Fine Arts Librarian

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:

The Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library (AUC Woodruff Library) is dedicated to supporting the academic and scholarly missions of three distinguished institutions that constitute the world’s largest consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Strategically located to serve these campuses, the AUC Woodruff Library is a central hub for both intellectual and social engagement within the Atlanta University Center community.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library seeks a collaborative, culturally grounded, and service-oriented Fine Arts Librarian to support the teaching, learning, and research needs of faculty and students across the AUC consortium, which includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College.

This position serves as the primary subject liaison for academic departments and programs in art, music, dance, and visual culture, with a specialized focus on the African American and African diasporic artistic experience. In addition to providing research services, instruction, and collection development, the Fine Arts Librarian will work closely with the library’s GLAM Coordinator to support cross-institutional arts initiatives, exhibits, and special programming that amplify the cultural legacy of the Atlanta University Center. The position reports to the Team Lead for Research and Reference Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the subject liaison to departments and programs in Art, Music, Dance, and Visual Culture, supporting a wide array of curricular, performance, and scholarly needs.
• Provide expert research assistance, instruction, and collection development in music (including classical, jazz, gospel, hip hop, and African diasporic genres), visual art, dance, and interdisciplinary arts.
• Integrate information literacy and research strategies into arts-based courses and workshops, adapting content for both academic and studio-based learning.
• Develop and maintain subject-specific Research Guides, curated digital exhibits, bibliographies, and instructional content tailored to the needs of AUC students and faculty.
• Collaborate with faculty to embed culturally relevant library support into courses, performance-based projects, and capstone experiences.
• Partner with the GLAM Coordinator to support library-museum initiatives, visual culture programs, exhibitions, and events across the AUC institutions.
• Support access to archives, rare materials, scores, recordings, and primary sources held within the AUC Woodruff Library and partner collections.
• Monitor and respond to scholarly trends in Black aesthetics, musicology, dance studies, art history, and visual culture.
• Contribute to public programming, exhibits, and partnerships that highlight the artistic achievements of the African American community.
• Actively participate in professional development and library governance

WORK/EDUCATION EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program.
• Academic background or demonstrated subject knowledge in music, dance, art, or visual culture, especially in relation to African American or African diasporic traditions.
• Familiarity with research methodologies and teaching practices in the fine and performing arts.
• Experience with reference, instruction, and/or liaison services in an academic or research library setting.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills committed to equity, access, and cultural competency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Second graduate degree or significant coursework in Music, Art History, Dance Studies, or African American/Africana Studies.
• Experience with collection development, particularly in music (e.g., scores, audio recordings, streaming resources) and visual media.
• Familiarity with digital scholarship tools, visual resources, or exhibition platforms.
• Experience working in a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), minority-serving institution, or culturally specific academic setting.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with the archival environment, including lifting and handling materials.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and company-paid disability plans.
• Company match retirement plan (TIAA)

SALARY & BENEFITS:

Salary commensurate with experience; benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, company paid disability plans, company match retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

The Robert W. Woodruff Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more about our Library, visit us online at