Closing Date:
8/13/23, 11:59 p.m.
Do you want to work where you can enrich the lives of the people in your community? The Urbana Free Library seeks a service-oriented, self-motivated individual to manage the Champaign County Historical Archives (CCHA). Duties include managing all aspects of the Archives and supervising Archives staff and volunteers. The CCHA is a department of the Library that maintains a research-level collection on the history and genealogy of Champaign County and its residents. The CCHA has diverse and outstanding collections, including over one million photographs; 25,000 books and journals; 500 maps; 250 oral histories; newspapers, newsletters, directories, and yearbooks. The Urbana Free Library has been serving the community for over 145 years – providing access to diverse resources and programs to encourage learning and enhance lives. If you are a friendly, energetic, and collaborative leader who would enjoy working in a community-centered environment, the Library invites you to apply. Full job description
Position Type:
Full-Time/Exempt
Location:
The Urbana Free Library
Pay Grade:
38 ($59,946-$77,930/year) plus excellent benefits
Job Summary:
The Champaign County Historical Archives Manager oversees and supervises the work of the Archives staff and the overall workflow of the Archives’ service desk. Provides oversight for collection development and preservation of a diverse, research-level collection comprised of digital and physical materials. Promotes the Library and Archives to the community. Exemplifies the characteristics of a collaborative, innovative, and resilient work culture and models the appropriate behavior to create and maintain this work culture. The Archives Manager reports to an Associate Director.
The Ideal Candidate:

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to excellent public service; works with others in a consistently approachable, cooperative, enthusiastic, and effective manner despite numerous competing requests.
• Has good organizational, interpersonal, and decision-making skills to work effectively with patrons, staff, and visitors.
• Employs best practices for employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review, and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Has excellent communication skills and public service manner.
• Has a thorough knowledge of library and archives operations.

Required Qualifications:

• American Library Association-accredited Masters of Information or Library Science degree or equivalent.
• At least three years’ experience in archives, special collections, or similar, at least two of which have been supervisory.
• Demonstrated experience managing archival and special collections in all formats, including accessioning and processing archival collections.
• Demonstrated experience with preservation methods and procedures for archival materials in multiple formats.
• Demonstrated experience with providing public, research, and outreach services for archival and special collections.
• Experience interfacing with external stakeholders, including donors and community heritage organizations.
• Demonstrated experience with the digitization of unique materials and born-digital archival and special collections materials, including digitization techniques and knowledge of digital formats, data management, and appropriate metadata schema.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Public library experience preferred.
• Prior experience with Polaris ILS, Omeka, and PastPerfect software desired.
• Bilingual skills (especially Spanish, French, or Chinese) desired.

Applications will not be considered without ALL of the following credentials:The position will remain open until filled, but for fullest consideration applications must be received by 11:59 p.m., Sunday, August 13, 2023.
Selection Process:
Each application that meets the minimum requirements, that is complete, and that has been submitted using the online application and before the job posting fullest consideration date, will be considered. Complete applications that meet the minimum requirements and that are submitted after Sunday, August 13, 2023, will be considered only if necessary. Paper submissions will not be accepted.
Panel Interviews. At least two people will be present on the panels. Applicants will be asked a list of standard questions. In the interviews, we will want to learn about you, your experiences, and how you would function in a library setting. We expect to schedule these interviews in August 2023.
Contacting References. We will contact former employers of candidate finalists before making a decision.
Selection/Appointment. Although selection is based on the successful completion of all the above components, the nature of the selection process allows any single component to eliminate a candidate from further consideration. As a final step, the Library appoints a candidate from those who are available to accept the position.
Accommodations:
The Urbana Free Library provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If you need information, please contact The Urbana Free Library at 217-367-4057.