Special Collections Curator
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
Boston College Libraries seeks a Special Collections Curator to develop collections of rare and unique materials centered on people and ideas that have contributed to the shaping of global cultures and societies, especially those pertaining to Boston College’s distinctive Jesuit, Catholic intellectual and spiritual heritage and its historical origins serving immigrant communities, particularly those of Irish descent.
Reporting to and working in close collaboration with the Associate University Librarian for Scholarly Resources and Burns Librarian, the Curator will acquire materials for the John J. Burns Library of rare books, special collections, and archives. The Curator will strategize with fellow BC Libraries’ staff and faculty members on collecting opportunities to support both traditional and emerging areas of teaching, learning, and research, and help to formulate and communicate collecting priorities and successes.
The Curator will cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective donors and collectors, members of the rare book and manuscript trade, and professional and scholarly communities. The Curator will also contribute to the interpretation and promotion of Burns Library collections through the organization of programs and events, and through presentations, talks, and publications. The Curator may also be asked to assist with the creation of physical and online exhibits, facilitation of instructional sessions, and responses to reference questions. In addition, the Curator may be invited to collaborate in enhancing the discoverability and utility of Burns Library collections through digital scholarship and selection of materials for digitization.
The Curator conducts research on potential acquisitions to assess their significance and relevance to Burns Library’s collecting aims and negotiate favorable terms for their acquisition. The Curator understands and applies evolving legal and ethical considerations for provenance, intellectual property rights, and privacy. The Curator upholds professional standards, engaging responsibly and imaginatively with the complex tasks of building primary source collections. Depending on the incumbent’s linguistic skills, disciplinary knowledge, and evolving BC Libraries’ needs, the Curator may also be offered opportunities to contribute to the development of the Libraries’ general collections in coordination with subject liaison librarians.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in library or information science or an advanced degree in an academic discipline related to Burns Library collections.
- At least two years of experience working with rare books, manuscripts, or archives.
- Reading knowledge of Latin, Greek, Irish, or modern European languages desirable.
Salary and Application Information
Title and salary commensurate with relevant experience based on the following titles and hiring ranges:
- Senior Librarian: $76,050 – $95,050; 5+ years related professional experience
- Librarian: $68,950 – $86,200; 3-5 years related professional experience
- Associate Librarian: $62,350 – $77,950; 1-3 years experience
Position will remain open until filled, with priority consideration given to applications received by October 15, 2025.
For application information, please visit: https://libguides.bc.edu/employment.
Institutional Overview and Benefits
Founded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,654 full-time undergraduates and 5,072 graduate and professional students. Ranked 37 among national universities, Boston College has 923 full-time and 1,336 FTE faculty, 2,822 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.9 billion.
Boston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on job classification eligibility:
-
Tuition remission for Employees
-
Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements
-
Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
-
Low-Cost Life Insurance
-
Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans
-
Paid Holidays Annually
-
Generous Sick and Vacation Pay
Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook
Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.
Boston College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. In concert with our Jesuit, Catholic mission, Boston College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications for women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. To learn more about how BC supports diversity and inclusion throughout the university please visit the Office for Institutional Diversity at https://www.bc.edu/diversity.
Boston College’s Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.
