Who We Are
Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.
Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.
About the Position
Provide general and specialized reference and access to Special Collections, including rare books and manuscripts. Serves as backup for providing access to Visual Resources Collection. Prepare and deliver specialized special collections displays and instruction sessions for visitors including students, donors, Teacher Institute participants, and other guests. Develop Special Collections through purchases and gifts of rare books, manuscripts, newspapers, etc. in alignment with library’s collection development policy. With Senior Librarian for Special Collections, ensure the safety, security, and longevity of Special Collections through space planning, and participation in library-wide collections emergency, collections management, and collection development policies.
Main Duties
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Reference and Outreach: Provides general and specialized reference and access to Special Collections, including rare books and manuscripts. Serves as backup for providing access to Visual Resources Collection. Prepares and delivers specialized special collections displays and instruction sessions for visitors including students, donors, Teacher Institute participants, and other guests. Develops Special Collections exhibitions for library gallery. Promotes Special Collections through writing, lectures, and social media. Serves as library’s social media liaison.
Collection Development and Management: Develops Special Collections through purchases and gifts of rare books, manuscripts, newspapers, etc. in alignment with library’s collection development policy and in consultation with Executive Director and Senior Librarian for Special Collections. With Senior Librarian for Special Collections, ensures the safety, security, and longevity of Special Collections through space planning, and participation in library-wide collections emergency, collections management, and collection development policies. Catalogs rare books, manuscripts, newspapers, and maps in the integrated library system, OCLC, TMS, and Orange Logic. Identifies and prioritizes the conservation needs of Special Collections and coordinates treatment of items with internal and external conservators.
Digital Initiatives: Advances digital access, data preservation, and the use of emerging technologies, including AI-driven approaches to archival discovery and use.
Rights and Reproductions: Assists Sr. Librarian for Special Collections with requests for reproduction and permission to publish for images, including reference service, publication contracts, clearances for image use, processing orders and invoices, coordinating activities with the Media Collections and Museum Collections Studio, invoicing, and copyright.
This job description reflects the general responsibilities of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may evolve over time based on operational needs.
Required Education and Experience:
Required:
- MS Library Science (MLS)/Master of Library Information Science (MLIS) from an Americal Library Association (ALA)-accredited program.
- One or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in special collections environment, including knowledge of antiquarian materials trade and experience developing and delivering instructional sessions with primary sources.
Preferred:
- Advanced degree in American history, art history, or other subject related to the mission of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
- Specialization in rare books and manuscripts is highly preferred.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ability to articulate vision for the value of special collections to learning, research, teaching, and broad community engagement to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation staff and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated written and oral communication skills along with ability to promote a positive team environment
- Experience working with Ex Libris Alma and Primo, OCLC Connexion, Virginia Heritage Project, Orange Logic, From the Page, TMS, and Omeka, or comparable systems.
Key Skills / Competencies:
Knowledge of libraries and special collections; strong communication skills in writing and with groups and colleagues
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
Constantly (5-8 hrs/shift)
Frequently (2-5 hrs/shift)
Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)
Lifting up to 50 lbs. (with assistance)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Lifting up to 100 lbs. (with assistance)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
More than 100 lbs. (with assistance)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Work near moving mechanical parts:
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Fumes/airborne particles:
Occasionally (up to 2 hrs/shift)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Rarely (does not exist as regular part of the job)
Typical Work Schedule:
Regular/FT / 40 hours per week
Compensation Disclaimer: The compensation listed below for this position represents the anticipated hiring range and is provided in accordance with Virginia pay transparency requirements. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as the selected candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, education, certifications, internal equity, and the specific requirements of the role.
Range: $51,300 to $76,900
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
