Archivist, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME
Posted August 10, 2021
Description:
The Bowdoin College Library seeks an experienced, team-spirited, and innovative archivist to provide vision and leadership for Bowdoin College’s substantial archival and manuscript holdings. As a member of an active and highly collaborative special collections department, the Archivist manages the accessioning, arrangement, description, digitization, and preservation of archival and manuscript materials in all formats and administers the College’s records management program. The ideal candidate will be confident in their knowledge of traditional archival best practices and international standards, while taking an expansive view of how inclusive collecting, description, and online publication of archival and manuscript materials can support the academic library setting as well as further the teaching and research goals of the College.
As the intellectual heart of the Bowdoin campus, and serving as a major research library in the state of Maine, the College Library is highly valued for its rich and extensive collections, outstanding staff, and vibrant spaces, including Hawthorne-Longfellow Library—the main library building—and three specialized branch libraries for music, art, and science. Located within the main library, the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives is distinguished for its commitment to access, innovative instructional and educational programs, world-class collections including an archival record that dates to the College’s founding in 1794, and an ambitious digital collections program.
The Bowdoin Library strives to be forward-thinking, diverse, and welcoming. In line with its goals to address the ways in which structural racism has permeated long-standing library practices, it is committed to developing, describing, and stewarding diverse and inclusive collections that represent the voices and experiences of BIPOC and other marginalized communities.
Reporting to the director of the department, the Archivist provides day-to-day oversight over all aspects of the operation of the college archives, from fostering good record-keeping practices among the College’s staff, faculty, and student organizations, to processing and preserving materials deposited with the archives. In partnership with the department’s director, the Archivist also meets regularly with alumni and other donors on issues regarding the selection and stewardship of manuscript materials. The Archivist is a subject expert in the history of the College, provides reference and research support for complex questions related to the college archives, and is sensitive to the varying needs of a diverse constituency. The Archivist also plays a key managerial role within the department, supervising the Digital Archivist and the Special Collections & Archives Departmental Assistant.
Required:
- A Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library program or an advanced degree in a related discipline with formal professional archival training or apprenticeship. Thorough knowledge of archival theory and accepted practices, records management principles, digital and physical preservation theory/practice, and copyright and privacy laws relevant to the administration of archival collections. Evidence of ability to attend to accuracy, attention to detail and discretion, and the necessity for confidentiality. Strong customer-service orientation and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with a wide range of individuals, including co-workers, students, faculty, staff, members of the community, and independent researchers. Ability to organize and supervise the work of others, to plan and administer projects, to accommodate deadlines and defined schedules, and to solve problems with minimal supervision. Knowledge of metadata standards and schema (e.g., EAD, Dublin Core, MARC), content standards (e.g., DACS), and controlled vocabularies (e.g., LC authorities, Getty thesauri). Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
- Minimum three years’ post-graduate experience working with manuscripts or archival records in an academic setting. Experience appraising and processing manuscript collections and archival records. Public services and project management experience. Facility with spreadsheets and databases, such as ILS or collections management database.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of database structures and applications relevant to management of archival collections and digital objects. Familiarity with critical cataloging principles. Formal training or certification in digital archiving.
- At least one year of experience managing staff. Experience creating and/or administering a records management schedule. Experience completing or managing digitization and/or digital preservation projects. Experience identifying and preserving audiovisual formats. Experience with email and web archiving principles and practices. Instructional and outreach experience. Experience supporting or working with an institutional repository or digital asset management system. Experience writing or utilizing scripts to batch enhance or remediate metadata.
This is an exempt position requiring time commitment necessary to satisfactorily complete job requirements. Hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Schedules may vary to meet operational needs.
How to apply:
To apply, visit: https://careers.bowdoin.edu/postings/7589