2026 (22 days ago)
Application Deadline: 7 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Archives and Special Collections Librarian

Knox College invites applications for the position of Archives and Special Collections Librarian (ASCL). The ASCL will join a library staff focused on student success and will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty to develop active and immersive learning experiences for students. The ASCL will also play an important role in developing exhibits and programs that engage the campus community with the library and Knoxs history including celebrating the upcoming centennial of historic Seymour Library in 2028.


The ASCL provides leadership for the Archives and Special Collections and administers its major operations including instruction research services exhibits and outreach description and processing and collection development. The position offers considerable autonomy and opportunities to build partnerships across the college. The successful candidate will work with the library director to set priorities among these responsibilities while maintaining a welcoming accessible and inclusive environment for all researchers.

The ASCL also participates actively in the life of the library and the position may include opportunities to serve as a liaison to the history department take the lead on digitization projects and assist with the development of Knoxs institutional repository.

The position reports to the Director of the Library. Professional development is encouraged and funding is available for conferences and workshops.

Key Responsibilities:


  • Directs planning of archives and special collections operations to provide access to the campus community alumni and outside researchers.

  • Provides academic leadership for the archives including developing archives instruction classes teaching and collaborating with Knox faculty and working closely with students in engaging with Knoxs history.

  • Designs and creates engaging exhibits on the colleges history and other topics from Knoxs collection.

  • Supports the collection organization description and access of institutional records that document the history and activities of Knox College.

  • Partners with Advancement and Alumni Engagement staff to connect alumni with Knox and Knox history.

  • Collaborates with the Collection Strategies Librarian to ensure collections are discoverable.

  • Supervises the Archives Assistant (currently a 20 hours a week position) and five undergraduate student workers including assigning work and providing training and feedback.

  • Actively participates with library events such as orientation activities and contributes to library planning and assessment.

  • Oversees access to the College Art Collection and collaborates with the Art Department to provide student educational opportunities.

  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the Library.


Minimum Education Required:


  • Masters degree from an ALA-Accredited program in library and information science or a Masters in history public history or related fields.

Minimum Experience Required:


  • 2-3 years of experience in an archives/special collections or academic library or equivalent combination of education and experience. The 2-3 years experience could be from internships or positions held while in graduate school or before.

  • Recent graduates with solid internship and work experience should apply.


Required Qualifications:


  • Knowledge of professional archives standards and their application in an academic setting.

  • Engage with diverse perspectives communicate clearly and build productive partnerships across campus.

  • Knowledge of or interest in learning about the history mission and distinctive educational value of liberal arts colleges.

  • Ability to work in a fast paced environment on a variety of projects.

  • Commitment to Knoxs mission of building a diverse and inclusive community and to collecting materials that reflect Knoxs diversity.


Preferred qualifications

  • Supervisory experience (student worker supervisory experience acceptable).

  • Experience facilitating research consultations and responding to reference questions.

  • Higher education instructional experience; instructional experience in other environments will be considered.

  • Experience working respectfully and effectively with diverse populations.

Summary Pay Range: Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors job level market location job-related knowledge skills individual performance and experience. Please note that pay is only one component of total compensation.

Benefits:

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

FSA/ HSA/ FSA Dependent Care

Employer-Paid Basic Life & LTD

Voluntary Life

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Parental Leave

In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837 Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex pregnancy gender identity or expression race color creed national or ethnic origin religion or religious affiliation sexual orientation or preference age marital or family status disability veteran status or other status protected by applicable federal state or local law in admission financial aid employment athletics or any other aspect of its educational programs or addition Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from discriminating on the basis of sex.

The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Non-Discrimination is the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance. Any inquiries regarding policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment including Title IX sexual harassment as well as the policy prohibiting hazing should be directed to the Director of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance identified below. Staff in the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance are available to meet with or talk to students staff and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of Non-Discrimination and the Colleges policies and procedures.

Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance
Old Jail 12 Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg IL 61401
Phone:
Email:

Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance the United States Department of Educations Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights for additional information.

Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office
500 W Madison St. Suite 1475
Chicago IL 60661-4544
Phone:
Email:

Inquiries regarding the Colleges policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) should be directed to the ADA/504 Coordinator identified below:

Knox College ADA/504 Coordinator
Jennie Hemingway PhD
Old Jail 12 Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg IL 61401
Phone:
Email:

Employees requesting accommodations may contact:

Human Resources
52 W South St. Alumni Hall Suite 100 Campus Box K-200
Galesburg IL 61401
Phone: or
Email:

Students requesting accommodations may contact:

Director of Disability Support Services
Patricia Harden
Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 Campus Box K183
340 South West Street
Phone:
Email:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in certain aspects of the candidate review process for this position; however all employment decisions will be made by a human.




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Knox College is a nationally ranked liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, devoted to providing a personalized education in a diverse and vibrant community.

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