Library Assistant IV - Archival Access & Collections Development

Department:

Location:

Time Type:

Worker Type:

Job Req ID:

Minimum Requirements:

Position Description:

The Archival Access & Collections Development Library Assistant IV plays a leading role in promoting access to Archives & Special Collection’s (ASC) primary source collections for University of Louisville students, staff, community members, and the wider research community. ASC’s reference service is key to its goals around promoting student success through interactions with primary source materials; enabling UL units to celebrate and promote their work and history; supporting Louisville community members’ continuing education through personal research; engaging the community with UofL; and enhancing UofL’s image as a source of research material on a national and international stage. As the primary virtual reference service provider and as a key member of the in-person reference team, conducts research on behalf of patrons, guides researchers to appropriate collections, and teaches them how to find and work with primary sources. Supports ASC’s work with donors: with the Special Collections Librarian/Curator of the Burroughs Collection, works with donors through the donation process; documents materials received for Office of Advancement, as needed; and serves as registrar for Rare Books materials, creating records of gift-in-kind donations in the Archives Catalog. Prepares materials for use by researchers, creating accessible and understandable descriptions that facilitate users’ access to ASC’s collections. The position leads ASC’s social media programs: coordinating, researching, creating, and publishing ASC’s social media content; and coordinating with the Libraries’ Communications and Marketing Specialist and the University’s Office of Communications and Marketing to promote the work of ASC, the University Libraries, and University. As part of ASC’s Outreach Committee, plays a significant role in other ASC outreach programming.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as primary virtual reference contact via the ASC service account, receiving and triaging online reference inquiries from University of Louisville students, faculty and staff, researchers from other universities and other local, regional and international researchers. Perform research within ASC collections and respond to queries. When appropriate, refer questions to other ASC staff or external agencies.

• Conduct reference interviews in-person in ASC’s research room, by telephone, and online, applying in-depth knowledge of collections to assist researchers in refining research needs.

• Assist researchers and instruct in archival research and appropriate handling of archival materials, photographs, and rare books.

• As Rare Books’ registrar, work directly with donors to Rare Books collections. Execute gift documents; participate in pick up or delivery of gifts; report gifts in kind to the University’s Office of Advancement as required; create accession records for gifts in kind in ArchivesSpace.

• Oversee transfer of books, including rare books, to Technical Services for cataloging and eventual receipt back to ASC for shelving. Prepare books for shelving, including creating shelving labels on archival slips for books. Shelve books and supervise students in shelving books in appropriate locations and collections.

• Prepare collections for use by researchers, including physical arrangement; preservation rehousing; creation of descriptions; consultation of controlled vocabulary thesauri to apply precise terminology; creating and updating finding aids in ArchivesSpace.

• Manage ASC’s social media accounts and lead the creation of promotional content about ASC collections and programming. May collaborate with partners in the Libraries, the University of Louisville’s Office of Communication and Marketing, and other stakeholders on announcements, event postings, and media campaigns directed toward university community members, donors, and the public.

• Collaborate with supervisor, Director of ASC, the Libraries’ Communications and Marketing Specialist, external relations, and relevant university employees around promoting and documenting advancement activities of ASC.

• As a member of the ASC Outreach team, participates in tabling on behalf of ASC to promote the library’s services and materials to university community members and the public.

• May participate in the planning and implementation of ASC exhibits and installations, including materials selection, event coordination, and promotion.

• May supervise student employees, enabling them to acquire transferrable workplace and life skills through hands-on, engaged experiences in ASC.

• Perform routine maintenance checks on ASC facilities and public spaces with supervisor. May coordinate with Facilities Management about spatial upkeep and concerns.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Experience in an academic library and/or cultural heritage setting. 

·       Experience with research in archival collections.

·       Commitment to learn and observe archival standards.

·       Familiarity and working knowledge of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

 Competencies

• Technical knowledge: familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Suite.

• Archival literacy: general knowledge of archival collections, reference and research practices.

• Attention to detail: ability to accurately identify, record and organize precise information for the functions of this position, including the creation of access tools.

• Communication: communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual documents, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills.

• Teamwork: ability to work with others, serve others, help others, lead others, mentor others, take directions from others in the interest of moving process and programs forward to the desired outcome.

• Public service orientation: ability to cheerfully welcome and provide excellent directional and reference service to researchers while also working in an environment with interruptions and multiple demands on attention.

• Flexibility: ability to re-align tasks and work change priorities as necessary to best meet the goals and objectives of ASC.

• Familiarity with physical care and handling of rare and fragile materials. 

Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The University strives to provide equal employment opportunity on the basis of merit and without unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, or pregnancy. In accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veteran Readjustment Act of 1974, the University prohibits job discrimination of individuals with disabilities, Vietnam era veterans, qualified special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans. The University acknowledges its obligations to ensure affirmative steps are taken to ensure equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of the University that no employee or applicant for employment be subject to unlawful discrimination in terms of recruitment, hiring, promotion, contract, contract renewal, tenure, compensation, benefits, and/or working conditions. No employee or applicant for employment is required to endorse or condemn a specific ideology, political viewpoint, or social viewpoint to be eligible for hiring, contract renewal, tenure, or promotion.

Consistent with applicable law, demographic information is collected for aggregate reporting requirements. Demographic information provided through this application is not available to hiring managers/committees and is not considered in hiring or employment decisions.

Assistance and Accommodations

Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 2315 South First Street Walk, Room 02C - Louisville, Kentucky 40292.

If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at employment@louisville.edu or by phone 502-852-6258.