Head of Archival Processing
Professional Librarian Vacancy
Northwestern University Libraries seek an experienced and skilled Head of Archival Processing. As part of a complete administrative reorganization of the Libraries, Archival Processing was established as a unit of the Distinctive Collections group to be the center for all accessioning, physical processing, arrangement, and description of archival materials held by Northwestern’s Distinctive Collections. The Distinctive Collections group—including the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, the Art Library, the Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections, the Music Library, the Transportation Library, and University Archives—encompasses all of the Libraries’ rare and unique materials and select subject collections of extraordinary depth. Working across these collections, Archival Processing is a collaborative partner in providing access to and ensuring care for the non-book archival materials in these collections, including papers, photographs, digital files, realia, and any resource type.
The Head of Archival Processing plays a key role in the ongoing management of all archival materials by demonstrating strategic vision and operational leadership, directing and supervising Archival Processing staff, applying a thorough knowledge of archival theory and practice to establish policies and workflows, and working closely and collaboratively with curators, processing staff, and others involved in cataloging and preservation across the Libraries. A planned major renovation of facilities will create further opportunities for the Head of Archival Processing to contribute to the overall improvement of how collections are housed, secured, and made available.
General Information
Position Title: Head of Archival Processing
Job Title: Librarian
Supervisor: D. J. Hoek
Department: Distinctive Collections
Unit: University Archives
Percent Full Time: 100%
Status: Open
Available Positions: 1
Date Posted: 05/02/2016
Job Details
Responsibilities:
• Manages accessioning and processing of new archival collections while developing solutions for enhancing access to long-held unprocessed materials. • Establishes policies, plans workflows, and sets priorities for Archival Processing, working responsively and collaboratively with curators, other Archival Processing and Distinctive Collections staff, and key partners from across the Libraries, such as the departments of Preservation, Repository and Digital Curation, Metadata and Discovery Services, Marketing and Communication, and others. • Directly supervises a staff of 4.7 FTE responsible for archives processing and management. • Oversees and engages directly in the preparation of online finding aids, websites, and other resources that provide access to archives in alignment with professional standards and practices. • Contributes to the development and implementation of metadata standards for digitized and born-digital archival materials. • Provides support for public services in Distinctive Collections, including direct user services, instruction, and outreach, as needed. • Represents the Libraries and the University through conference participation, speaking, exhibitions, and other activities relevant to the profession and Northwestern collections. • Participates in planning for the renovation of Deering Library, including management and relocation of collections, redesign and reallocation of stacks spaces, design of staff work areas, and associated user and collections services in the periods prior, during, and after the renovation.
Required Qualifications:
• Graduate degree in librarianship, archival studies, or other relevant discipline or field, with training or experience in special collections or archives. • Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in archival services, including physical processing, preparation of finding aids or other discovery tools, and direct user service. • Expertise in descriptive standards for archival and manuscript materials, especially DACS and EAD, plus familiarity with other relevant standards, such as DublinCore, EAC, MODS, METS, MARC, AACR2, RDA, LCNAF, and LCSH. • Experience working with archival materials in all formats, including born-digital resources, with understanding of associated standards for preservation and metadata. • Facility using an archives information management system, particularly ArchivesSpace. • Knowledge of current and emerging practices for preserving and providing access to archival materials in all formats. • Capability to manage budgets and other resources responsibly and in accordance with priorities of the Libraries and University. • Sensitivity to matters of confidentiality, copyright, and other policy and legal aspects of handling and providing access to personal information, creative works, and other archival materials. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Leadership and management skills necessary to: o Encourage, mentor, and support staff; model self-leadership. o Use shared leadership to harness the energy, resourcefulness, and creativity of everyone in the organization to build sustainable services and solutions in a continually changing environment. o Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and building an organization where staff members continually expand their own capabilities. o Solicit, respond appropriately, and act on feedback from others o Use vision, understanding, clarity, flexibility, and agility to actively design and manage for the future. o Work well with a diverse set of individuals and different work styles. o Communicate effectively and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills. o Use systems thinking; focus on the whole. o Collaborate across the library, with other university departments, and with other research libraries, partners and organizations. o Understand the value of library content and services to the user community, while also ensuring alignment of work with university goals and policies.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Supervisory experience. • Record of professional engagement and contribution. • Experience planning, designing, and managing facilities for the use and storage of rare and unique materials. • Knowledge of one or more European languages.
Information for Librarian Applicants
Library environment:
Northwestern University is a highly selective private university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and in Doha, Qatar. One of the leading private research libraries in the United States, Northwestern University Library serves the educational and information needs of the NU community as well as scholars around the world. Its collection contains more 6 million volumes, a full array of digital resources, and collections of distinction in African studies, transportation, and 20th Century music. Northwestern is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and participates in programs of the Committee for Institutional Cooperation (CIC). See more information about University Libraries at: http://www.library.northwestern.edu.
To Apply:
Send PDF formatted document containing letter of application, resume or vita, and names of three references to the attention of Jan Hayes, Head, Organization Development, to libsearches@northwestern.edu. As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities.