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Special Collections Librarian (Assistant Professor) - Murphy Library

Universities of Wisconsin · La Crosse, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 22, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you cultivated a relationship with a donor. How did it turn into an acquisition, or why did it not?

What they are checking: Whether they can build trust with donors and set realistic expectations about what the library can accept and preserve.

You will co-manage the unit with a colleague. Tell me about a time you shared leadership of a project. How did you divide the work?

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate decisions and responsibilities without gaps or turf conflicts in a co-managed unit.

What would you do

Special Collections has a processing backlog. How would you decide what to tackle first?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize by research value, risk and access needs, and use minimal processing where it makes sense.

A donor offers a large collection but wants restrictions on access for fifty years. How do you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh donor wishes against access, storage cost and the library's mission and negotiate terms.

How would you handle a fragile item that a researcher urgently wants to handle in person?

What they are checking: Whether they can balance preservation and access, offering alternatives like surrogates while still meeting the researcher's need.

About the work

Walk me through how you would appraise a donated box of a retired faculty member's papers. What stays and what goes?

What they are checking: Whether they apply clear appraisal criteria tied to a collection policy rather than keeping everything or deciding by instinct.

What descriptive standards and tools, like DACS, EAD or ArchivesSpace, have you used, and how would you apply them here?

What they are checking: Whether they can produce consistent, discoverable finding aids using accepted archival standards.

How would you manage university institutional records under a local classification, and how is that different from collecting personal papers?

What they are checking: Whether they understand records retention and the university's obligations, which differ from voluntary collecting.

This is a teacher-scholar position. How would you teach undergraduates using primary sources from Special Collections?

What they are checking: Whether they can design instruction that builds students' research skills, which matters for a faculty librarian's teaching role.

What scholarship or professional service would you pursue to meet tenure expectations at a teaching-focused university?

What they are checking: Whether they have a realistic research and service plan that fits a tenure-track librarian appointment.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Universities of Wisconsin.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Position Title: Special Collections Librarian (Assistant Professor) - Murphy Library Job Category: Faculty Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Assistant Professor Job Duties: The Library Department at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is seeking applicants for a 9-month tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor with the start date of 1/7/2027. We encourage applications from candidates with expertise in Special Collections Librarianship. Come join a community of teacher/scholars committed to student success. Applications received prior to the first review date will receive full consideration, and the search will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Under general supervision of the department chair, the successful candidate will co-manage the Special Collections unit. This includes leading the unit’s collection development activities; managing the unit’s archival appraisal and acquisitions efforts; processing new and backlogged archival materials and collections; cultivating and maintaining donor relations to acquire new materials; overseeing materials that fall under the local classification for university institutional documents; serving as the point of contact and manager for the library's participation in the Federal and State government document programs; leading efforts to organize, maintain, and promote the library's extensive collection of topographic maps; contributing to unit and departmental information literacy efforts, including Special Collections reference and instruction activities; collaborating with cataloging Special Collections materials in a variety of schemas; and performing conservation activities as necessary. The successful candidate is expected to maintain an active, on-going program of scholarship appropriate to their discipline. In addition, faculty provide service to the department, college, university, community, and/or professional organizations. Other duties may be assigned by the chair or director. As faculty in a student-centered teaching library, Library Department members strive to ensure that UWL students graduate as information literate citizens with the ability to recognize when information is needed, and with the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively and ethically. Department members help provide many services and access to information resources that support and promote excellence in academic study and research, success in teaching and learning, and intellectual and cultural exploration. Murphy Library additionally serves the greater community as a regional information center. The review of applications starts on October 22, 2026 . Applications received on or before October 22nd are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus. Key Job Responsibilities: Department: Library Department Required Qualifications: • Masters in an ALA accredited Library Science program at time of application. • Evidence of clear and effective communication skills. Preferred Qualifications: • Post-MLS experience working within an academic library setting, specifically involving archives and/or special collections. • Experience with the management of records within the archival lifecycle, including appraisal, accession, arrangement and description, collection management, conservation, and access. • Experience working with a government documents and/or map collection. • Experience in a public-facing role working with students, faculty, community members, and prospective donors. • Experience delivering services related to Information Literacy, including both reference and instruction. How to Apply: Required application materials: Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications) CV/Resume References with their contact information (minimum of 3) Contact Information: David Mindel dmindel@uwlax.edu Special Notes: Application deadlines TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION: Priority consideration is given to those candidates who apply by the listed ‘First Review Date’. Applications received after that date may be considered at the discretion of the search committee. Application materials will be evaluated, and the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Incomplete and/or late application materials may not receive consideration. If you have questions regarding this recruitment, or if you are not able to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact the Office of Human Resources. Confidentiality of Applicant Materials UWL is a state agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWL will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request. CBC & Reference Check Policy All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a criminal background check, work authorization, and verification of education. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act) For the UWL Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.uwlax.edu/student-life/student-resources/annual-security-report/ or contact the University Police Department at 608.785.9000. INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS Your benefits add an additional 40%+ to the overall financial package from the university. Highlights include: • Paid vacation for 12-month positions. • Excellent flexible health insurance with low co-pays and good coverage. • Paid holidays and paid sick days. • After 5 years of employment, you become vested in our retirement system which ensures income post-career. • Benefits at UWL are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation. Benefit eligibility is determined at the point of hire. This information is provided for illustrative purposes only. Benefits are also pro-rated based on the appointment percentage. UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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