Archivist and Book Arts Studio Coordinator - 502033
POSITION SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Head, Rare Books and Special Collections, the Archivist and Book Arts Studio Coordinator will be responsible for establishing physical and intellectual control over the library’s most
rare, unique and valuable collections through archival processing, creating and editing finding aids, and ensuring efficient, effective, and appropriate processing based on archival policies and procedures. The position assists with the acquisition, processing,
description, reference and outreach regarding the University’s archival department’s collections as well as planning and coordinating a growing Book Arts program. Duties will include working with a broad range of rare book, manuscript, and digital materials,.
This work requires: collaboration with faculty, staff, and donors in the development and use of department materials; working within the University and external community to enhance collections and their use; outreach to internal and external groups as part
of expansion of archival resources to support research and instruction; and assistance with the regular functions of the department, including reference and exhibits.
Professional librarians hold faculty status. Faculty status allows both voice and vote in University faculty meetings, eligibility to serve on faculty committees, to serve as a student advisor, and to
participate in the Program for Enhancing Teaching Effectiveness (PETE); and it acknowledges that those individuals play an active role in the intellectual activities of the University. Faculty status does not carry with it eligibility for tenure or sabbatical,
nor does it automatically carry with it faculty rank (Professor, Associate, Assistant Professor, or Instructor), since faculty rank is in a specific academic department, nor does it carry eligibility for other benefits normally assigned to full-time teaching
faculty.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Archives Outreach, Processing, and Description:
- Apply knowledge of appropriate best practices and standards to process archival materials, including arrangement, preservation, description, and access for all record
formats within each collection.
- Maintain an accurate and complete collection description and inventory in the collections management system.
- Assist in the development of strategies for preservation and the reformatting of materials in the collection.
- Identify records suitable for digitization and/or exhibits and records requiring reformatting.
- Collaborating with colleagues working in areas of collection development, archival and manuscript processing, rare books cataloging, preservation, and digitization.
- Maintaining a course of personal professional development through active participation in rare book, manuscript, and archives professional associations or other professional
activities external to the Libraries.
- Collaborates with liaisons and appropriate divisions within the library to create, coordinate and manage best practices for archives, rare book, and special collection
maintenance, growth and preservation.
- Conducts environmental scans of all campus departments in order to identify current and emerging scholarly projects, areas of inquiry, and pedagogical trends related
to primary source and archival research.
- Contributes to an exhibition program inside and outside of the Libraries using Rare Books, Special Collections, Archives and Book Arts material.
- Provides reference services, participating in collection development, and supporting day-to-day operations.
Book Arts Program:
- Oversee the Book Arts Studio and manage all studio activities including curricular support, instruction, planning and programming, supervision, equipment maintenance,
and budgeting.
- Develop Book Arts Studio programs to increase the effectiveness of the studio as a University-wide and community resource.
- Serve as a liaison to the faculty and provide curricular support for classes involving a book arts component.
- Establish protocols for the operation of equipment and train users to follow them.
- Maintain safe conditions in the studio and comply with all established safety policies.
- Supply and maintain the studio (press, binding), keep the machines and spaces in good working condition.
- Research new equipment and materials, and train on new equipment when the program is able to add these to the studio.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated knowledge of and skills in archival processing and in at least one of the following: hand bookbinding, letterpress printing, artist’s books, and/or the history of the book.
- Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with emerging trends in rare book and manuscript librarianship.
- The flexibility and adaptability to work effectively in a dynamic, evolving environment.
- Demonstrated evidence of responsibility in successful collaborations, including entities within the organization (e.g., library) as well as beyond it (e.g., with other units on campus or with other institutions).
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment where consultation, flexibility, collaboration and cooperation are essential.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Demonstrated interest in professional development that will enhance the candidate’s value to the Libraries, the University, the profession, or the scholarly community.
- Experience teaching and instruction, particularly at the undergraduate level.
- Experience with or demonstrated knowledge in EAD and/or Dublin Core.
- Experience initiating new ways to engage students and the community with primary source material.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity in the workplace or community.
- Demonstrated experience in writing funding and grant proposals.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, about complex, technical processes to non-technical personnel.
- Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under time constraints and to meet regularly recurring deadlines on multiple, concurrent projects.
- Evidence of strong analytical problem solving skills, attention to detail, and results-oriented approaches to complex problems.
- Ability to work and learn independently and to initiate necessary work procedures according to guidelines set by the supervisor.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, librarians, archivists and others in order to advance digital arts and humanities research.
- Must be able to lift 30 pounds.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
- Graduate degree in library science from an ALA accredited institution or a graduate degree in an academic discipline with advanced training in archives administration,
rare books, manuscripts, or book arts.
- MFA in Book Arts or similar program desired. Significant professional experience in printing, binding, and the book arts may substitute for degree requirements.
- At least one year of professional experience in a Special Collections, archives, fine arts, or museum environment.
WORK HOURS:
- Full-time, exempt position; normal business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
SALARY STRUCTURE:
Pay Grade 6
To see more detailed salary information please review the University of Richmond's Compensation Structure.
Located minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, the University of Richmond (www.richmond.edu) blends the intimacy
of a small college with exceptional academic, research, and cultural opportunities usually found only at large institutions. Richmond offers a unique combination of undergraduate and graduate programs. Our School of Arts & Sciences anchors Richmond as a nationally
ranked liberal arts university. A ranked business school, the nation’s first school of leadership studies, a highly respected law school, a nationally recognized international education program and the community-focused School of Professional and Continuing
Studies build on that strong foundation and make this university something unique.
UR is committed to developing a diverse faculty, staff and student body, and to modeling an inclusive campus community which values the expression of differences in ways that promote excellence in teaching, learning, personal development and institutional success.
In keeping with this commitment, our academic community welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and candidates who support diversity. EOE
