Reference Archivist (Librarian), Pitts Theology Library, Candler School of Theology

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ABOUT PITTS THEOLOGY LIBRARY

Pitts Theology Library the premier theological library in North America is one of Emory Universitys six instructional libraries. It holds a distinguished collection of theological materials in a beautiful 60000 square-foot facility. With active instructional and outreach programs and over 650000 volumes including over 155000 volumes in its Special Collections the library provides rich resources and services for the Candler School of Theology Emory University and the broader community.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections the Reference Archivist (RA) works with Pitts Theology Library Special Collections materials and provides reference and research services to Emory students and faculty visiting scholars and members of the public. The RA also processes archival materials and creates descriptive metadata including catalog records and finding aids for analog and born-digital materials. The RA is responsible for hiring training and supervising 2-3 graduate and/or undergraduate student workers to assist with reading room duties and stacks maintenance. Administrative responsibilities include contributing to unit and division annual planning and reports. Finally the RA contributes to the library and professional community through committee service conference presentations and/or scholarship. Archival materials in Pitts Theology Librarys Special Collections are primarily religious or theological in nature and include personal papers collections and organizational records.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

REFERENCE 40%

Serves as primary source of reference and research consultation services for Pitts Theology Library Special Collections in-person and virtually for primary source research. Works with Emory students and faculty visiting scholars and the public.

Provides primary oversight at Pitts Theology Library of the Special Collections Request System (Aeon). Guides researchers through the completion of online registration for Aeon and requesting Special Collections materials.

Oversees reading room security by monitoring use of materials in the reading room as well as working with researchers to explain the rules of care and handling for special collections material.

Coordinates with the Digital Asset Librarian regarding the digitization of Special Collections materials.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES 30%

Administrative responsibilities include contributing to unit and division annual planning and reports.

Maintains physical order of Special Collections stacks and assists with retrieval and reshelving of materials.

Hires trains and supervises student workers to arrange and describe archival materials and assist in stacks maintenance in accordance with current library and archival standards.

Participates in library and campus committees.

Performs other duties as needed to accomplish the goals of the unit and library.

ARCHIVAL PROCESSING 25%

Processes archival collections performing high-level collection analysis and work plans outlining documentation arrangement timelines and project decisions.

Conducts appraisal of material within collections as well as new acquisitions.

Determines appropriate levels of arrangement and description based on collection condition local policy and practice and professional judgment.

Determines and performs basic preservation work such as removing rusty metal hardware unfolding and flattening documents and transferring material to new acid-free folders and boxes.

Coordinates with Emorys Preservation Department regarding preservation issues with rare books manuscripts archives and audiovisual media.

Creates finding aids for collections within ArchivesSpace including biographical notes scope and content notes and detailed container inventories.

Creates MARC format bibliographic records for collections in both WorldCat and the librarys local catalog.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 5%

Participates in appropriate professional and scholarly associations and organizations including maintaining membership and/or accreditation; attending meetings conferences workshops; and serving in appointed or elected positions.

Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to primary job assignments as well as maintains general knowledge of current trends in higher education academic libraries and information and educational technology.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

ALA-accredited masters degree in Library and Information Science or Archival Studies OR equivalent education and experience (relevant subject expertise combined with professional library education and/or experience).
One to two years demonstrated experience in appraising accessioning arranging and describing manuscript collections preferably in a special collections library in an academic environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of issues relating to rare books archives and manuscripts.
Demonstrated knowledge of current national archival and descriptive standards and best practices including working knowledge of MARC format EAD DACS and other archival descriptive standards.
Ability to lift 40-pound boxes and to work in a dusty environment.
Evidence of analytical organizational communication project and time management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities meet deadlines and complete tasks and projects on time and within budget and in accordance with task/project parameters.
Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty and student population.
Capacity to thrive in an ambiguous future-oriented environment of a major research institution and to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities.
Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and issues in academic libraries and higher education.
Ability to build and sustain effective interpersonal relationships with library staff faculty and students off campus faculty and administrators campus administrators etc.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated knowledge of born-digital media.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

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