Rare Materials Cataloger & Collections Manager

Davidson College Library seeks a Rare Materials Cataloger and Collections Manager to enhance discovery of our collection of rare books and historic maps. Serving as a collaborative member of the Archives & Special Collections team, this position will play a pivotal role in connecting collections to learners in Davidson’s new George Lawrence Abernethy Library by accessioning, cataloging, and digitizing rare materials, implementing collections care tasks and projects, and assisting in the design and preparation of exhibits, programs, and instruction sessions. 

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Archives and Special Collections, the Rare Materials and Collections Manager will:

• Perform original and complex copy cataloging for rare books, periodicals, and maps in Alma, the library services platform, using national standards including MARC 21 and RDA.
• Remediate and enhance legacy catalog records to improve discoverability and address harmful or outdated language in special collections description Accession purchases and donations of rare books, periodicals, and maps.
• In collaboration with the Library Systems Analyst, administer the Archives & Special Collections Library in Alma and manage integrations between Alma and Archives Space to ensure discovery of special collections across platforms,
• In collaboration with the Access and Processing Archivist, develop and document policies and workflows for describing rare materials in all formats, incorporating current best practices and emerging standards.
• Perform research on collection materials, in coordination with departmental colleagues.
• Identify materials to be used in social media, marketing, and programming.
• Digitize rare materials and add metadata for collections in a digital asset management system.
• Recommend rare books, maps, and periodicals for purchase in alignment with the collection development policy and departmental priorities.
• Provide collections care and preservation for rare books, periodicals, and maps.
• Coordinate donations and purchases of rare materials.
• Assist curators and departmental instructors with preparation for and administration of class sessions.
• Assist with the design of exhibits showcasing rare materials and support exhibition logistics
• Serve on assigned library and campus committees, steering groups, and project groups
• Monitor national trends, advances, and best practices in the care for and description of rare materials and evaluate the potential application of these strategies to the Davidson College Archives & Special Collections.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

For this job, we require:

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program
• Familiarity with the use and application of rare material description and content standards including: MARC 21, DCRM, and RDA - and a willingness to learn others as necessary
• Working knowledge of OCLC cataloging utilities
• Practice in creating and editing records in a library services platform, such as Alma or FOLIO
• Knowledge of best practices for the handling, housing, storage, and preservation of rare materials
• Awareness of current and emerging methods for the digitization and display of rare materials in a digital asset management system 

Qualities that will help you flourish in this role:

• You are enthusiastic about connecting undergraduate learners with materials from the Archives & Special Collections.
• You are a thoughtful, open-minded, collaborative colleague with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• You are motivated, adaptable, resilient, and able to change direction as the library landscape evolves
• You cultivate an optimistic mindset
• You are able to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• You are highly organized with strong project management skills
• You are committed to creating an inclusive environment that values and celebrates difference

This description indicates the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not intended to be a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications assigned to the job.

For best consideration, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application materials by October 19, 2026. 

About Us

In Fall 2027, the college’s new George Lawrence Abernethy Library will transform how our campus community learns, creates, and connects. Guided by our organizational values, we work to advance the college’s purpose in developing disciplined and creative minds for lives of leadership and service. We do this by offering expertise, space, resources, and services that facilitate research, provide access to, and foster the creation of knowledge. 

Our library staff play a critical role in expanding the global reach of traditional scholarship, preserving born-digital materials, supporting digital scholarship, and championing equitable and sustainable access to information. As Davidson embarks on a transformative campus-wide strategic plan, we are excited to explore how our expertise, programs, and resources will advance the college’s key priorities. We take pride in our collaborations with campus partners such as the John Crosland Jr. Center for Teaching and Learning, the Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the D.G. and Harriet Wall Martin Institute for Public Good– strategic alliances that highlight the library's central role in the teaching and learning mission.

We are inspired by the college's public commitment to education and reconciliation. To create an inclusive learning community and to reflect the diversity of Davidson experiences, we collaborate on projects that tell the full history of our college, develop collections in partnership with students and faculty, and create meaningful community connections. We seek a thoughtful colleague who joins us in embracing a special set of responsibilities as we articulate the college's relationship to the past, confront our present moment, and chart a hopeful future.

Davidson is a highly selective, nationally ranked, residential liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, near Charlotte. We seek to hire talented faculty and staff who are committed to achieving excellence within an inclusive community where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued.

Information about how to submit an application can be found at https://employment.davidson.edu.

Davidson is a highly selective, nationally ranked, residential liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, near Charlotte. We seek to hire talented faculty and staff who are committed to achieving excellence within an inclusive community where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are valued.