Reference and Reproductions Archivist (Full-Time), Northeastern University, MA
Posted September 6, 2022
Description:
Northeastern University Library seeks an engaged, service-oriented, and collaborative professional to join the University Archives and Special Collections team (UASC) as a Reference and Reproductions Archivist for a two-year term position ($51,000-65,000). Reporting to the Reference and Outreach Archivist, this position will help facilitate the testing and pilot implementation of the Sourcery application (https://sourceryapp.org/) in the Archives’ reference and reproduction services. This includes tracking and identifying what types of remote requests can be handled through the platform and what types of requests require more complex interaction between the researcher and the archivist, as well as identifying unaccounted costs and labor in the reference scan process to improve an understanding of the approaches to remote scan provision and funding for archival services. The Reference and Reproductions Archivist will be responsible for discussing development priorities, community outreach activities, and other strategic concerns with the Sourcery development team.
The Reference and Reproductions Archivist role is right for someone with a true passion for providing equitable access to archival collections, facilitating clear and welcoming research experiences, and collaboratively assessing and establishing clear workflows.
Specific Responsibilities
The Reference and Reproductions Archivist will assist the Reference and Outreach Archivist in reference services by coordinating the execution of large format, audiovisual, and Sourcery application-based digitization requests using UASC’s historical records and manuscript collections, including on-site and remote reference requests and queries from our patrons, which include faculty, students and researchers of all kinds including visiting scholars and community members. The Reference and Reproductions Archivist will analyze existing digitization workflows in collaboration with the Archives and Special Collections and the Digital Production Services department. They will create minimal metadata (stub) records for scanned items and ingest these into the Digital Repository Service (https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/) in collaboration with the Digital Production Services department. Along with other members of the University Archives and Special Collections department the Reference and Reproductions Archivist will also provide reading room coverage when needed.
We invite people with various skills and levels of expertise to apply to this position. Candidates who meet some, but not all, of the requirements are also encouraged to apply. We also seek colleagues who are committed to building an inclusive and diverse working environment and who have been and remain underrepresented or marginalized in the field of librarianship – including but not limited to people of color, LGBTQ+ people, individuals with disabilities and applicants from lower-income and first-generation library or academic backgrounds.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in information science, media studies, communications, or a related field; master’s degree preferred
- Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a digital production environment, preferably in an archives or library
- Broad understanding of trends in Archives and Special Collections as well as technical ability.
- Experience working with a variety of object types, both born-digital and digitized (text, photographs, audio, and video, etc.)
- Demonstrated understanding of equipment used to digitize physical objects
- Knowledge of recommended digital format standards for textual works, still images, audio and moving image works required.
- Familiarity with metadata schema used to describe digital objects
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with minimal supervision, to balance competing priorities, and to meet deadlines
- Excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with faculty, staff, and community partners and to prepare project documentation to support training and best practices guidelines
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to work successfully in a collaborative environment
About the Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections and the Library
The Northeastern University Library supports the mission of the University by working in partnership with the University community to develop and disseminate new scholarship. The Library fosters intellectual and professional growth, enriches the research, teaching, and learning environment, and promotes the effective use of knowledge by managing and delivering information resources and services to library users.
In addition to University History, the University Archives and Special Collections (UASC) at the Northeastern University Libraries houses and carefully curates a diverse and growing collection of historical records about Boston. One major focus is to preserve and provide equitable access to the history of Boston’s social movements, including civil and political rights, immigrant rights, homelessness, and urban and environmental justice. To that end, our work is community-focused, rooted in critical theory, and extremely collaborative—including city-wide civic participation, inter-archival digital collection building, partnering with grassroots organizations and activists, and liaising with our user communities—on campus and off. Our reference services’ mission is to provide access to all that is equitable, empathetic, and full of ease regardless of location or affiliation.
The University Archives and Special Collections is excited to be growing their team to continue to support their central mission of equitable access both through archival description and processing as well as reference, outreach, and instruction services.
How to Apply:
Please submit a resume and cover letter here: https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Reference-and-Reproductions-Archivist_R108128