Details
Posted: 05-Nov-23
Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Internal Number: R-202300727
If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [email protected].
Libraries
Job Description
Job Summary
This role is responsible for the expert stewardship of the Sophia Smith Collection (SSC) of women's history. They will be responsible for collection development and donor relations, expanding the use of the collection through research, instruction, and outreach. This position will work collaboratively with other staff to improve discovery and access of the collection. It is a highly active and visible curatorial role that encourages researcher use of the collection, builds relationships with archival creators, and engages in robust instruction.
The SSC archivist will build upon the existing collection development strategy to identify people and organizations who have made meaningful change and to work with them to transfer records of enduring value. This work requires: close departmental collaboration to ensure that new acquisitions fit into demonstrated researcher needs and operational capacities, strong relationship-building skills, the ability to identify fundraising opportunities, creating and maintaining accurate documentation This role also requires strong negotiation skills to secure legal agreements with archival creators that balance their desires, the institution's ongoing commitment, and researchers' best interests for access.
Similarly, the Sophia Smith Archivist will dedicate time and resources to working with faculty across the Smith, the Five Colleges, and others. A core teaching collection, the SSC receives heavy research traffic and significant instructional use. This is amplified by the existence of the student concentrations at Smith College, though teaching areas stretch from the humanities to sciences. Ability to enhance, develop, and integrate archival literacies is core to the emerging formal teaching program in Special Collections.
Essential Functions
Curatorial (40%):
Actively steward existing donors and establish relationships with new archival creators that strategically builds the collection according to the collection development strategy.
Work with the Director of Special Collections on managing complex legal and donor related issues.
Maintain accurate and precise documentation related to the collection and its management.
Recommend acquisitions of manuscript and archival materials in the SSC.
Build and maintain knowledge about the collection, women's history, trends in scholarship, and trends in curriculum related to women's and gender history.
Engage in field work as necessary to meet with donors, review materials, and otherwise oversee the transfer of materials to Smith.
Participate actively in collection appraisal, deaccessioning, and similar activities that affect the long term health of the collection.
Work with faculty and other subject experts to consider potential acquisitions, networks, and projects that build the SSC or otherwise enhances its use.
Be the primary spokesperson for the collection in the press and social media, lectures, and similar public engagement.
Instruction (30%):
Provide expert guidance to researchers and students of the Sophia Smith Collection.
Primarily, this entails conducting class instruction for the Sophia Smith Collection and includes working closely with faculty, preparing for instruction sessions, designing class plans and assignments, and contributing to learning outcomes.
As part of an emerging formal instruction program, work with other staff to refine and expand on existing teaching practices.
Promote inclusive teaching and learning practices whenever possible.
Stay current and engaged with pedagogical best practices, theory, and trends for a college environment.
Public Services (15%)
Additionally, develop and lead projects that promote the collection and use; promote the collections through targeted outreach to faculty, students, donors, and other researchers.
With other staff, plan for and execute events and projects, including exhibitions, that spark interest in the SSC across many different communities.
Participate in interviews and other speaking engagements that promote the SSC.
Work collaboratively across the Libraries' to implement instruction, information literacy standards, and assessment tools.
Serve a minimum of one shift per week on the reading room desk.
Inform other staff on repository news and data as necessary.
Collection Management (10%):
Participate in and sometimes lead workflow and policy review, including documentation, legal forms, and standards-based practices.
Make recommendations for descriptive improvement / metadata enhancement related to the SSC collections.
In agreement with other archival staff, set priorities for arrangement, description, and conservation.
Other Functions
Other (5%):
Participate actively in the archival community as part of professional development.
Participate actively in the shared decision-making, resource management, program, and policy development in Special Collections.
Identify and assist with grant writing related to the collection.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)
ALA accredited MLS with specialization in archives and/or rare materials or ACA Certified Archivist. Equivalent combination of advanced subject degree and library/archives experience will be considered; strong academic background and/or knowledge of U.S. history, familiarity with U.S. women's history required; experience working with donors and teaching with primary sources required; 5 years of relevant archival experience, or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and experience. Strong evidence of working with students, faculty, and other scholars through instruction, research support, and outreach. Grant writing experience a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
Skills
Thorough knowledge of archival principles of appraisal, arrangement, description, access, preservation, reference, and collection development. Understanding of physical and digital content management best practices. Knowledge of, or experience with, archival collection management/repository systems and metadata schema including, but not limited to ArchivesSpace. Excellent research, organizational, verbal and written communication skills. Ability to establish and meet project goals, take professional initiative, and multitask. Demonstration of superior cultural competencies and sensistivity, empathy, and care in working with widely diverse people a must. Proven dedication to high quality teaching with and about primary sources, including archival practice literacies. Ability to work in a complex and dynamic institutional environment that values communication, flexibility, and collaboration - in the unit, Libraries, and across campus. Interest and care concerning reference interactions and enthusiastic engagement in outreach. Some travel required.
Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.
You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.
Review of applications will begin
January 8, 2024
Compensation Grade:
Grade H
Position Type:
Regular
About Smith College
Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [email protected].
As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.