Processing & Reference Archivist, University of Virginia, Richmond, VA

Posted April 27, 2017

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Head, Rare Books and Special Collections, the Processing and Reference Archivist will provide efficient processing and effective reference services to Rare Books and Special collections materials for students, faculty, and staff, as well as community and external researchers. This position will be responsible for establishing physical and intellectual control over the library’s most rare, unique and valuable collections through archival processing, creating and editing finding aids, and ensuring appropriate processing based on established archival policies and procedures. The position is also responsible for primary staffing of the Rare Book Reading Room, responding to reference inquiries, and assisting with patron research requests. Duties will include providing public services, including reference, access, and instruction, and working within the University and external community to enhance collections and their use. The position may include outreach to internal and external groups to support current and emergent research and instruction needs, including tours, exhibits, presentations, and social media, for the department as required.

Professional librarians hold faculty status. Faculty status allows both voice and vote in University faculty meetings, eligibility to serve on faculty committees, to serve as a student advisor, and to participate in the Program for Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness (PETE); and it acknowledges that those individuals play an active role in the intellectual activities of the University. Faculty status does not carry with it eligibility for tenure or sabbatical, nor does it automatically carry with it faculty rank (Professor, Associate, Assistant Professor, or Instructor), since faculty rank is in a specific academic department, nor does it carry eligibility for other benefits normally assigned to full-time teaching faculty.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Processing, and Description:

Complete arrangement and description of manuscript collections by applying knowledge of appropriate best practices and standards to process archival materials, including arrangement, preservation, description, and access for all record formats within each collection.
Create EAD finding aids and maintain an accurate and complete collection descriptions and inventories in the collections management system and in other appropriate systems.
Assist in the development of strategies for preservation and the reformatting of materials in the collection.
Identify records suitable for digitization and/or exhibits and records requiring reformatting.
Maintaining a course of personal professional development through active participation in rare book, manuscript, and archives professional associations or other professional activities external to the Libraries.

Reference:

Provides in-person reference and research assistance to students, faculty, staff and community patrons using materials in Rare Books and Special Collections, including staffing open hours in the reading room and tracking requests and usage.
Provides other research and reference assistance regarding access, handling, and use of RBSC materials to a wide variety of patrons including students, faculty, staff, community patrons, and other researchers via mail, email, and phone contacts.
Provides instruction about research and reference with Rare Book and Special Collections materials as requested, including Osher Institute courses and assisting in rare book room instruction with undergraduate courses.

Outreach:

Assists with public service and outreach efforts of the department, including exhibits, tours, blogs, social media, and other projects as requested
Prepare and give presentations about the department and its resources to campus and community groups
Collaborates with liaison librarians in order to identify current and emerging scholarly projects, areas of inquiry, and pedagogical trends related to primary source and archival research.
Serves on library, university, and community committees as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Familiarity with best practices and locally-defined procedures for processing, preservation, and use of rare books and archival materials
Strong research skills in working with historical and archival materials, involving locating and evaluating relevant materials
Interest and/or experience in classroom instruction and community engagement
Experience promoting archival collections and historical content via exhibits, social media, blogs, etc.
Familiarity with library metadata formats used in digital libraries (TEI, Dublin Core, EAD)
Demonstrated skill with archival and book preservation
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Demonstrated excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and advanced problem-solving
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment on self-directed projects either independently and in collaboration with others
Ability to be flexible and accommodate faculty and student needs
Strong public service orientation
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Required:

A.L.A. accredited M.L.S./M.L.I.S. or M.A. in Public History, History, or related field with graduate level education and training in archival and preservation theory and practice.
At least one year of related library experience and/or training

Preferred:

A second advanced degree (M.A./M.S.) or other additional graduate level education is preferred.

WORK HOURS:

Full-time, exempt position
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; 7.75 hrs./day; 38.75 hrs./week

SALARY STRUCTURE:
Pay Grade 6
To see more detailed salary information please review the University of Richmond’s Compensation Structure.

TO APPLY: https://richmond.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=1203

Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. Richmond offers a unique combination of undergraduate and graduate programs. Our School of Arts & Sciences anchors Richmond as a nationally ranked liberal arts university. A ranked business school, the nation’s first school of leadership studies, a highly respected law school, a nationally recognized international education program and the community-focused School of Professional and Continuing Studies build on that strong foundation and make this university something unique.

UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success. In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE