The University of Minnesota Libraries invites applications for the position of Project Specialist for Community Celebration of Place: Intergenerational, cross-cultural histories from the Larry Long papers. Reporting to the Head of Archival Processing in close collaboration with Head of Digital Library Services and Performing Arts Archive Curator, the Project Specialist will utilize âœslow processingâ techniques to process, prepare for digitization, describe, and promote access to the Larry Long Papers, the complete archive of folk artist Larry Long, whose multi-decade career features oral history and folk recording work with rural, working-class and urban communities and neighborhoods across the United States. This is a grant-funded position generously funded by the Council of Library and Information Resources (CLIR)â™s Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives program. This position provides significant opportunity to describe and promote access to material documenting the histories of underrepresented and marginalized groups as well as collaborate directly with community elders in active memory making and curatorial participation.
Salary Range: $50,838.53-$56,000 annually (this position is dependent on a finalized grant contract and available grant funding)
Term: Temporary 3 years
*Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship.
Responsibilities
Archival Processing â“ 65%
Organize and arrange the collection both physically and intellectually according to predetermined processing plan, organizational standards, and professional best practices.
Describe the material through analyzing, organizing, and transcribing details such as creator, contributor, title, dates, extent, and contents: emphasize series, folder, and item level descriptions as needed to promote the peoples, groups, and individual histories represented in the collection.
Describe series arrangement, scope and content, and conduct historical research and community inquiry as needed.
Re-house materials as appropriate.
Conduct basic preservation tasks as needed.
Digitization Preparation and Metadata Coordination â“ 25%
Prepare audiovisual materials for digitization: inventory, pack, and ship items according to pre-determined digitization schedule.
Assist with quality control review of newly created audiovisual files: utilize existing procedures and tools to confirm checksums, review technical specifications, and sample files for quality and completeness.
Enhance/update/create metadata for digitized audiovisual objects through contextual evidence and organized review of files.
Collaborate with project PIs to select print and photographic materials for digitization; coordinate digitization of print materials with Digital Library Services.
Work with Digital Library Services Librarian to leverage archival description created during processing: map, create, and enhance descriptive metadata for digitized materials uploaded to the Universityâ™s digital collections platform, UMedia.
Assign rights statements to all digitized audiovisual materials.
Community Collaboration and Project Promotion â“ 10%
Contribute to monthly meetings with the projectâ™s Community Advisory Board, which consists of community elders and persons whose oral histories are present in the collection: provide processing and digitization updates, gather biographical and other descriptive information, and participate in memory making and listening workshops led by Larry Long and the Project PIs.
Identify and solicit from the Advisory Board guidance regarding the handling, description, and digitization of potentially sensitive or sacred material. Document all decisions as appropriate.
Assist with statistical/tracking information and project narratives to include in reports to the granting agency.
Promote the collection and project progress via the Librariesâ™ blog and other information outlets (e.g. local, regional, and community news publications); may also seek opportunities to present on project activities.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree and two years of related experience; or a combination of related education and work experience to equal six years
Demonstrated understanding of archival professional standards and procedures; previous experience in archival processing and description
Demonstrated ability and commitment to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
High degree of comfort working in spreadsheet environments (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, etc.)
Excellent communication, organizational, presentation, and interpersonal skills
Physically comfortable working with various digital media and paper archives
Preferred Qualifications:
ALA accredited MLS/MLIS degree or advanced degree in a relevant field
Experience in archival digitization or digitization project management
Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary metadata standards (e.g., Dublin Core) and/or creating descriptive metadata for archival collections
Experience with ArchivesSpace or other similar collections management tools
Familiarity with basic command-line protocol for file management
Experience in developing strong working partnerships with library and community groups or non-library professionals (community archiving)
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.
