Assistant Labor Archivist, University of Washington Libraries, Seattle, WA

Posted March 18, 2016

THE LIBRARIES

Serving three campuses, the University of Washington Libraries is one of the largest and most innovative libraries in North America with collections exceeding 9 million volumes, over 500,000 electronic books, more than 120,000 currently received journal titles, as well as millions of scholarly resources in other formats. Beyond the strength of local collections and digital resources, the Libraries is recognized for its excellent service, innovative learning and research spaces, faculty partnerships, global reach, extensive assessment efforts and diverse award-winning staff. The Libraries plays a significant leadership role regionally as a member in the groundbreaking Orbis Cascade Alliance and throughout the profession as evidenced by the number of its staff selected for competitive leadership programs and honored by professional association lifetime achievement awards.

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Drawing users from the campus, the community, the region, and the state, Special Collections also serves scholars from across the country and around the world. Our innovative, dedicated, user-focused staff engages with users in the reading room, the classroom, and other venues both physical and digital. We collaborate with others on campus, and in the community as well as through groups such as the OCLC Research Library Partnership, Orbis Cascade Alliance, and Northwest Digital Archives.

Founded in 2010 to preserve the records of working people and their unions and to serve as a center for historical research, the Labor Archives of Washington, a rapidly growing component of Special Collections, ensures that new generations have access to the rich labor history of the region. The Labor Archives is a collaborative project of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies and the University of Washington Libraries.

In the first phase of the project, funding for the Archives came largely from the labor movement, including the contributions of dozens of unions and hundreds of individuals. State funding now allows for an expansion of services and an increased scope of activity.

The rich Labor Archives contains over 300 separate collections of labor related materials from individuals and organizations documenting the local, national and international dimensions of the labor movement in the Pacific Northwest. These collections connect to the themes of labor history, social justice, and civil rights.

The Labor Archives also includes extensive manuscript collections. Letters, speeches, minutes, reports, writings, and other primarily textual materials document the labor-related history and culture of Seattle, the Puget Sound region, and the Pacific Northwest. Papers represent the work of members of major regional labor federations, international unions, large regional local unions in various industries, union officers, members, and activists; and ethnic and other special communities and major cultural figures relating to labor, civil rights, and social justice as they relate to work.

Other Special Collections strengths include Architecture, 19th-century American Literature, 20th-century American and English Literature, Pacific Northwest History and Literature, Photographs and Moving Images, and Travel and Exploration. Special Collections is also home to a world-class Book Arts Collection.

Finally, the University’s Memory–the University Archives–resides in Special Collections. It contains permanent public records of the University of Washington that document the University’s development; papers of teaching and research faculty and professional staff that reflect the academic and administrative life of the University; University publications and imprints and records of student life as well as guidance on recordkeeping and procedures for transferring records to the Archives.

THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Labor Archivist, the Assistant Labor Archivist is responsible for assisting in the development and processing of the Labor Archives of Washington. In keeping with the collecting policies of Special Collections and the interests and activities of the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, responsibilities include assisting the Labor Archives’ work in the acquisition, accession, arrangement, and description of archival materials documenting the local, regional, national, and international dimensions of the labor movement in the Pacific Northwest.

The Assistant Labor Archivist will support the Labor Archivist as principal selector for the Labor Archives, implementing appropriate digital projects, and participating in the Libraries’ digital programs, serving as the main processor of records and manuscript collections. A portion of the job will include site visits for a labor records survey and on-site stabilization of union collections throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Assistant Labor Archivist is responsible for contributing to the achievement of Libraries’ objectives and the fulfillment of the Libraries’ strategic plan.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Develop and maintain extensive relations with a variety of clientele, including and especially national, regional and local members of the labor community.

May assist in contacting prospective donors and negotiating transfer and disposition of collections and deeds of gift.
Assist in managing administrative and donor records for all labor collections.
Analyze unprocessed incoming and legacy manuscript and record collections and assist in developing arrangement and description plans for these collections.
Select and process manuscript and record collections in consultation with the Labor Archivist and the Division’s Technical Services staff.
Perform preliminary appraisal and provide any special processing instructions/information for major manuscript accessions as necessary.
Acquire materials in all formats. Contribute to access and use of the collections.
May conduct classes and orientations, sponsor presentations, mount exhibits, and participate in other outreach activities to promote and facilitate use of holdings by University, scholarly and labor communities.
Publicize the collection in the University and non-University communities as appropriate.
Provide reference service and user education programs as part of the Libraries’ public service programs.
Maintain an awareness of current developments of digital information technologies and their uses in special collections. Participate in the development of digital collections. Participate in the Libraries’ Digital Initiatives Program.
Prepare grant proposals, reports, studies or surveys as required.
May supervise students and volunteers.
Participate in the Division’s use of Encoded Archival Description (EAD) and related standards, including conversion of legacy finding aids and the creation of new finding aids in EAD.
May develop and implement standards, policies, and procedures for Special Collections technical services consistent with nationally accepted standards.
In coordination with curators, review workflow and procedures to improve service.
Write grants and assess funding needs for processing materials.
Assume other responsibilities as assigned; perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

Graduate degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or an equivalent graduate library/information studies degree.
Knowledge of labor history and current issues in labor relations.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and understanding of the contributions a diverse workforce brings to the workplace.
Minimum 2 years of experience working in an archives, special collections, or archival setting.
Demonstrated experience processing archival material.
Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills including demonstrated ability to work with staff and users.
Ability to work creatively in a rapidly changing complex environment and to set priorities.
Demonstrated technological expertise, including knowledge of USMARC format and Encoded Archival Description (EAD). Knowledge of cataloging and records management systems such as Archivists’ Toolkit.
Knowledge of standards and tools applicable to library and archival collections, such as Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS).
Ability to work independently, communicate effectively, and work as part of a team.

Preferred:

Graduate degree in a field related to Pacific Northwest, Western American, or labor history and culture.
Knowledge of the Pacific Northwest.
Training or experience in manuscript and archival appraisal and processing.
Experience analyzing workflows, and documenting procedures and policies.
Familiarity with Microsoft Access, Archivists Toolkit, and/or other database management software.
Exhibit design or curation experience.
Oral history curation or interviewing experience.
Certification with the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA).
Knowledge of standards applicable to library and archival collections such as Dublin Core, XML, and PREMIS (PREservation Metadata Implementation Strategies).
Knowledge of cataloging and records management systems such as Archivists Toolkit and ArchivesSpace.
Experience with digitization programs and electronic records ingest.
Supervisory experience.
Experience with LEAN process improvement.

SALARY

$50,000 minimum. Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and background.

RANK

Position will be at rank of Assistant Librarian or Sr. Assistant Librarian, depending on qualifications and background.

BENEFITS

Librarians are academic personnel and participate in the University of Washington Retirement Plan on a matching basis. Vacation is accrued at the rate of 24 working days per year; sick leave at the rate of 12 working days per year. No state or local income tax.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this position, please submit the following information to [email protected]:

Cover letter (addressed to Laura Lillard, Assistant Director, Libraries Academic Human Resources)

Curriculum vitae or resume (include a telephone number, mailing address, email address and salary requirements)

List of three references who are knowledgeable of your qualifications for this position, one of which must be your current supervisor (include telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses)

Please use “Librarian Application” in the subject heading.

Please submit all components in a single, multi-page PDF document. All submissions will be maintained in a secure, password protected online file space during the course of the search. Campus constituents may have access to some material, including CVs.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

To ensure consideration, applications should be received no later than 5:00 pm, Friday, April 22, 2016.

University of Washington Libraries Home Page is http://www.lib.washington.edu.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or
genetic information.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the University is required to verify and document the citizenship or employment authorization of each new employee.

For questions about this position, or questions regarding potential disability accommodations, please contact Laura Lillard at [email protected].

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