Manuscripts Archivist

Ohio University Libraries embraces a culture of connection, empowerment and sustainability. Within the university, the Libraries is a catalyst for research, creativity, student success, and transformation. Located in the scenic Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio, the city of Athens is surrounded by a patchwork of hardwood forests that constitute the Wayne National Forest. With nearly 23,000 students on the Athens campus and close to 7,500 students on five regional campuses, the university offers a diverse, dynamic, and collegial atmosphere to students, faculty, and staff.

The Manuscripts Archivist will have primary responsibility for the full lifecycle of the Libraries’ manuscripts collections including acquisition, processing, access, and outreach. In support of the Libraries’ strategic plan the person in this position will develop strategies and workflows that surface underrepresented voices within and across manuscripts collections. They will work collaboratively with Digital Initiatives staff to support the growing digital presence of Ohio University manuscripts collections. Working with Mahn Center colleagues, Subject Liaison Services, and Ohio University faculty they will integrate manuscripts collections into teaching and foster the scholarly use of the manuscript collections globally.
The Ohio University Libraries is currently reviewing options for archives information management systems and the person in this position will work closely with Metadata Services on this effort to improve description, discoverability, and access. This position is also tasked with supporting the profile and donor relationships associated with established research collections such as the Cornelius Ryan Collection of WWII papers, Alwin Nikolais and Murray Louis Dance Collection, and the George V. Voinovich Collections.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, curate, and make accessible manuscripts collections. This includes managing, prioritizing, processing, arranging, and describing collections, and creating finding aids and other documentation about the content of and procedures related to manuscript collections.
• Prioritize collections for preservation and conservation.
• Engage with donors and advocates to build and improve the collections, their viability, and accessibility. Seek grant and other funding opportunities to build, promote, protect, and develop access to the manuscript collections.
• Integrate manuscript collections into University teaching, learning, and research as well as outreach to external research communities.
• Build partnerships with faculty and other librarians to actively participate in curricular development and the use of primary resources, including through digital scholarship activities and exhibits.
• Prioritize, advocate and participate in the creation and management of digital collections drawn from or based on manuscript collections, including online exhibits. Develop and maintain the Libraries’ web presence for manuscript collections.
• Provide in-depth reference services about manuscript collections for students, faculty and global researchers.
• Engage in regular professional development through research, publications, presentations, and participation in regional, national and/or international professional bodies as part of the continuing commitment to bringing best practices and innovative services to the Libraries.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work independently and in a team-based setting where consultation, flexibility, and collaboration are essential.

Inquire

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (M.L.S./M.L.I.S.) from an ALA-accredited library school, or an equivalent accredited degree with formal training in archival theory and practice.
• Coursework, training, or experience in archival theory and practice including appraisal, processing, and description.
• Knowledge of archival principles and archival ethics.A deep interest in history and a dedication to preserving the full complexity of the cultural
• record.

• Experience applying efficient processing techniques in arranging, describing, and preserving archival collections of varying sizes and complexity.
• Experience applying archival standards and vocabularies, including EAD, DACS, and LCSH
• Familiarity with copyright and privacy restrictions as they relate to access and digitization of archival collections.
• Familiarity with archival systems such as Archives Space and CONTENTdm.
• Experience using social media in a professional setting.