Special Collections Librarian

Address: 1901 W Madison | Phoenix, AZ 85009

Salary: $24.7086 – 27.1409/hr ($51,393 - $56,453 yearly)

Grade: 20

**First Resume Review will be October 30th, 2026**

This position is supported by funding provided through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program. The position is established for the period of grant funding and is subject to funding availability, grant requirements, and project needs. Employment beyond the grant-funded period is not guaranteed.

The State of Arizona Research Library, a branch of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, seeks an experienced and service-oriented Librarian III - Special Collections Librarian to join our dedicated team in “Preserving Arizona, Providing Access.” Learn more about the Research Library here: https://azlibrary.gov/starl

The Special Collections Librarian plays a critical role within the State of Arizona Research Library team to establish a proactive service culture that ensures patrons have expedited, accurate, and relevant access to physical and digital collections that document Arizona’s history, literature, and government. This position manages the following special collections:

• Newspaper Collection The Research Library has the largest collection of historic Arizona newspapers in the state in print, microfilm, and digital formats.
• Arizona Collection The Arizona Collection is a continuation of the 1864 Territorial Library and houses a wide variety of books, periodicals, and vertical files related to Arizona’s history, government, culture, and people.
• Reading Arizona eBooks Reading Arizona (available on OverDrive/Libby) is a curated selection of nonfiction and fiction eBooks and audiobooks available to anyone in Arizona interested in Arizona topics and themes.

The Special Collections Librarian is responsible for the development, maintenance, digitization, and accessibility of these collections. The position serves as a subject matter-expert on the collections and supports reference services, outreach, and collaborative efforts with patrons, partners, and cultural institutions across the state.

The Special Collections Librarian actively participates in identifying, applying for, and executing grant-funded projects. Will serve as co-Project Director during active grant cycles of the National Digital Newspaper Program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.

This full-time position reports to the Administrator of the State of Arizona Research Library, works collaboratively across Library Services and Archives divisions, and requires occasional travel. Background check, fingerprint card, and valid Arizona driver’s license required. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Collection Development and Maintenance
• Build and develop collections by research, selecting, and acquiring new materials in multiple formats.
• Work with vendors, organizations, and donors to evaluate and accept materials consistent with collection policies.
• Oversee inventory and special projects.
• Ensure holding and metadata records are accurate and up to date for print and digital collections.

Digitization Projects and Online Tools
• Select, organize, and prepare materials for possible inclusion in the Arizona Memory Project.
• Collaborate with institutions statewide to support digitization, preservation, and access initiatives.
• Identify, apply for, and execute grant-funded projects. Serve as co-Project Director during active grant cycles of the National Digital Newspaper Program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress.
• Manage Reading Arizona eBook platform, including curating featured collections of eBooks and audiobooks and providing support and training to patrons and library staff.
• Support and maintain online tools and develop research supports such as indices, inventories, and LibGuides.

Reference and Research Support
• Serve as the subject matter expert for Newspaper Collection, Arizona Collection, and Reading Arizona reference questions to on-site and remote patrons via phone, email, and in person.
• Compile and disseminate weekly Arizona news headlines to staff.

Outreach, Marketing, and Collaboration
• Develop and deliver outreach, programming, and training about Arizona’s newspapers and Arizona Collection materials.
• Monitor and report on usage statistics, identify marketing opportunities, and implement strategies to engage audiences with Reading Arizona.

Other Duties as Assigned
• Perform related responsibilities that advance the mission of the State of Arizona Research Library.

Knowledge of:
• Principles, practices, and current trends in library science, special collections, archives, and cultural heritage institutions.
• Collection development, appraisal, acquisition, and management of print, digital, and special collections materials.
• Library cataloging, metadata standards, controlled vocabularies, and resource discovery practices.
• Digitization methodologies, digital preservation principles, and digital collections management.
• Historical newspapers, local history collections, and primary source research methods.
• Arizona history, government, culture, literature, and information resources.
• Reference and research services, including virtual and in-person service delivery.
• Grant development, project planning, budgeting, implementation, and reporting.
• Copyright, intellectual property, licensing, and rights management as related to library collections and digital content.
• Online library platforms, discovery tools, content management systems, and emerging technologies supporting access to information.
• Outreach, instructional services, and strategies for engaging diverse audiences.

Skill in:
• Conducting advanced reference interviews and providing accurate, timely research assistance.
• Building, evaluating, and managing specialized library collections in multiple formats.
• Creating, reviewing, and maintaining bibliographic records and metadata to support discovery and access.
• Managing digitization projects and coordinating workflows involving digital collections.
• Using integrated library systems, digital repositories, content management platforms, and online research tools.
• Researching, writing, and administering grants and grant-funded projects.
• Developing finding aids, inventories, research guides, LibGuides, indexes, and other access tools.
• Analyzing collection usage, project outcomes, and performance metrics to support decision-making.
• Planning and delivering presentations, training, outreach programs, and instructional sessions.
• Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with donors, vendors, partner institutions, and stakeholders.
• Organizing and prioritizing multiple projects, deadlines, and initiatives simultaneously.
• Preparing clear reports, correspondence, policies, and documentation.

Ability to:
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Arizona newspapers, Arizona history resources, special collections, and digital collections.
• Interpret and apply library policies, professional standards, grant requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Evaluate collection materials for relevance, historical significance, preservation needs, and alignment with collection development goals.
• Lead and coordinate collaborative projects involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve access, discoverability, preservation, and use of library collections.
• Communicate effectively with patrons, colleagues, community partners, and government officials both verbally and in writing.
• Deliver high-quality customer service to diverse audiences with professionalism and responsiveness.
• Work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Adapt to changing priorities, technologies, and organizational needs.
• Analyze complex research requests and develop effective solutions using a variety of information resources.
• Promote library collections, services, and programs through outreach, instruction, and community engagement.
• Travel statewide as required
• Lift and move materials weighing up to 35 pounds.

• Experience managing special collections, local history collections, archives, or historical newspaper collections.
• Experience with digitization projects, digital repositories, and metadata creation.
• Experience administering federal or state grant-funded projects.
• Familiarity with the National Digital Newspaper Program, Chronicling America, or similar digital newspaper initiatives.
• Knowledge of Arizona history and government
• Experience with OverDrive/Libby, digital content platforms, or statewide resource-sharing initiatives.

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS/MLS) from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Valid Arizona Driver's License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.