Project Archivist

Description

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:  The Project Archivist is two year appointment in the Manuscript Unit of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. The Project Archivist processes materials in the Beinecke Library, including the Wilder Family Papers, an important collection of material related to the American writer Thornton Wilder and his family. Prepares finding aids according to relevant standards and established local practice, including using ArchivesSpace. Creates collection-level records in MARC format for the library's online catalog; may catalog manuscript items and small collections. Plans, directs, and reviews work of processing assistants and student assistants. Assists in the preservation assessment of collections and in the selection of materials for conservation treatment. Assists in the ongoing development of the unit’s processing and cataloging procedures for archival collections. May participate in library-wide planning and committee activities, and is expected to be active professionally. The Project Archivist reports to an Archivist in the Manuscript Unit of the Beinecke Library.

The Manuscript Unit is a division of the Technical Services Department. The Manuscript Unit supports the Beinecke Library's robust acquisition program and is responsible for the accessioning, processing, and cataloging of the library’s manuscript collections. The manuscript collections range from ancient papyri and medieval manuscripts to twenty-first century literary archives. In addition to literary and historical manuscripts, formats include photography and artwork, audio and moving image recordings, born-digital files, and music.

The Beinecke Library is Yale's principal repository for literary archives, early manuscripts, and rare books. One of the great collections in North America, the Beinecke collections are internationally known and heavily used by scholars from around the world. For further information about the Beinecke Library, consult the library's web site at: http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/.

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. Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and practice may be substituted for formal training.
• Qualified individuals new to the library profession are welcome to apply.
• Strong knowledge of American literature or history, and broad knowledge in the humanities, as demonstrated through academic degrees or an equivalent combination of training or experience.
• Experience arranging and describing or providing public services for manuscript and/or archival collections.
• Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment.
• 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 processing literary or family and personal papers. Graduate-level training in American or European history or literature. Good reading knowledge of at least one modern European language. Experience using ArchivesSpace. Experience cataloging in the MARC format.

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.

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 37292BR.

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.