Processing Archivist, Yale, New Haven, CT

Posted September 11, 2018

Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include two major art museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.

Reporting to the Assistant Head of the Manuscript Unit for Processing, the Processing Archivist processes and catalogs archival and manuscript material in the fields of American and modern European literature, history, and the humanities from the eighteenth through the twenty-first centuries. Prepares finding aids according to relevant standards and established local practice, including using ArchivesSpace. Performs original cataloging in the MARC format for the library’s online catalog. Plans, directs, and reviews work of processing assistants and student assistants. Assists in the preservation assessment of collections and in the selection of materials for conservation treatment. Assists in the ongoing development of the unit’s processing and cataloging procedures for archival collections. Completes special projects as assigned. Contributes to Yale University Library and University-wide initiatives and is expected to be active professionally.

The Manuscript Unit is a division of the Technical Services Department. The Manuscript Unit supports the Beinecke Library’s robust acquisition program and is responsible for the accessioning, processing, and cataloging of the library’s manuscript collections. The manuscript collections range from ancient papyri and medieval manuscripts to twenty-first century literary archives. Particular collecting strengths include history of the American West, African American arts and letters, and twentieth-century literary and artistic movements. In addition to literary and historical manuscripts, formats include photography and artwork, audio and moving image recordings, born-digital files, and music.

The Beinecke Library is Yale’s principal repository for literary archives, early manuscripts, and rare books. One of the great collections in North America, the Beinecke collections are internationally known and heavily used by scholars from around the world. For further information about the Beinecke Library, consult the library’s web site at: http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/.

Qualified individuals new to the library profession are welcome to apply.

Job Qualifications:

Required Education, Skills and Experience: 

1. Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent accredited degree, with formal training in archival theory and practice. In selected instances, a post-graduate degree in museum studies or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences may be substituted for a master’s degree in library science.
2. Experience arranging and describing or providing public services for manuscript and/or archival collections.
3. Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice may be substituted for formal training.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of current national data content and structure standards related to the archival control of collection materials.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of archival and library management systems.
7. Demonstrated job or school experience with basic preservation and conservation standards for archival and manuscript collections.
8. Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability.
9. Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion.

Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments (see range assigned to this description as noted in the posting position title).

Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html

 

Required Skill/Ability 1:

Strong knowledge of American or European literature or history, and broad knowledge in the humanities, as demonstrated through academic degrees or an equivalent combination of training or experience.

 

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Good reading knowledge of at least one modern European or other non-English language.

 

Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html.

 

Preferred Education, Skills and Experience: Experience processing manuscripts and archival collections. Graduate-level training in American or European history or literature. Experience using ArchivesSpace. Experience creating original MARC catalog records for manuscript material.

 

The University and the Library

The Yale University Library, as one of the world’s leading research libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters intellectual growth and supports the teaching and research missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including around 15 million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to its physical and digital collections. Housed in eighteen buildings including the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Center for Science and Social Science Information, and the Bass Library, it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of approximately five hundred who offer innovative and flexible services to library readers. For additional information on the Yale University Library, please visit the Library’s web site at www.library.yale.edu.

 

The Beinecke Library is Yale’s principal repository for literary archives, early manuscripts, and rare books. One of the great collections in North America, the Beinecke collections are internationally known and heavily used by scholars from around the world. For further information about the Beinecke Library, consult the library’s web site at: http://www.library.yale.edu/beinecke.

 

Salary and Benefits

We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country’s great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more.

 

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications, consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references should be submitted by applying online at https://bit.ly/2MXQ4s0

 

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.