Archivist for African American Collections
Yale University Library
New Haven

**Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include two major art museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.**  
  
**Position Focus:** The Visiting Archivist for African American Collections is a one-year appointment in the Manuscript Unit of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The Visiting Archivist processes archival collections chiefly in the James Weldon Johnson Collection of African American Arts and Letters in the Yale Collection of American Literature, including literature, history, and the humanities from the nineteenth through the twenty-first centuries. Prepares finding aids according to relevant standards and established local practice, including using ArchivesSpace. Creates collection-level records in MARC format for the library's online catalog; catalogs manuscript items and small collections. Plans, directs, and reviews work of processing assistants and student assistants. Assists in the preservation assessment of collections and in the selection of materials for conservation treatment. Assists in the ongoing development of the unit's processing and cataloging procedures for manuscript and archival collections. Participates in activities related to events celebrating the seventy-fifth anniversary of the James Weldon Johnson Collection. Completes special projects as assigned.  
  
The Beinecke Library offers this position in collaboration with The
HistoryMakers, as a continuation of their initiative to provide training to
African American archivists and archivists interested in working with African
American collections. This position will include the
opportunity to learn about aspects of archives and special collections
librarianship beyond manuscript and archival processing, from professionals
throughout the Beinecke and across the University Library system as well as
through professional development activities outside of Yale.

  
The Manuscript Unit is a division of the Technical Services Department. The
Manuscript Unit supports the Beinecke Library's robust acquisition program and
is responsible for the accessioning, processing, and cataloging of the
library's manuscript collections. The manuscript collections range from
ancient papyri and medieval manuscripts to twenty-first century literary
archives. In addition to literary and historical manuscripts, formats include
photography and artwork, audio and moving image recordings, born-digital
files, and music.

  
The Beinecke Library is Yale's principal repository for literary archives,
early manuscripts, and rare books. One of the great collections in North
America, the Beinecke collections are internationally known and heavily used
by scholars from around the world. For further information about the Beinecke
Library, consult the library's web site at: [http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/
](http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/).

  
**Required Education, Skills and Experience:**  
• Master's degree from an ALA-accredited library school or equivalent
accredited degree, with formal training in archival theory and practice. In
selected instances, a post-graduate degree in museum studies or a related
discipline in the humanities or social sciences may be substituted for a
master's degree in library science. Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory
and practice may be substituted for formal training.

• Qualified individuals new to the library profession are welcome to apply.

• Strong knowledge of American literature or history, and broad knowledge in
the humanities, as demonstrated through academic degrees or an equivalent
combination of training or experience.

• Experience arranging and describing or providing public services for
manuscript and/or archival collections.

• Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups
within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of current national data content and structure
standards related to the archival control of collection materials.

• Demonstrated knowledge of archival and library management systems.

• Demonstrated job or school experience with basic preservation and
conservation standards for archival and manuscript collections.

• Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and
analytical ability.

• Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion
in a timely fashion.

Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of
professional experience and accomplishments. Librarian ranking information can
be found at: [http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html](htt
p://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html).

  
**Preferred Education, Skills and Experience: **Experience processing literary manuscripts and archival collections. Academic background in African-American studies. Graduate-level training in American history or literature. Good reading knowledge of at least one modern European language.  
  
**The University and the Library**  
The Yale University Library, as one of the world's leading research libraries,
collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich
and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters intellectual
growth and supports the teaching and research missions of Yale University and
scholarly communities worldwide. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum
of resources, including around 12.8 million volumes and information in all
media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic
databases. The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to
its physical and digital collections. Housed in eighteen buildings including
the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library,
the Center for Science and Social Science Information, and the Bass Library,
it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of approximately five hundred who offer
innovative and flexible services to library readers. For
additional information on the Yale University Library, please visit the
Library's web site at [www.library.yale.edu](http://www.library.yale.edu).

  
**Salary and Benefits**  
We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of
a career at Yale University. One of the country's great workplaces, Yale
University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and
true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide
variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and
educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational
facilities, and much more.

  
**How to Apply**  
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the
position is filled. Applications, consisting of a cover
letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional
references should be submitted by applying online at
[http://www.yale.edu/jobs](http://www.yale.edu/jobs). **The STARS req. ID for
this position is 37267BR.**

  
_Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and
does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, race, color,
religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin;
nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender
identity or expression._



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