Research Archivist / Archivist, The Mary Baker Eddy Library, Boston, MA
Posted February 23, 2015
Summary
Working with the other Research Archivists of Research & Reference Services, the incumbent manages, maintains, and processes the Library’s special collections. These historical materials, focused on Mary Baker Eddy, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and The Christian Science Publishing Society, include manuscripts, printed material, and digital archives.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- The Archivist arranges, describes, and maintains the Library’s special collections, making decisions with the assistance of other members of the Research & Reference team.
- Develops and maintains the finding aids to these collections, and ensures that the paper and digital versions of these finding aids are accurate and consistent.
- The incumbent processes new donations, and manages the accessioning of documents into the special collections.
- Working with other Research & Reference team members, reviews and prepares materials for public research.
- Develops long term plans for the collections, including digitization.
- The Archivist serves as the database administrator for the Library’s collection management software, which provides access to the digital collections for staff, web users, and Library patrons. Provides solutions to software problems, and is the main point of contact between the manufacturers and the Library.
- This position is also responsible for overseeing digitization projects involving the Library’s special collections. This could include reprocessing collections to prepare for scanning, selecting vendors, and supervising the digitization work.
- The incumbent is an active participant in the activities of the Library’s Research Room:
- Services Library patrons in the Research Room;
- Responds to queries via telephone and email.
Staff Management and Job Contacts
Reporting Relationships
Supervisor: Senior Research Archivist
Supervises: May supervise curatorial and archival projects for interns, providing training as well as written and verbal guidance.
Regular Contacts
The Archivist works directly with organizational departments, and works closely with Library Curatorial staff, and the Office of Records Management (ORM), especially as a member of the Acquisitions Committee.
Job Requirements
Education/Experience
A Bachelor’s degree with experience in archiving. A graduate degree in Library Science and a minimum of 2 years relevant experience preferred. The incumbent must be enthusiastically committed to contributing to a high-performance organization, enjoy a challenge, be devoted to high quality standards, and be in harmony with the Library’s purpose.
Knowledge/Skills
Strong writing, editing, and communications skills. Must have a demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team; well organized and a self-starter, with flexibility and willingness to get the job done.
The ideal candidate has knowledge of 19th-century American history and is familiar with or can quickly learn biographical information about Mary Baker Eddy, her ideas and legacy. Experience conducting in-depth historical research in primary and secondary materials is a plus. Flexibility to serve multiple audiences, including members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist.
Technology Skills
Strong computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office, MARC, HTML, XML, ReDiscovery (or other collections software); EAD.
Work Environment
Able to comfortably lift 40 pounds or more. Able to work some weekend hours (the Research Room is generally open the first Saturday of each quarter, and other occasional weekends).
Christian Science Information
Mother Church membership preferred.
This position requires signing a Confidentiality and Nondisclosure Agreement.