Archivist for Legal Collections
Sterling Memorial Library
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Requisition: 39177BR
www.yale.edu/jobs
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.
Position Focus: Reporting to the Assistant Head of Arrangement and Description, the Archivist is primarily responsible for selecting, appraising, arranging, describing and making accessible Law-related manuscript and archival materials and promoting their use for teaching and research. The position is a three-year term position, whose initial focus is the processing of the papers of Ronald Dworkin, legal philosopher, jurist, and scholar of US constitutional law, and developing processing plans for under-described law-related collections.
Examines files relating to the provenance of collections, reviews pertinent historical literature, analyzes materials to determine content and the appropriate level and type of arrangement and description needed, and develops plans for accomplishing the work, including estimates of resources needed, for newly acquired and backlog collections. Arranges and describes archival material in all formats in accordance with approved plans; screens for potentially sensitive material; weeds extraneous material; recommends appropriate preservation and conservation procedures; and coordinates the copying or reformatting of materials for preservation and access. Creates or enhances metadata for all assigned collections according to national and departmental standards. Provides reference services to patrons in person, by telephone and via email. Participates in departmental and Law Library instruction and outreach activities and works with faculty to plan and promote classroom and research use of archival holdings. Collaborates with Law Library staff in setting arrangement and description and collecting priorities. Participates in the formulation and documentation of unit and departmental policy and procedures. Trains and supervises staff and student assistants. Makes recommendations on personnel selection, staffing requirements, and equipment and supply needs. Participates in library-wide planning and committee work as appropriate. Contributes to the advancement of the archival profession and/or professional or scholarly knowledge relevant to the job.
Required Education, Skills and Experience:
• 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.
• Qualified individuals new to the library profession are welcome to apply.
• Demonstrated proficiency in archival appraisal, arrangement and description practices and standards. Experience arranging and describing or providing public services for manuscript and/or archival collections.
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and respectfully in a diverse, team environment and to deliver a wide range of services.
• Ability to readily adapt to change. Ability to exercise initiative, sound judgment, creativity, and flexibility.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice may be substituted for formal training.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current national data content and structure standards related to the archival control of collection materials.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival and library management systems.
• Demonstrated job or school experience with basic preservation and conservation standards for archival and manuscript collections.
• Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability.
• 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. Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html.
Preferred Education, Skills and Experience: Experience in use of technology to support archival work. Experience processing and/or description of born digital archival materials. Experience processing legal archives or subject specialty in law or legal history. Two years of professional experience.
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 12.8 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.
Manuscripts and Archives, Sterling Memorial Library:
Manuscripts and Archives is a major center for historical inquiry and also serves as the documentary memory of Yale University. For more information about the department, please consult the website: http://www.library.yale.edu/mssa/.
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.
How to Apply
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 http://www.yale.edu/jobs. The STARS req. ID for this position is 39177BR.
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.
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Kelly Cronan
Staffing Support Specialist
HR Staffing and Career Development
Yale University
221 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
T: (203) 432-0775
F: (203) 432-6194