Music Collections Specialist

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your knowledge, skills, and experiences that are relevant to this position. Due to system limitations, please submit both the cover letter and resume as one file. For questions about this posting or to request accommodations, please contact [email protected].

Job Summary

The Music Collections Specialist will manage project work supporting the selection, processing, access, and disposition of music materials, focusing on the Music Library's backlog of undescribed special collections. In collaboration with the music librarians, you will help sort, review, rehouse, prepare, and route materials for retention, processing, offsite storage, or deaccessioning.

The Music Collections Specialist will carry out the technical processing of musical scores to prepare them for circulation. This includes physical processing and associated tasks in our library management system, Alma.

You will report to the Head of the Music Library as part of the Arts & Humanities team.

Responsibilities*

Collection support activities including the following or similar (55%):

• Collaborate with Music Librarians to support collection development through gift evaluation, print and electronic resource management, materials deselection, and related activities
• Perform condition assessment, sorting, rehousing, inventories, and other related activities involved in the processing of undescribed music special collections
• Finding aid creation or other basic description work
• Other targeted activities to support music collection development

Process music materials, including the following (40%):

• Prepare materials for binding and ensure housing or rehousing of physical materials, including placing work orders in Alma
• Inscribe materials with their call number
• Insert circulation notes into Alma
• Verify item details for accuracy within their Alma records
• Process incoming material shipments, sorting materials for cataloging, shelf preparation, serials check-in, etc.
• Work with other library departments, such as preservation/conservation, labeling, and cataloging, to manage technical processing workflows for scores

Professional Development (5%):

• Participation in library meetings, appropriate staff development workshops, and other relevant events
• Collaboration with staff across the library to promote unit and library goals

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Three years of experience in a library setting or equivalent professional environment
• Ability to read music, distinguish among printed music formats, and interpret music terminology
• Experience using online catalogs, databases, and web-based resources in a networked environment
• Demonstrated ability to complete complex and detail-oriented procedures accurately and efficiently

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience using a library management system, preferably Alma
• Advanced bibliographic and subject knowledge of the field of Western classical music, demonstrated through a music degree or relevant experience
• Bibliographic knowledge of German, French, and/or Italian

Why Work at Michigan?

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. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Modes of Work

The mode of work is onsite. Work agreements are reviewed annually and are subject to change depending on the business needs of the hiring department, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about work modes.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by University Staff United, AFT Local 284, AFL-CIO, which represents Employees in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.