Library Specialist, Collections Archivist

The Dewitt Wallace Library at Macalester College is seeking to hire a Library Specialist, Collections Archivist. This position performs essential collection management functions, including processing, accessioning, creating archival finding aids, and preservation of archival materials. This position assists the College Archivist in all other day-to-day activities of the Archives, including evaluating potential new collections for the Archives; providing reference services, outreach, and instruction; supervising student assistants; and supporting the College’s records management needs. This position serves as a member of the Collection Development and Discovery team and reports to the College Archivist.

This is a full time, 1.0 FTE position with a daily schedule of 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. Some very occasional weekend or evening hours required.

About The Archives: 

The purpose of the Macalester College Archives, housed in the library, is to preserve for research the historically valuable materials which document the origins, development, activities, and achievements of the College since its inception in 1874. The College Archives collections include newspapers, reports, meeting minutes, administrative records, student organization materials, scrapbooks, photos, audio and video recordings, buttons, posters, born-digital materials, email correspondence, social media posts, and more.

Archival Organization:

• Leads analog collection processing management, including arranging and describing archival collections in accordance with accepted standards and practices.
• Prepares detailed contextual descriptions (finding aids) of archival collections to facilitate discoverability and use by researchers and patrons.
• Carries out preservation program for the diverse types of materials related to the history of the College, both print and digital, including paper, audio and visual materials, photographs, slides, digital images, web pages, and digital archives files. Performs basic physical preservation work such as rehousing of collections in archival-quality storage materials and enclosures, assessing collection conditions, removing staples, and re-foldering.
• Digitizes archival materials and creates metadata according to pertinent local, national, and international standards.
• Collaborates on digital projects, physical and digital exhibits, publications, presentations, instructional sessions, and other outreach activities.
• Performs other essential collections management work, including verifying and updating inventories; shifting collections; paging and shelving; and sorting and filing publications and other print materials.
• Implements and follows archives policies and procedures.
• Consistently performs work with attention to detail and in a timely and accurate manner meeting the needs of the library as well as community demands.

Reference and Research Services:

• Provides reference services and research assistance for researchers regarding the use of archival collections. Researchers may include both campus community and outside patrons.

 Supervise Student Employees

• Assists with direction of student employee workflow and training.

Required Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience, minimum of 2 years of experience working with archival collections highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity. Actively engaged in learning and practicing principles of social justice and inclusion to increase individual capacity to support institutional changes that create and sustain a more welcoming and inclusive environment across the Macalester Community.
• Knowledge of or experience with standard archival principles and practices, especially metadata standards and best practices for processing analog and digital collections.
• Ability to follow and document core policies and procedures.
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work effectively and creatively independently as well as in a dynamic team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, History, or related discipline preferred. Three years or more of experience working in archives, libraries, museums, public history or research setting will be considered as a substitute for some of the above preferred education.
• Ability to evaluate collections to determine origin, importance, and condition of materials for appraisal and preservation.
• Capability to plan and manage multiple projects, including developing workflows, writing documentation, and training and supervising student assistants.
• Experienced with standard computing applications for productivity and communication.  Ability to adopt, implement and teach new technologies and library systems.

Compensation:

This is a full-time, 1.0 position with Macalester’s full benefits package and an annual starting salary of $49,632 - $51,888.

Benefits:

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan. 
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching, and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

Application Guidelines:

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by December 31st, 2024. Interviewing will begin after this date, and this role will be posted until filled. 

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager 

jhoward3@Macalester.edu

Founded in 1874, Macalester College provides students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in flourishing St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls over 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. Macalester is a preeminent liberal arts college recognized for its student service and celebration of internationalism.

At Macalester, we look at our employees through a whole-person, holistic lens. With comprehensive benefits and well-being programs, we provide and enable our community members to grow and care for themselves, their families, and one another. Our whole-hearted fidelity to community-building and social justice exemplify these ideals. Macalester College continuously prioritizes a culturally diverse and pluralistic community. We value individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. 

Our rich blend of people holding varied identities enhances our strong commitment to multiculturalism and global citizenship. We seek candidates who reflect and strengthen our campus environment. Macalester invites and encourages everyone to apply who would add depth to our community including those from all sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, religions, abilities, and ages.