Archival Information Specialist – 22500563600615

Description

Boston University Libraries seeks an Archival Information Specialist (AIS) to serve as the Client Service Lead and platform administrator of Boston University’s archival information management system (ArchivesSpace). As a member of the Libraries’ Digital Ventures team, the AIS coordinates the requirements of local archive managers at BU to prepare and deliver accurate descriptive metadata to the users of BU’s archival information services.

The Boston University Libraries value and support the work of BU librarians, archivists, and information and subject specialists to seek and share knowledge, practices, and perspectives that advance library services to the university community. Library staff regularly participate in regional and national professional organizations and leadership forums through innovative projects, collaborations, presentations, publications, and service assignments in relevant associations. Embedded in numerous vibrant library and information specialist networks, the Boston University Libraries are active members within the Boston Library Consortium, the Association of Research Libraries, and the Coalition for Networked Information, and library staff at BU serve as engaged thought-leaders on a wide breadth of library management and service areas across diverse communities.

Boston University, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), is one of the leading private research and teaching institutions in the world, with two primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the globe. Chartered in 1869, the University is home to more than 33,000 students from more than 130 countries, 375,000 living alumni, 10,000 faculty and staff, and 17 schools and colleges.

Through the Libraries, BU also is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI), the Northeast Research Libraries Consortium (NERL), HathiTrust, the Boston Library Consortium (BLC), the Eastern Academic Scholars’ Trust (EAST), the OCLC Research Library Partnership, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC), and the Higher Education Leadership Initiative for Open Scholarship (HELIOS).

Responsibilities

·         Platform administration and management of archival information: Serve as a Client Service Lead and platform administrator providing day-to-day management of our archival information management system, ArchivesSpace, and promptly respond to any incoming questions, troubleshooting, and reporting technical issues to the vendor (LYRASIS) and Information Services & Technology (IS&T). Coordinate with all special collections, archives, and libraries across the university to manage archival information at Boston University to design and develop archival information gathering and creation strategies for new digital collections.

·         Outreach and engagement: Collaborate with IS&T, the vendor (LYRASIS) and local archive managers to facilitate the migration of legacy archival information data into a central service. Regularly and proactively collect ArchivesSpace (staff and public) user feedback and usage statistics. Identify and document opportunities for service improvements. In a timely effective manner, notify stakeholders of any updates or changes that may have an impact on their use of the system. Collaborate with the Boston University Libraries’ Collection Management team and university-wide Archival or Special Collections units to ensure that archival information can be made discoverable in a standard manner across different platforms and systems. Participation on internal library working groups and committees related to facilitating the creation and management archival description and discovery of archival resources.

·         Documentation and training: Provide onboarding and ongoing training for staff and other ArchivesSpace users, which can include helping to prepare and import their archival information into the system. Proactively set up and provide regular opportunities for staff training. Create and maintain documentation, workflows, and procedures.

·         Projects, initiatives, and community engagement: Identify and pursue opportunities to seek and share knowledge, practices, and perspectives that advance library services to the university community. The AIS should propose and pursue digital library projects in partnership with members of the university community, with librarians in neighboring departments, and through professional and collegial networks of practice. The AIS will participate and represent BU Libraries in regional and national professional organizations and leadership forums through innovative projects, collaborations, presentations, publications, and service assignments in relevant associations.

Required Skills:

·         Master's degree and two years of related experience in archival information management; OR any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education.

·         Demonstrated proficiency in the use, maintenance, and support of archival collections and archival information management systems.

·         Demonstrated knowledge of current national data standards related to the archival control of collection materials and proficiency in the use and application of DACS, EAD, LCSH, and LCNA.

·         Demonstrated experience with the transformation of metadata across systems and platforms.

·         Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and collaboratively to inspire a shared vision with colleagues and students in a rapidly changing and diverse campus environment.

·         Strong problem solving and project management skills.

·         Strong organizational skills, including ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

·         Ability to develop procedures and workflows.

·         Ability to quickly learn how to administer and use complex web-based software.

A resume and cover letter are required to be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

·         Experience in developing and/or managing an ArchivesSpace instance.

·         Familiarity with digital objects, digital collections, and related digital content and metadata standards such as Dublin Core, METS, and MODS.

·         Knowledge of digitization standards and techniques.

All Applications must be made through the link below:

Archival Information Specialist

OR

https://bu.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobinfo&jobid=310138&source=ONLINE&JobOwner=1017576&company_id=15509&version=1&byBusinessUnit=NULL&bycountry=0&bystate=0&byRegion=&bylocation=NULL&keywords=22500563600615&byCat=&proximityCountry=&postalCode=&radiusDistance=&isKilometers=&tosearch=yes&city=

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty, will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and BoosterRequirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption (instructions). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit theBack2BU site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.