Special Collections Project Assistant, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Posted February 2, 2017

The Special Collections Description & Access Department at the Ohio State University Libraries is seeking applicants.  This positions will work as a highly collaborative team on a 2-year project to:

• migrate existing archival collection description from a variety of legacy sources to Archivists’ Toolkit
• review the physical contents of these collections to ensure the description accurately aligns with physical holdings and revise/create/etc. description as needed (including performing MPLP-appropriate lite processing, where needed, to address inaccuracies)
• publish finding aids for all collections worked on, thus allowing for independent research discovery of many of these collections for the first time 

This will be a fast-paced, highly collaborative project requiring lots of problem-solving and attention to detail; anyone with a solid knowledge of and experience in the best practices for archival arrangement and description and an interest in working on a challenging, team-oriented project is encourage to apply.  All postings are open now through 2/12/2017.

Summary of Duties

Term-appointment for two years. Assists with various projects to improve intellectual and physical control over and access to special collections materials held at the Ohio State University Libraries (OSUL). Under the supervision of the Special Collections Migration Project Collections Coordinator, reviews all existing description for designated archival collections and all physical materials associated with each collection; compares description to physical contents and makes any necessary revisions, additions, or deletions according to Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and OSUL’s description guidelines. Following the More Product, Less Process (MPLP) model, performs clean-up activities on archival collections, including re-housing collections and other light processing activities. May assist with in-process physical inventory management projects. All projects will heavily utilize Archivists’ Toolkit and other computer-based metadata management tools in use by OSUL. Works under the general supervision of the Special Collections Migration Project Collections Coordinator, in consultation with the Special Collections Processing Manager and the Special Collections Migration Project Metadata Coordinator. Consults and collaborates with others throughout the library as appropriate. May perform other duties as assigned. STANDARDLANGUAGE – Please be aware that travel reimbursement and relocation assistance will not be offered with this position.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience; minimum of one years’ experience writing and editing archival description following DACS, with thorough knowledge of DACS rules; minimum of one years’ experience processing archival collections; strong organizational skills and high level of attention to detail; ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative environment; strong oral, written, and interpersonal skills; works in archival storage conditions where temperatures are approximately 62 degrees F; must be able to lift 40 lbs. and push a cart weighing up to 80 lbs.

Desired Qualifications

Experience processing collections according to MPLP guidelines; experience creating and editing EAD (Encoded Archival Description); experience using an archival collection management system; previous experience working in a collaborative archival setting.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.jobsatosu.com/postings/75850