DIRECTOR, JULIETTE K. AND LEONARD S. RAKOW RESEARCH LIBRARY

DIRECTOR, JULIETTE K. AND LEONARD S. RAKOW RESEARCH LIBRARY

The Corning Museum of Glass (Museum) – home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the top glassworking schools in the world – seeks nominations and applications for a creative, transformative, and dynamic leader for its next Director of the Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Research Library (Library).

This position is an excellent opportunity for a thoughtful, pragmatic, and inclusive leader to provide strategic vision and leadership, expert day-to-day management of people and processes, and collections expertise appropriate to the depth and breadth of the Rakow Research Library’s singular, world-class collections. Corning seeks an individual to lead the Library who can collaboratively design new and innovative services that demonstrate the value of its distinctive collections to the intellectual work of a global community of scholars, teachers, artists, researchers, and the broader public.

The Rakow Research Library has a staff of approximately 15 and a $1.4 million combined operating, personnel and dedicated acquisition budget, as well as access to reserve funds of approximately $4.5 million. The Director of the Rakow Research Library will provide leadership for the Library’s world-class services and collections in support of the research mission at the Museum and around the globe. Reporting to the President and Executive Director of The Corning Museum of Glass, Karol Wight, the Director will help develop and implement the Library’s strategic priorities as they align with the Museum’s in an exceptionally stimulating intellectual environment.

Located in Corning, NY, and established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) as a gift to the nation for the company’s 100th anniversary, The Corning Museum of Glass is a not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: glass. Over 50,000 objects representing more than 3,500 years of history are included in The Corning Museum of Glass collection; items range from the portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to contemporary sculpture. The Museum’s highly regarded curators and librarians actively acquire materials; and curators, librarians, educators and artists organize special on-campus and traveling exhibitions; teach; conduct and publish extensive research; host numerous artist residencies and public presentations; and showcase daily demonstrations of contemporary glassworking. The Museum’s authority on glass art is felt around the world.

The Museum is a center for glass scholarship. A key component of the institution is The Juliette K. and Leonard S. Rakow Research Library: the world’s foremost library on the art, history and science of glass and glassworking. 

The Rakow Research Library comprises a comprehensive collection of materials on the art and history of glass and glassmaking, an unparalleled collection documenting centuries of human interaction with glass. Its collections include general and special collection materials on the art, history and science of glass, ranging from medieval manuscripts to original works of art on paper to the latest information on techniques used by studio artists. The archival holdings include manuscript collections, artists’ and collectors’ papers, gallery records, and corporate archives and is committed to making these resources as widely available as possible to advance scholarship, artistry, craftsmanship, learning, and general awareness concerning glass and glassmaking.

Reporting to the President and Executive Director of The Corning Museum of Glass, the Director serves as a key member of The Museum’s leadership team and contributes to the overall strategic direction of the Museum. The Director provides leadership and vision for the Rakow Research Library and oversees the administration of all operations including print and digital collection development and management, public services, special collections, conservation and preservation, and digital initiatives. In conjunction with the President and Executive Director, the Director develops policies, budgets, and collaborative initiatives with colleague institutions.

The ideal candidate will hold an advanced degree in a relevant field, Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program preferred, and an impressive record of intellectual and scholarly achievement. In addition, they should bring to the role strong leadership skills and administrative experience within an academic and/or research library, as the resources of the Rakow Research Library are significant.

Salary range for the role is from $140,000 to $160,000, based on experience and ability to have broad and early impact. The compensation package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b) matching and a non-elective contribution, Paid Time Off and Paid Sick Leave, as well as short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA/HSA, EAP, and paid and discretionary holidays.

To view the full position profile, please visit Storbeck Search’s https://diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/corning-museum-glass-library-director/

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications to:

Matthew Bunting, Managing Director
Storbeck Search

CMoGLibraryDirector@storbecksearch.com

The Corning Museum of Glass is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.