SUMMARY:

The Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library is looking for a highly motivated individual to broaden access and the discoverability of Historically Black College and University’s cultural heritage collections in a full-time, temporary position. Working with the Archives Research Center and the Digital Services Department, this 4-year project is responsible for serving as a Traveling Archivist in support of the HBCU Digital Library Trust initiative.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The AUC Woodruff Library is a digitization service hub for the HBCU libraries that have elected to participate in this initiative. The services provided will serve as a model for sustaining and deepening the capacity for digitizing, discovering, and preserving collections at HBCUs. The Traveling Archivist will work with the Digitization Project Manager to assess the condition, advise on preservation, and provide limited processing for unique and original archival materials including but not limited to, photographs, documents, publications, and audio and video formats from HBCU Libraries located around the U.S both in-person and remotely. This position will also work with the HBCU Libraries and archives to re-house, package, and safely ship materials to the service hub. This position involves extensive travel to different locations to work with local library staff to collect, assess, and manage participating collections. The Traveling Archivist will work with the digitization project staff onsite at the AUC Woodruff Library and coordinate with other members of the HBCU Digital Library Trust staff.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead arrangement, appraisal, and description of archival materials following professional standards and institutional best practices.
• Travel to HBCUs that have elected to participate in the HBCU Library Digital Trust to assess the condition of archival materials and advise on safe packaging and shipping techniques for unique collections.
• Conduct on-site assessments of collections across various archival and special collections.
• Perform basic preservation and processing workflows for archival materials including re-housing and surface cleaning.
• Conduct preservation assessments to determine appropriate preservation treatment and archival storage decisions.
• Implement preservation and conservation strategies for fragile or valuable materials encountered during travel.
• Provide guidance and support on archival best practices to ensure compliance with archival standards.
• Make recommendations for archival materials for digitization including assisting with conducting inventories, identification, and packaging material.
• Assist in the creation of descriptive inventories for archival collections.
• Participate in team meetings, and provide status updates, and project reports. 
• Other duties as assigned

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of archival arrangement and description for manuscripts and archives in many formats including photographs, scrapbooks, posters, audio, and other materials.
• Experience arranging and describing manuscripts and/or large, complex archival collections using the MPLP, maximal or extensible processing method.
• Demonstrated experience with basic preservation and conservation standards for archival and manuscript collections.
• Strong knowledge of archival principles, standards, and best practices.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in archival software and cataloging systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel extensively and work in different environments.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work, with strong project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications, and computer skills.
• Experience with standard office software such as Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Sensitivity in handling fragile archival materials.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science or advanced degree with experience relevant to the position.
• Demonstrated knowledge of 20th-century African American history, literature, and culture, highly desirable.
• Knowledge of technologies and archival content management systems desirable.
• Ability to perform physical activities associated with the archival environment.
• Two years of experience working in an archival repository or library with experience in completing processing projects.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Hybrid onsite/remote work
• Salary commensurate with experience
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and company-paid disability plans.
• Company match retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

The Robert W. Woodruff Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more about our Library, visit us online at www.auctr.edu.

EMPLOYEE REFERRAL PROGRAM:

Please be reminded that RWWL has an Employee Referral program in place!

This policy applies to everyone who refers a candidate to the Library for full-time positions. For every candidate you refer who is hired and completes their first 90 days with the Library, the referring employee will receive a referral of $500.00!

Your name must be listed on the candidate’s application to receive the referral fee.