Sound Archives Librarian

Description

The Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR) invite applications and nominations for the Sound Archives Librarian. This is an Academic Staff continuing appointment. Applicants should apply via: http://jobs.stanford.edu. Please supply a cover letter, a complete statement of qualifications, a full resume of including education and relevant experience, and the names and addresses of three references with knowledge of one’s professional qualifications for this position.

The person in this position has a wide variety of responsibilities for providing access to materials, assisting the public in use of the collection, transferring archival recordings to digital form for patron use, preserving the Archive’s physical collections, and supervising staff and student assistants. The librarian will actively manage the collection of historical recordings acquired by the Archive. The position provides an opportunity for exploring and implementing creative solutions to providing access to large numbers of recordings and an equally creative approach to public service in one of the world’s most important sound archives at a leading research institution.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Using existing and emerging metadata schemas (MODS, Dublin Core, MARC, etc.), together with traditional cataloging standards (RDA, LCSH), techniques and EAD archival finding aids, supports creation, organization, and maintenance of various forms of metadata to facilitate discovery and access to historical audio recordings, in their original and digitized formats as appropriate.
• Collaborates with Music and ARS staff to evaluate, select and apply metadata schemas and techniques, standards, data elements and thesauri to provide description and access to audio recordings. Actively pursues innovative discovery techniques as they emerge and adapts them to local environment.
• Responsible for associated authority work and quality control as defined for particular schemas and according to local procedures. Searches authority files, creates and updates name, name-uniform title and series authority records.
• Answers reference questions from patrons regarding the ARS collections and related public service duties.
• Digitizes individual audio recordings for preservation, personal research, or class use. Maintains audio room in Archive of Recorded Sound. In collaboration with technicians and expert partners, keeps software up to date, and performs routine maintenance & repair. Manages scheduling of use of audio room. Supervises operations manager in audio room tasks.
• Collaborates with Media Preservation lab to create discovery/content metadata for digitized audio collections and to manage digitization workflow.
• Maintains the ARS website by revising and writing new text using Drupal.
• Supervises the Operations Manager and student assistants in the Archive of Recorded Sound.
• Oversees inventory control of ARS collections performed by the operations manager and student assistants including barcoding, shelving, and paging materials to and from remote storage.
• Assists the Head Librarian in the review and assessment of gift collections as necessary.
• Assists the Head Librarian in conducting tours, class and public presentations, and other outreach activities.
• Assists in the preparation and writing of grant proposals.

Qualificiations:

• MLS/MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited graduate school is required or work in progress toward the degree.
• B.A. in music or equivalent or work in progress toward the degree is required with demonstrated subject knowledge of music history and theory. A graduate degree in music is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of reference materials and research tools in music and audio recordings; knowledge of audio recording history; and knowledge of discography is required.
• Knowledge of audio archives principles and practices is required. At least 2 years of experience working in a sound archive is required.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of current cataloging/metadata procedures and principles as defined in RDA, MARC21, Dublin Core, MODS, METS, DACS, and EAD. Ability to provide mapping between different metadata standards in a dynamic environment. Knowledge of XML and XSLT. Ability to rapidly learn and implement new cataloging procedures, principles, schemas and relevant thesauri or ontologies, as required.
• Experience with Sirsi Symphony, Archivists’ Toolkit, and Drupal is desired. The ability to learn these systems rapidly is required.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of digitization principles and practices or the ability to rapidly learn audio digitization, preferably with specific experience in media digitization and with audio equipment. Proficiency with WaveLab or other audio digitization applications desirable. Basic knowledge of audio preservation best practices.
• High level of proficiency using PC-based applications (Windows, word processing, spreadsheets) and other computer applications (email, Internet); high level competency kept up to date through continuous learning.
• Ability to manage staff positions and student assistants. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound working knowledge of at least one modern European language, German, French or Italian strongly preferred; working knowledge of other European languages.

Background
The libraries of Stanford University consist of over nine million volumes and over 400 staff members and include the University Libraries system and five “coordinate” (school or institution) libraries. The Stanford University Libraries consist of a main research library (Green Library) and twelve research branch libraries serving the sciences, social sciences and humanities.

The Archive of Recorded Sound was established in 1958 and is one of the largest sound archives in the United States. It was one of the first major collections devoted to the acquisition, preservation, and dissemination of historically and artistically significant sound recordings. The Archive’s holdings number over 350,000 ranging from early cylinder recordings to the latest digital files and includes a comprehensive reference collection on recording history and discography.The staff of the Archive work closely with the staff of the Music Library which together consists of 4 FTE professional staff and 4 FTE support staff plus student assistants.

The Archive of Recorded Sound is part of the Collections and Services Program that report to the Assistant University Librarians for Public Services and Collection Development.

Stanford is committed to the principles of diversity and encourages applications from women, members of ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities.

For more information please see locate this job in the Stanford Jobs Database: http://jobs.stanford.edu/find_a_job.html