Project Archivist

Description

Simon Fraser University (SFU) is a comprehensive university with approximately 22,000 undergraduate students, 5000 graduate students, 950 faculty and 1500 staff. Ranked by respected national surveys as one of Canada’s top three comprehensive universities for the past 20 years, Simon Fraser University has also been named one of British Columbia’s top 40 Employers for 2011, as well as one of Canada’s top 100 employers. SFU offers more than 100 undergraduate major and joint major programs and more than 45 graduate offerings, spanning many disciplines in eight faculties, and has an international reputation for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. The University was established in 1965 in Burnaby and has since expanded to Vancouver and Surrey. SFU is integrally involved in the life of all three of its campus communities, including participation in a range of urban renewal and development initiatives. Further information about SFU is available at: www.sfu.ca.

The SFU Library is often a key participant in grant funded projects with campus and other institutional partners that include a digitization and preservation component for unique and research intensive content. These range from the Library’s ScholarlyDigitization Program that works directly with SFU faculty to digitize material associated with their research and teaching activities to Heritage Canada and national research funding agencies such as SSHRC.

The Archives of Lesbian Oral Testimony (A LOT) was founded in 2010 and is currently the recipient of a SHHRC research grant. The Archive makes available online lesbian oral testimonies. Testimonies come in many forms; material in the Archives includes oral history audio tapes, radio and television program tapes, as well as video and film produced by documentary filmmakers, and home video and film. The Archive and website are supported and hosted by the SFU Library. Further information regarding the Archive of Lesbian Oral Testimony is available at: www.alotarchives.org. 

Within the SFU Library, planning and project-based initiatives often cross divisional and campus boundaries. The Library Planning Committee (Dean, AULs, Division Heads) is responsible for advising the Dean on budget, personnel and external matters. The Library Council (Dean, AULs, Division/Unit Heads, seven library staff representatives) advises on other matters. There are few standing committees, with cross-divisional task groups typically planning and guiding specific projects. Further information about the Library is available at: www.lib.sfu.ca.

ASSIGNMENT
The position will have key responsibilities in coordinating the digitization of materials associated with the SSHRC-funded Archives of Lesbian Oral Testimony, an online digital archives project (alotarchives.org). Activities will include liaison with faculty and other researchers working on the SSHRC project; coordination of digitization activities with the Library’s Digitization Centre; arrangement and description of archival materialsin accordance with national standards and best practices; and the creation and maintenance of databases, finding aids, and other tools facilitating discovery and access. The position will report to the Archivist, Special Collections and Rare Books,for daily and operational responsibilities and will have a “dotted line” or matrix-based reporting relationship to the Principal Investigator who will have overall coordination and oversight responsibilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the joint direction of the Archivist, Special Collections and Rare Books, and the Director of the Archives of Lesbian Oral Testimony,the individual will:

• develop procedures and workflows associated with the acquisition, digitization, and management of material for the A LOT project,
• assist with the development of policies and associated forms to address access and intellectual property provisions required for the ALOT material,
• undertake the arrangement and description of material including coordination with other library and project staff also engaged in these activities,
• provide support for the creation and maintenance of databases, finding aids, and other tools facilitating management, discovery of, and access to material,
• supervise library assistants, practicumand summer students' work associated with the digitization of material for the project,
• perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

• Graduate degree in archival/library/information studiesfrom an ALA accredited program or equivalent
• Demonstrated knowledge of copyright and intellectual property issues, Freedom of Information/Protection of Privacy legislation and requirements
• Demonstrated knowledge of descriptive systems and principles such as Dublin Core, EAD, MARC. METS, RAD, XML as well asstandards and facilities for preservation, data formats and migration, discovery and access; national standards and archival ethics
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability in organizational core competenciesincluding customer service, communication, team work, and initiative/self-management
• Familiarity with current trends in post-secondary education and academic library services

Desirable:

• Up to 1 year archival/library, or related, professional experience
• Project management experience, especially with grant-funded initiatives
• Experience using digital content management systems

This is a part-time (approximately .25 fte), limited term (up to two years) position. There is the
possibility of additional grant funded work during this period. Appointment will be made at the
appropriate Archivist or Librarian rank in accordance with SFU Policy AD 12.
http://www.sfu.ca/policies/academic/a12-03.htm