Public Services in Special Collections · 143
Kent State University
Performance Standards: Assistant Curator of Special Collections and Archives
The goal of the Department of Special Collections and Archives is to support the teaching and research
programs of the University through the following commitments.
Acquire, preserve and provide access to primary sources and rare materials
House, preserve, and provide access to the inactive records of Kent State University that have
continuing administrative or historical value
Provide direct assistance to students and researchers using its collections
Cultivate and maintain relations with Library donors.
The Assistant Curator supports the Curator in the general management of the Department of Special
Collections and Archives, with special responsibility for the public service commitments of the Department. The
Assistant Curator is responsible for supervision of Graduate Student Assistants and shares in supervision of
support staff.
As other duties permit, the Assistant Curator may also participate in the instructional program of the
Department. This participation may include teaching instruction sessions, providing departmental tours, and
providing basic orientation sessions to classes or other visiting groups.
The following are the performance standards for the Assistant Curator of Special Collections and
Archives.
Duties and Responsibilities Performance Standards
1.1. Manage the service desk in the
Department of Special Collections and
Archives during public service hours.
1.1.1. Develops a thorough knowledge of resources and collections and the access tools
that are used to locate those resources and collections.
1.1.2. Provides assistance to users in identifying and retrieving desired materials in the
department.
1.1.3. Ensures that Graduate Student Assistants are conducting effective reference
interviews and providing accurate and professional responses to reference requests
(both on- and off-site)
1.1.4. Ensures that access, usage and reading room policies are being enforced in a
consistent manner (e.g. registration of users duplication policies coat/bag policy)
1.1.5. Provides specialized assistance to scholars engaged in in-depth projects
dependent on the Department’s resources.
1.1.5.1. Schedules research appointments outside of normal public service hours
when appropriate and feasible.
1.1.6. Creates a monthly reference desk schedule and ensures that coverage is
adequate.
1.1.7. Responds to reference queries received by email, telephone, and in person in a
timely manner.
1.1.8. Assists in the creation of specialized access tools such as “Web pathfinders”,
FAQ pages, and resource guides.
1.1.9. Represents the Department at Desks Group meetings to keep abreast of public
service policies and initiatives and bring forth special needs or issues for provision of
public services in Special Collections.
Previous Page Next Page