July 23, 2014
Editor, Princeton University Library Chronicle
- Princeton University
- Princeton, New Jersey
Editor, Princeton University Library ChronicleThe Editor’s chief responsibility is to seek and develop content for and to produce the Princeton University Library Chronicle (hereinafter, PULC), a well-respected journal that publishes articles of scholarly merit written for a general audience. Contributors include promising new writers as well as established scholars. The primary focus of the journal is on materials held by the Department of Rare Books and Special Collection in the Princeton University Library. PULC publishes articles in a broad range of periods and disciplines, chiefly in the humanities, history, and twentieth-century U.S. public and foreign policy. The Friends of the Princeton University Library have published the PULC continuously since 1939. It enjoys a wide, diverse, and supportive readership. Subscribers include members of the Friends, as well as libraries and individuals throughout the United States and abroad.
Description
The responsibilities of the Editor include seeking out and developing articles for the journal; coordinating their review by the PULC editorial board; researching and acquiring illustrations; preparing special feature sections; overseeing the production of three issues per annum; handling copyright issues; and consulting with the Council of the Friends to fill positions on the editorial board. The Editor has significant freedom to determine content and to ensure breadth, innovation, and creativity in the journal. The Editor is also directly responsible for the contents, design, and layout of the Friends’ newsletter, which is published at least twice a year. Other responsibilities include reviewing the text and layout of all mailings to the Friends and all labels for exhibitions sponsored by the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, overseeing occasional Library publications, and completing other special projects as assigned. The Editor performs a public relations role in promoting the Friends and their activities and interacts with a wide variety of people in the Library, on campus, and outside of the University. Some evening and weekend hours may be required for special library or academic events.
Qualifications
Required:
M.A. in literature, history, or a related humanities discipline, or at least five years’ experience as an editor;
Familiarity with the publishing conventions (both print and digital) of contemporary scholarship in the humanities and social sciences;
Excellent English-language skills, both oral and written;
Ability to perform under pressure, to meet tight deadlines, to work both independently and as part of a team, and to keep track of multiple projects;
Portfolio showing written and edited work.
Preferred:
Five years of copyediting experience in scholarly or trade publishing;
Facility with online copyediting and review tools;
Experience in collaborating with authors and advisory boards;
Knowledge of the technical specifications for producing printed works;
Experience in the design and layout of simple publications with desktop publishing software;
Good reading knowledge of at least one modern European language and/or Latin;
Familiarity with collections of the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, the history of the book, and book design;
Familiarity with the history of Princeton University;
Communications experience for a non-profit organization or company;
Engagement with social media.