Head, King Library Press

Job Title
Head, King Library Press


Requisition Number
FE04511


Working Title

Department Name
88000:LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION


Work Location
Lexington, KY


Type of Position
Faculty


Position Time Status
Full-Time


Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track


Required Education

Masters degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program, MFA, or PhD in a related field



Required Related Experience

• Demonstrated intermediate to advanced knowledge of and skills in letterpress printing and bookbinding
• Experience with project planning and coordination as well as prioritization of multiple projects and workflows simultaneously

Required License/Registration/Certification

N/A



Job Summary

The University of Kentucky Libraries is vital to fulfilling the goals of enhancing and expanding the university’s research and education enterprise. As part of that mission, we are looking for an enthusiastic, organized, collaborative, and knowledgeable candidate to join our team as the first full time Head of the King Library Press.



The Head of the King Library Press will lead and coordinate the outreach, programming, and book arts production efforts of the University of Kentucky Libraries’ King Library Press, a bibliographic and teaching press founded in 1956 by university librarians to print special collections materials that are out of print or have never been published. Today, the press is dedicated to keeping the tradition of fine printing alive in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. Undergraduate and graduate courses and community groups regularly visit for tours or printing demonstrations while additional programming such as evening lectures and daylong workshops are attended by a national audience. The sizable book arts studio space houses a wide range of printing presses and related equipment, including a wooden common press, several iron proofing presses, numerous typefaces, and book binding equipment. These are used for both smaller projects as requested through the university as well as book length publications. These programs and press supplies are made possible through two endowments created to specifically support the press’ work.



The Head of the King Library Press will manage the budget, physical press space, and equipment housed in the Special Collections Research Center as well as the efforts of several longtime volunteers, community members, and student interns. Reporting to the Rare Books Librarian, this position will build a robust teaching and internship program focusing on various aspects of the book arts and will be situated in the Margaret I. King Library where the press’ studio is located. They will work closely to build relationships with faculty members in relevant departments and colleges outside the library as well as the wider letterpress community.



Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and management of the letterpress and book arts studio space that comprises the King Library Press, including the maintenance of current equipment and addition of any new equipment donations
• Manage the budget for two endowments dedicated to funding ongoing supplies and programming
• Coordinate the efforts of volunteers or student interns as they relate to self-directed projects or supporting press initiatives
• Build a robust teaching and internship program for undergraduate and graduate students regardless of academic affiliation
• Plan three flagship press events a year: one open house in the fall semester and a book arts weekend each fall and spring semester
• Organize other outreach events, exhibitions, and programming to increase the effectiveness of the press as a university and community resource
• Lead tours, printing demonstrations, and active learning exercises incorporating primary sources for university and community members
• Participate in fundraising activities on behalf of the press
• Maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends in letterpress education and the book arts, especially as it relates to college book arts presses
• Participate in the shared governance of the University of Kentucky by serving on library, departmental/college, and university committees as appropriate

As a member of the UKL faculty, this position participates in planning, shared governance, and UK Libraries-wide faculty activities. This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure eligible position in the Librarian Title Series (open rank) which requires scholarship, professional development, and service that contributes to the effectiveness of UK Libraries, the university, and the profession as outlined in Administrative Regulation 2:7 (https://www.uky.edu/regs/ar2-7). Your Distribution of Effort (DOE) range: Primary assignment: 70-80%, Service/Prof. development and scholarship 20-30% and is reviewed at minimum annually each year. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. The minimum salary for a Librarian IV is $57,000 and for a Librarian III is $62,500.



Position is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track eligible position. All career levels are encouraged to apply. The University of Kentucky is committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment for its students, employees, patients, and visitors. As part of this commitment, the University is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus. Employees are offered a wide array of excellent benefit options, and more information is available at: https://hr.uky.edu/insurance-and-retirement. Library tenure-track faculty are also eligible to receive a generous relocation allowance, start-up funding for research, and annual professional development/travel funds.



The University of Kentucky is a public, land grant university of approximately 32,000 students, 3,500 faculty, and 15,000 staff dedicated to improving people’s lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service, and health care. With over 200 academic programs across sixteen colleges and professional schools, the University plays a critical leadership role by promoting economic development, and human well-being. Located in the beautiful bluegrass region of central Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Libraries includes the main William T. Young Library, Medical Center Library, Special Collections Research Center, Fine Arts and Design Library, Education Library, Lexmark Library, and Science & Engineering Library. Combined library holdings total more than four million volumes. The system has a faculty of 55 and a support and professional staff of 85. UK Libraries currently uses the Ex Libris Alma and Primo systems. UK Libraries memberships include the Association of Research Libraries, LYRASIS, ASERL, and the Center for Research Libraries. UK is a regional depository for government publications.


To apply, interested applicants must complete a UK Online Academic Profile at https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings and attach two documents:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Portfolio requirement – candidates may showcase their letterpress skills by uploading a PDF or website link of work under Specific Request 1

Please include contact information for three references when prompted in the application. We ask that one of the references be your current supervisor. Please note, the current supervisor will only be contacted if you are selected for a final round of interviews on campus.


If you have any questions, contact UK Human Resources employment at (859) 257-9555, select option 2.


Review of applications will begin on 5/26/2025,and will continue until the position is filled. Anticipated position start date will be on or after 8/01/2025.



Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

• Ability to work independently and also collaboratively as part of a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to meet the requirements of a tenure-track position through research, publication, professional service and/or other professional engagement

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No


Preferred Education/Experience

• Two or more years of professional experience managing a letterpress studio or book arts center
• Experience supervising and training volunteers, staff, and/or students
• Experience planning book arts related programming for a wide-ranging audience
• Experience working in an academic library

Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled
Yes


Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.