Project Archivists (2 openings)

Description

Hagley is seeking two full-time project archivists for a three-year effort to process the David Sarnoff Collection (2800 feet). One archivist will focus on manuscript materials for the full three years of the project; the other will focus on audiovisual materials for the first two years of the project only.

The proposed project will make available in three years full public access to the David Sarnoff Collection, the extraordinary and comprehensive 2,800-linear-foot archive of materials documenting the business dealings of David Sarnoff, pioneer of the media and electronics age. The history of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and the founding of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) are recorded in the collection’s manuscripts, reports, notebooks, publications, photographs, moving images, and sound recordings. RCA’s research & development activities as well as the emerging American consumer culture are also recorded here. They vastly enlarge RCA-related collections already at Hagley.

Responsibilities

• Work with Hagley staff to establish work flows for processing roughly 2,600 linear feet of records spanning a variety of formats: manuscript; printed; photographic, film, and audiovisual; and digital.
• Arrange, describe, and rehouse the collection in accordance with professional standards and best practices.
• Oversee project staff including an average of two graduate assistants and two summer interns. The project will be supported by nine of Hagley’s full-time staff to varying degrees.
• Use Archivists' Toolkit (AT) and other software, such as Microsoft Excel, to create an EAD finding aid and other discovery tools in accordance with DACS.
• Assist in the preservation assessment of collections and selection of materials for conservation treatment.
• Collaborate on digitization, including the selection of items for the digital component of the project.
• Maintain and post to a project blog, incorporating digitized images and documents.
• Promote the collection through professional and academic meetings or other venues.
• Participate in special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in library or information science or in history and/or at least two years of relevant professional experience processing complex collections is required.
• Experience with best practices in archives and records management theory and practice, including:
• Current metadata and descriptive standards: DACS, EAD, AT.
• Knowledge of preservation standards.
• Familiarity of web publishing platforms.
• Familiarity with MPLP (More Product, Less Process) approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and tasks in a complex and dynamic environment, and to work effectively with colleagues in different departments across a complex institution.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a project team, consisting of both professionals as well as interns, and providing the latter with necessary training. Ability to set priorities, manage work, and meet deadlines independently and collaboratively.
• Strong analytical, communication, and writing skills.
• Ability to lift and shelve boxes weighing up to 50 pounds.

To apply:

Please submit a cover letter, a c.v., a finding aid from a successful processing project, and preferably also a writing sample to Robert Hill, Director of Human Resources, Hagley Museum and Library, P.O. Box 3630, Wilmington, DE 19711, or electronically to rhill(at)hagley.org. Filing date is January 31, 2014.

Hagley Museum and Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer.