POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Curator, Visual Resources
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2135
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Department Head, Art and Design
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR College Dean
GENERAL FUNCTION
The primary duty of the Curator of Visual Resources is managing the Art and Design Department's Slide Library, including shooting digital images or slides of works of art, masking and mounting slides, labeling slides, accessioning the digital images and slides, and making them available through circulation procedures. The Curator of Visual Resources supports faculty scholarly/teaching activities by staying abreast of recent literature and developments in the slide library/digital fields as well as in the areas of art history, studio art, graphic design, and computer art. The Curator of Visual Resources expands the library's resources available for faculty use by assisting with collection development and purchasing or producing slides and digital images to augment the existing collection and replace poor quality slides. The Curator of Visual Resources develops appropriate operational policies and regulations within guidelines established by the department and the University and allocates the budget for the slide library. The Curator, Visual Resources may teach one class each semester in their area of expertise.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree with a major in Art History or Fine Arts is required. Master's degrees in Library Science and/or Art History are preferred.
Experience: At least one year of full time professional work experience in a Slide Library, preferably as an assistant curator, is required. Experience in cataloging and a general knowledge of photographic techniques is required. Experience in operating VCRs, and slide projectors is required. An understanding of both the PC and Macintosh platforms is required; experience working with Photoshop is preferred.
Skills: Strong oral and written communication skills are required. Management skills in organizing, planning, and budgeting are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Foreign language reading ability in German, French or Italian, is preferred. Bookkeeping skills and knowledge of inventory procedures are preferred.
Effort: Occasionally required to lift and carry materials weighing up to thirty pounds. Works using a light table and computer on almost a daily basis.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Supports the instructional component of the Department of Art and Design and expands the slide library's resources by supporting areas of faculty interest and teaching and learning needs, staying abreast of recent literature and developments in the slide library/digital photography areas as well as in the areas of art history, studio art, graphic design, computer art, maintaining professional memberships, and directing all aspects of collection development.
2. Facilitates the retrieval and use of slides by maintaining the classification system and database containing the slide library's collection, and creating new cataloging areas to accommodate new genre.
3. Provides images for faculty use by producing or purchasing slides and digital images, digitizing portions of the collection, processing film, masking and mounting slides, cataloguing and filing slides and digital images, developing catalog headings, and maintaining shelf-lists, authority files, source files, and accession and circulation records.
4. Ensures the proper operation of slide library and its equipment and resources by instructing users in the operation of traditional and digital equipment, arranging for its repair or replacement when necessary, and recommending changes in the slide library to utilize new technologies and meet current and future space and storage needs.
5. Manages the operation of the slide library by developing appropriate policies and regulations, enforcing them within the guidelines established by the department and the University, supervising and training student workers as necessary, and preparing and/or reviewing proposals concerning the slide library.
6. Manages funds and allocates the budget for the slide library by recommending purchases of equipment and materials, slides, slide production materials, references materials, videos, DVDs, and computer-related supplies and peripherals.
7. Assists in the development of the monographic collection and serial subscriptions of the department's holdings in Meyer Library by ordering and tracking these purchases, keeping the faculty informed of all library activities, and serving as a liaison between the Art and Design Department and Meyer Library.
8. Assists faculty by coordinating with publishers in ordering desk/examination copies of textbooks for classroom adoption.
9. Supports the department and maintains involvement in art history and pedagogy by teaching one art history class each semester, if academic credentials allow.
10. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
11. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development classes, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Head, Art & Design.
12. Contributes to the overall success of the Department of Art & Design by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Curator of Visual Resources is supervised by the Department Head.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2017
