SUMMARY OF POSITION
The Manager of Library and Special Collections provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Colburn School Library and its archival collections, supporting the academic, artistic, and community needs of students and faculty across music and dance programs at the Conservatory, Music Academy, Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, and Community School.
The Manger oversees library operations, acquisitions, collections management, and learning resources while also serving as the institutional lead for Colburn’s special collections and archives. This position combines traditional library stewardship with forward-thinking community engagement, ensuring that library and archival resources continue to evolve alongside the changing needs of today’s students, artists, and educators.
The Manager will lead efforts to modernize and activate the library as a vibrant performing arts resource hub — one that supports research, creativity, collaboration, wellness initiatives, artistic exploration, and interdisciplinary engagement while honoring the School’s history and traditions.
Colburn’s current holdings include the Piatigorsky Archive (papers and effects of cellist Gregor Piatigorsky), the Herbert and Trudl Zipper Archival Collection (spanning five decades and documenting their lives, including the Holocaust years), the marked scores of pianist Theodore Lettvin, and the performance scores of conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen. The Manager will ensure these and future collections are preserved, activated, and meaningfully shared with the community through both traditional archival practices and dynamic programming, including performances, exhibitions, presentations, and public engagement opportunities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Library Leadership and Learning Resources
Oversee the acquisition, organization, and dissemination of physical and digital library materials, including scores, texts, audiovisual materials, periodicals, and digital resources.
Lead efforts to expand, evaluate, and thoughtfully refine library collections and learning resources across music and dance disciplines, including identifying materials for acquisition, preservation, or deaccessioning as appropriate.
Collaborate with faculty, students, and administration to assess and support evolving collection needs across academic programs.
Lead initiatives that enhance equitable access to learning resources and support student success.
Edit student recital programs and CSCM and MA concert programs to maintain consistency and accuracy in content through a collaborative editing process.
Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, digital platforms, and library systems relevant to performing arts education and research.
Work collaboratively with leadership to support accreditation standards related to library services and resources.
Oversee library operations, procedures, budgets, and related administrative functions.
Provide individual research and learning support to students, including guidance related to academic projects, presentations, and written materials.
Serve as Fulbright Program Advisor for Conservatory students, supporting applicants through the development and execution of proposals and applications.
Special Collections and Archives
Serve as the lead archivist for Colburn’s existing and future special collections.
Develop, arrange, and describe collections in accordance with archival standards and practices, including creation of finding aids and digital tools.
Maintain systems for digitization, cataloguing, and long-term preservation.
Develop and implement policies, procedures, and standards related to archival stewardship and access.
Supervise staff, student workers, interns, and volunteers supporting library and archival initiatives.
Support outreach and communications to highlight the importance of Colburn’s collections and their integration into the institution’s mission.
Community Engagement and Library Activation
Foster a welcoming and collaborative library environment that supports research, creativity, and community engagement.
Activate library and archival spaces through exhibits, performances, lectures, workshops, affinity group gatherings, and interdisciplinary programming.
Host events, presentations, and tours that engage students, faculty, donors, alumni, and the public with Colburn’s collections and resources.
Work closely with the Center for Innovation and Community Impact (CICI) to cultivate programs, partnerships, and initiatives that expand community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration across the institution.
Collaborate with departments including Wellness, Residence Life, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to support campus-wide initiatives and student engagement efforts.
Support educational programming and initiatives that connect students with institutional and community learning resources.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, Musicology, Arts Administration, or related field required.
Strong background and familiarity with music and the performing arts required.
Minimum 5 years of professional experience in libraries, archives, collections management, or related performing arts environments.
Demonstrated experience overseeing archival collections, library resources, or special collections initiatives.
Knowledge of archival standards, records management principles, and library systems.
Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with students, faculty, donors, researchers, and community partners.
Demonstrated ability to balance operational oversight with community engagement and programming initiatives.
Exceptional attention to detail, discretion, and professional judgment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Physical:
Must be able to see, hear, feel, and use hands to type and grasp objects with fingers. Primarily sedentary with intermittent standing, walking, bending, and stooping; occasional light lifting and carrying of objects weighing 25 pounds or less; light to heavy repetitive use of hands, wrists and forearms while working on a computer.
Emotional:
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving interactions and communications personally, by phone and in writing with a variety of individuals and/or groups of individuals from diverse backgrounds on a regular, on-going basis; ability to concentrate on detailed tasks for extended periods of time and/or intermittently while attending to other responsibilities; ability to work effectively under pressure on multiple tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities.
Working conditions:
Primarily indoor office environment; frequent contact with and interruptions by individuals in person or by phone.
ABOUT THE COLBURN SCHOOL
The Colburn School is a world-renowned performing arts institution located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Its mission is to provide the highest quality performing arts education at all levels of development in music and dance, and to foster a vibrant community through a wide range of performances, events, and educational activities.
The Colburn School trains students, from beginners to those about to embark on professional careers. Each year, more than 2,000 students from around the world come to Colburn to benefit from the renowned faculty, exceptional facilities, and focus on excellence that unites the community.
The academic units of the school provide a complete spectrum of music and dance education:
Conservatory of Music - The diploma- and degree-granting Conservatory of Music is distinguished by a unique all-scholarship model, renowned faculty, and outstanding performance opportunities. It prepares the highest level of collegiate musicians for professional careers.
The Music Academy is a highly selective training program for gifted young pre-collegiate musicians, designed to prepare students for conservatory study and performing careers at the highest levels of achievement. This residential program balances performance, musical instruction, and academics.
The Community School of Performing Arts welcomes students of all ages, from seven months old to adults. It offers over 120 classes each year in orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, jazz, music theory, drama, and ensembles including orchestra, choir, and chamber music.
The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute develops performers of all levels, from the pre-professional ballet program in the Dance Academy to beginners starting in Youth Dance. Students of all levels receive training in ballet, tap, and modern genres as part of a comprehensive dance education.
Center for Innovation and Community Impact was created to empower the musical and dance leaders of tomorrow by nurturing students’ passion and ability to serve their communities, preparing them for sustainable careers, and embracing the development of innovative ideas. The Colburn School partners with 15 Los Angeles Unified School District schools, 13 of which receive Title I funding, to provide interactive and engaging concerts and instructional sessions to 5,000 students every year.
The Colburn School is currently constructing a transformational addition to our downtown Los Angeles campus, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry with acoustics by acclaimed Nagata Acoustics. This monumental project reflects a deep commitment to both the community and our students and will feature world-class performance venues and innovative learning spaces that foster collaboration and interdisciplinary partnerships throughout the region.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
This is a full-time, exempt, onsite position with a regular working schedule of 40 hours per week Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. The pay range is $70,304 - $80,000 depending on skills, experience, and ability level. The Colburn School offers excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance plans; Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life Insurance plans; paid sick leave and vacation; a 403(b)-retirement plan with a generous employer matching contribution.
TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume through the Colburn School’s Careers portal at www.colburnschool.edu/careers. (http://www.colburnschool.edu/careers)
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.
