Archivist, Harvard Botany Libraries, Cambridge, MA
Posted May 5, 2023
Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on June 2, 2023.
The Harvard University Herbaria house five comprehensive, non-circulating research libraries that are managed collectively as the Botany Libraries. The combined collections are rich repositories of rare books, manuscripts, field notes, and historical correspondence, as well as current monographs, journals, and electronic media.
The Botany Libraries staff is an integrated team dedicated to supporting the academic and research interests of the faculty, researchers, staff, and students of the Harvard University community as well as an international community of researchers.
Reporting to the Senior Archivist, the Archivist will appraise, arrange, preserve, and describe archival collections in all formats. They will create DACS-compliant finding aids for ingest into ArchivesSpace. They will provide reference and research consultations for archival materials and assist researchers on-site.
Partnering with library staff and faculty, the Archivist provides customized classroom support, including selection of material for classes. They will support the Botany Libraries exhibition program and prepare archival materials and metadata for digitization projects.
In addition, the Archivist will work regular shifts on the Botany Libraries reading room desk. During these shifts, they will answer general reference inquiries and assist patrons with library materials.
Description:
Archives Collection Management
- Under the supervision of the Senior Archivist, processes archival and manuscript materials: creates preliminary inventories of new acquisitions; rehouses materials as necessary; assesses conservation and preservation needs; determines levels of arrangement and description; creates finding aids and descriptive metadata as necessary.
- Creates resource records in ArchivesSpace or updates existing description.
- Uses and applies standards for manuscript and archival description such as DACS, EAD, and MARC.
- Identifies sensitive materials that may require restriction.
- Follows applicable procedures and protocols; helps to maintain documentation; compiles statistics and reports as necessary.
- Pulls and tracks archival items in Aeon for reading room use, digitization, conservation, exhibitions, and loans.
Archives Reference
- Participates in in-person, virtual reference, and research consultation services for primary source materials, and provides onsite access by appointment.
- Advises users of appropriate research strategies and available resources (at Harvard and beyond) and provides technical training as needed.
- Advises researchers on copyright/fair use and provides digital images following HUH/HL policies.
Reading Room Desk Activities
- Provides library reference and research consultations, registers users in Aeon, gives orientations, and identifies and retrieves items for library users.
- Monitors the use of materials, including rare books and primary source materials, follows and enforces security and safety protocols including handling procedures.
Teaching and Exhibitions
- In collaboration with library and herbaria staff, schedule and prepare instruction sessions with primary source materials, including evaluating and selecting materials, teaching classes, creating associated online content, and maintaining a record of material utilized.
- Supports the Botany Libraries’ HUH exhibits program including designing and installing case exhibitions in collaboration with Libraries staff and Herbaria faculty, students, and collections staff.
Digital Projects
- Prepares materials for scanning in accordance with Botany Libraries priorities and scanning center protocols.
- Process collections, or update existing finding aids, so metadata can be reused for digital projects. Create digital surrogate links to related finding aids after digitization.
Outreach
- Represents the Botany Libraries in appropriate Harvard committee meetings and activities.
- Represents the Botany Libraries in related library/archives organizations (e.g. CBHL, NEA, BHL, etc.)
Basic Qualifications
- M.L.S. from an ALA-accredited academic program.
- Two years’ experience working in an archives or special collections repository, including archival arrangement and description and reference services.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.
- Preference for coursework and academic concentration in archives.
- Knowledge of relevant standards and best practices for archival description, including EAD and DACS.
- Knowledge of content management systems, specifically ArchivesSpace is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of intellectual property issues related to archives, libraries, and special collections and copyright issues associated with print and digital technologies.
- Experience providing support for classes and curating and installing exhibits.
- Demonstrated service orientation and dedication to patron service, with strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Flexibility, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle concurrent projects.
Physical Requirements
- The ability to stand for prolonged periods and lift 40 lbs.
Working Conditions
- The position is performed fully onsite, 9:00 am–5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs.
Benefits
We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
- Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
- Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
- Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
- Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
- Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
- Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
- Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
- Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
How to Apply:
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