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Job Description:

Processing Archivist

Job Description

Summary

The Brown University Library is a dynamic center of scholarship and community at the heart of a world-class research university. Supporting and collaborating with a broad and diverse academic constituency, the Library is essential for Brownâ™s mission âœto serve the community, the nation, and the world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry.❠Integrating with Brownâ™s ambitious strategic plans, the Library is a site of innovation that fuels intellectual creativity.  Signature Library initiatives include the establishment of the Center for Library Exploration and Research to increase campus and community impact; the Racial Justice Project to assess and counteract the legacies of historical racism in library practice; the Digital Publications Initiative pioneering new approaches to born-digital scholarship; and a revisioned special collections program that is positioning the John Hay Library as a research destination and leader in reparative and community-based collecting. We are seeking outstanding library professionals at all levels of the organization who are excited about advancing academic excellence at the highest level, and who will bring a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to a scholarly community that is actively committed to being more diverse and inclusive.

The Processing Archivist arranges, describes, and catalogs the archival and manuscript collections acquired by the John Hay Library to fulfill the integrative scholarship and educational mission of the University.  This position is a crucial part of the strategic plan for cataloging and collection access as outlined in the Libraryâ™s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. The work is done in a user-centered, access-driven, and reparative-focused approach to processing archival collections. The position will contribute to correcting and dismantling the systems, vocabulary, and policies that perpetuate institutionalized legacies of historic racism and discrimination in the archival record.   

Reporting to the Head, Collection Services and Metadata, the Processing Archivist evaluates archival and manuscript collections based on records management policies, relevant laws, long-term preservation, and efficient use of space resources.  The priority will be cataloging materials created by and/or documenting marginalized groups and revising legacy cataloging that perpetuate anti-black racism and contain oppressive terminology of all types.  The work will also move the Brown University Library into closer alignment with the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials by identifying items created by or about indigenous people, correcting descriptions, and restricting culturally sensitive information. To support this work, the Processing Archivist will train and mentor student assistants to perform entry-level tasks. Their cataloging work will also be informed by direct user interaction through regular service at library service points.

Education and Experience

• ALA-accredited masterâ™s degree in library or information science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 year of experience in an academic library, public library, school library or other cultural heritage setting, or educational institution in a cataloging, teaching, administration, or research role.
• Experience or academic training in one or more of the following: Native American & Indigenous Studies, Black Studies (or equivalent), Gender & Sexuality, or other related fields.
• Experience providing public access to original cultural heritage resources through cataloging, reference, research or teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to research historical subjects, remain abreast of research and academic trends, and learn and apply evolving professional descriptive standards.
• Familiarity with library or museum cataloging standards such as DACS, CCO, MARC, AACR2, or RDA, desirable but not required.
• Demonstrated planning, decision making, and problem-solving skills with superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, time, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a diverse, dynamic, team setting and to balance multiple competing priorities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of the University.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University. 

In order to maintain 90% or greater universal vaccination rates on campus, all newly hired employees at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. For more information, please visit the Healthy Brown site.  

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Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Vaccination Requirements:

In order to maintain 90% or greater universal vaccination rates on campus, all newly hired employees at Brown University must receive the final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before they begin work, unless they are approved for a medical or religious exemption. All employees must also receive a COVID-19 booster within thirty (30) days of becoming eligible. For more information, please visit the Healthy Brown site.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

Brown University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community; as an EEO/AA employer, Brown considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.