Curator of the Iowa Women's Archives
The University of Iowa Libraries
Special Collections and Archives
Curator of the Iowa Women’s Archives
The Libraries intends to hire for one position at either the Expert Librarian classification (PLB3/5A) or the Senior Librarian classification (PLB4/6A), based on the qualifications of the successful candidate.
The University of Iowa Libraries seeks an innovative, collaborative, and service-oriented archivist to serve as Curator of the Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives. Under the general direction of the Director of Special Collections & Archives, the Curator administers the Iowa Women’s Archives [IWA] and develops, manages, promotes, and makes accessible collections focused on Iowa women’s and gender history.
The Curator of the Iowa Women’s Archives serves as a leader for this unit within the broader Special Collections & Archives department and collaborates closely with the Director of Special Collections & Archives and the Associate Curator of the IWA to develop and set the direction for the Iowa Women’s Archives. The Curator supervises the Women in Politics Archivist and graduate assistants and works with other IWA staff to strengthen and develop the IWA. They also collaborate and consult with other department staff such as the Lead Outreach and Instruction Librarian, the Lead Public Services Librarian, and those working in collection development roles to enhance cohesive engagement with the community and coordinated development of the department as a whole.
The Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives
Established in 1992, the Archives is named for its founders, two Des Moines women who conceived the idea of a repository that would preserve the history of Iowa women. Inspired by the vision of its founders, the Louise Noun – Mary Louise Smith Iowa Women’s Archives nourishes creative research, learning, and teaching and has a robust outreach program to gather and preserve the history of Iowa women, their families, and their communities from all walks of life and of groups underrepresented in archives. Through its programs and online resources, the Archives serves a broad audience ranging from students and scholars to the general public. The IWA holds approximately 1200 collections.
Specific duties and responsibilities:
Select, Acquire, Organize, Preserve, and Provide Information Resources and Services
- Represent the IWA in collection development work; oversee appraisal decisions, organization, and description of relevant collections.
- Explore new areas for collection development and opportunities to expand on existing collection strengths, especially in ways that welcome a wider cross-section of the campus community, while working in close coordination with other staff both inside and outside of the department.
- Collaborate with colleagues working in areas of collection development, archival and manuscript processing, cataloging, conservation, digitization, and instruction.
- Actively participate in the SCA Collections Group, engaging in conversations around accessions and deaccessions, workflow and procedure updates, and policy creation across repositories.
- Identify potential candidate materials for reformatting and/or digitization within personal areas of expertise and responsibilities.
Instruction, Consultation, and Research Services
- Interpret and promote the use of collection material through outreach activities to and instruction of undergraduate, graduate, and community classes. Plan pedagogical strategies or activities advancing course goals or aligning with visitor interests.
- Support the Libraries’ instruction and outreach program, including working with university faculty to increase usage of resources in support of learning and research.
- Plan and assist with physical and digital exhibits, events, and programs.
- Support day-to-day operations in the Iowa Women’s Archives. Provide reference services via phone, email, and in person on a variety of topics, especially when inquiries relate to personal areas of expertise and responsibilities.
Leadership/Staff and Resource Management/Financial Responsibility
- Supervise P&S staff members and graduate research assistants in the IWA.
- Identify opportunities to spend budget allocations effectively and responsibly.
- Liaise with donors and prospective donors, in coordination with the Director of Special Collections and Archives and development staff.
- Administer the Linda and Richard Kerber Travel Grant for research in the IWA.
- Contribute to department-level planning and the formulation of new policies and procedures.
Continuous Learning & Skills Development
- Keep abreast of developments in archival standards and trends, applying new rules, interpretations, and techniques as appropriate.
- Grow knowledge of cultures, languages, materials, and other ancillary subjects related to collections.
- Foster the professional development of staff that contributes to their individual career goals, the profession, and the organization to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing information landscape.
- Additional job duties as assigned based on individual knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Professional Contributions
- Contribute to the profession through service, research, publishing, and teaching.
- Participate in relevant library and university-wide activities and committees
Required Qualifications:
- A graduate degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited institution or international equivalent, or a graduate degree in archival studies.
- Formal coursework or training in archival management and theory
- For appointment at the Expert Librarian level:
- At least 4 years of professional experience working in an archives or special collections, including the physical handling of archival collections
- For appointment at the Senior Librarian level:
- At least 6 years of professional experience working in an archives or special collections, including the physical handling of archival collections, at least 2 of which involved substantial managerial/administrative responsibilities
- Knowledge of and experience in implementing current trends and best practices in the archival field, including familiarity with technologies and best practices in core functions such as appraisal, description, digitization, preservation, and access.
- Supervisory experience
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, and collaboration are essential
- Demonstrated ability to support a welcoming and respectful environment in a job-related experience, an academic setting, and/or the community
Desired Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in US History, American Studies, or related field, preferably with an emphasis on women’s and/or gender history
- Experience with public history, including programming, events, and exhibitions
- Evidence of competence in managing change in complex environments
- Familiarity with digital standards and experience working with born digital collections
- Professional engagement at regional or national level demonstrating evidence of leadership and continuing significant achievement
Application Details:
Applications are only accepted through the Jobs@UIOWA website.
In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and mark them as “relevant files” when you upload the documents:
- Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet each of the required and any desired qualifications of this position. To ensure strongest consideration, applicants are encouraged to review all required qualifications and state directly how they meet each of them.
Current resume
The University of Iowa Libraries will be hiring at one of two classification levels within this requisition. You must indicate in your cover letter the classification (Expert or Senior Librarian) you wish to be considered for or indicate both. See qualifications above for additional information about years of experience required for the different classifications.
This job ad will be posted through May 17, 2026, and may be removed from posting and filled any time after that date. Please contact andrea-rost@uiowa.edu if you have any questions about the position.
The hiring salary range for this position at the Expert Librarian classification is $65,000 - $90,000 and at the Senior Librarian classification is $75,000 - $120,000.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
This position is eligible for on-campus and/or hybrid remote work within Iowa, with the majority of work time being on campus, and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
