Head of Historical Collections of The University

With its five locations, the University Library Basel is one of the most important public information centres in the region. With holdings of around 7.5 million print and e-resources, half a million of visitors per year as well as its significant historical holdings dating back to the 8th century, it is one of the largest academic libraries in Switzerland. At the same time, the University Library Basel is the cantonal library of Basel-Stadt and open to the public. In its role as a mediator between science and society, it offers readers and researchers an attractive study and meeting space. The Historical Collections cover manuscripts, archives/letters, rare books and images (maps, portraits, bookplates). The new Head of Department will play a decisive role in shaping the profile and future services of the Historical Collections. She/he will actively support and accompany the digital transformation and respond to new developments in research and teaching. The department, which has 50 employees (30 full-time equivalents), is divided into five subdepartments and manages a diverse range of cultural heritage materials. Both the financial resources and the broad expertise of the staff allow for an attractive creative leeway. The department is also heavily involved in outreach activities for the historically-interested public at large, e.g. by means of evening lectures, exhibitions, digital platforms or other innovative formats. The new Head of Department will act as an enabler and networker and use contacts to other library departments and regional, national and international research and cultural institutions to pick up on trends, set new standards, drive innovation and offer customer-oriented services. In doing so, she/he will consistently follow the principles of "open data" and "open science". As a member of the Library's Executive Board, she/he will be involved in implementing the current library strategy and in shaping future strategies. **Your position** As Head of Historical Collections you will be responsible for: - the management and development of a department with five subdepartments, incl. staff development - representing the Department or Library in external bodies and in the public sector - participation in the Library's Executive Board and chairing of various internal and/or cross-sectional committees - offering high-quality and customer-friendly services - cultivating contacts, networks, internal and external partnerships in order to establish and operate common infrastructures, projects and fundraising activities - expanding co-operation with the university's Research Data Management Network and university research projects in support of Open Science and Digital Humanities As Head of Department with collection responsibilities, you are expected to make your expertise and your network available to the University Library Basel, to grow the collection in a meaningful way and to participate in its presentation. **Your profile** - very good knowledge of and experience in building or dealing with historical collections, especially in the field of digitisation - management and leadership experience; a broad local and national network in the research or library sector; good presentation skills and pleasant interaction with clients - proven research experience, familiarity with data management as well as with current developments in the academic environment - a university degree, preferably with doctorate; completed training in the library, archive and information sector or corresponding experience in memory institutions - knowledge of Basel history from the Middle Ages onwards or willingness to acquire this knowledge - language skills: spoken and written German, French and English; knowledge of Latin desirable. **We offer you** - a challenging and varied job at the interface of librarianship, cultural heritage preservation and academic research - extensive creative freedom to develop and advance innovative projects - work at an institution with an internationally significant historical collection - the opportunity to develop a future-oriented concept for the use of the historic holdings for science and the public with the project "Neubau Hebelschanze" - attractive employment conditions and social benefits in accordance with the guidelines of the University of Basel. **Application / Contact** Have we aroused your interest? Your contact for this post: Dr Alice Keller Director University Library Basel T: +41 61 207 31 31 Apply