College Archivist, Amherst College Library, Amherst, MA
Posted July 25, 2016
The Amherst College Library seeks a talented archivist to join a collaborative and dynamic team as the College Archivist. Amherst has profoundly transformed its student body in terms of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and nationality, among other areas. Today, nearly one quarter of Amherst’s students consists of Pell Grant recipients, and many more are first-generation students; nearly half of our students are non-immigrant minorities. We seek candidates who have experience working in a multicultural environment and/or are interested in supporting a diverse student body.
The Archives & Special Collections at Amherst College is home to major research collections ranging from the manuscripts of Emily Dickinson, to the archives of Samuel French, Inc., to the Kim-Wait/Eisenberg Native American Literature Collection, and beyond. The extensive archives of college history contain unique documents of social and political change from the early 19th century to the present. In addition to collaborating with outstanding colleagues in the Five Colleges and the wider region, the Archives frequently collaborates with the Emily Dickinson Museum and the staff of the Folger Shakespeare Library. The department plays a vital role in the library’s efforts to teach students how to conduct original archival research.
You will work with a cross-departmental team to (a) to develop and implement an overall strategy for bringing the College Archives and other manuscript and archival collections in line with professional archival standards and best practices, and (b) to support and expand the department’s teaching and outreach program. The College Archivist plays an active role in collection development, records management, digital projects, exhibitions, donor relations, grant writing, and the overall direction of the department. Reports to the Head of the Archives & Special Collections.
Principal duties and responsibilities
- In collaboration with the Head of Archives & Special Collections, develops and implements an overall strategy for bringing the College Archives and other manuscript and archival collections in line with professional archival standards and best practices
- Creates EAD collection guides, MARC records, and other finding aids in accordance with professional standards and guidelines, such as DACS. Collaborates with the Technical Services department and others to develop policies and workflows for representing manuscript and archival collections in the library’s online discovery system
- Collaborates in the development of a records management program that includes the collecting of electronic records
- Advocates on behalf of the Archives & Special Collections within the college, as a member of the Five Colleges Consortium, and beyond
- Works closely with Amherst College librarians, faculty, and others to connect them with relevant holdings and to identify areas for potential collection development
- Teaches classes for Amherst faculty and other groups on how to conduct research with archival collections and primary sources; works with other departments as appropriate
- Identifies archival and manuscript collections to be acquired through gift and purchase, in close collaboration with Head of Archives & Special Collections; Cultivates relationships with existing and potential donors
- Represents the department in relevant professional organizations (Society of American Archivists, New England Archivists, etc.)
- Creates documentation, finding aids, and web guides for physical and digital collections that promote the use of Archives & Special Collections to both local and outside scholarly communities; helps create and mount physical and online exhibits that highlight important aspects of the library’s collections, particularly as they relate to the curriculum and important college events
- Supports special projects for Communications department, Alumni and Parent Programs, the Board of Trustees, the College President’s Office, and other departments across campus
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Master’s degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association or foreign equivalent with a focus on archives
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in a professional position within an archives, special collections, or similar repository
- Experience arranging, describing, and preserving archival and manuscript collections
- Strong command of archival theory and best practices, especially as they relate to the particular issues posed by born-digital content
- Demonstrated knowledge of DACS, EAD, MARC, authority control practices, as well as knowledge of emerging standards for description
- Teaching experience
- Knowledge of preservation standards and best practices
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a variety of staff in a rapidly changing environment
- Commitment to providing responsive and innovative services to a culturally and racially diverse campus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to advocate for the library to a variety of constituents; positive customer service orientation
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with proven success in independently prioritizing work and managing competing deadlines
- Strong user-centered approach and knowledge of assessment tools in decision-making
- Commitment to work closely with colleagues, undergraduates, faculty, staff, and college administrators
- Willingness to tackle challenges in an academic library with energy and enthusiasm, showing patience, tact, and genial charitability
- Competence and sensitivity in working at a college in which students are broadly diverse with regard to gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion
Preferred:
- Second, subject master’s degree in a relevant field
- 3-5 years of professional archives experience
- Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and implement complex projects
- Experience accessioning analog and digital materials
- Proficiency working with ArchivesSpace and/or other collection management systems
- Experience providing reference services in an archives or manuscripts repository
- Experience working with college or university records
- Experience with records management
- Knowledge of strategies developed or adopted by the archival community for managing born-digital archival material
- Knowledge of digital preservation principles, and knowledge of digital standards such as PREMIS and OAIS
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (e-mail and/or telephone number) for three professional references. Applications will be reviewed until position is filled.