Reporting to the Special Collections Librarian for Public Services, the Assistant Reference Archivist will provide reference service to our diverse community, support researchers in accessing and utilizing the unique archival and special collections materials, and actively engage in informal instruction opportunities. They will address a wide range of research requests, offer guidance on navigating digital and print resources, and provide in-person and virtual reference services. Assisting with providing access to our materials, the Assistant Reference Archivist will also process, describe, and accession archival and manuscript collections.

While scholarship andexternal service are not required by unit norms, instructors are encouraged tobe professionally active and are allocated professional development funds.
AboutSpecial Collections and University Archives
The Special Collections and University Archives is comprised of fourareas: public services, rare books and manuscripts, health science history, anduniversity archives. This unit focuses on collecting, preserving, documenting,and teaching the diverse history and culture of Chicago and the Chicagolandarea including but not limited to Chicago-related post-World War II politicsand advocacy; design history; women’s political activism; social justice;Century of Progress World’s Fair; artists’ books; the settlement housemovement; and the history of our university.
Duties & Responsibilities

Provide reference desk coverage and give back-up support for staff assisting researchers working in the reading room as needed.

Provide general and in-depth reference and research assistance for researchers onsite and remotely.

Arrange, describe, and preserve archives, manuscript, and image collections according to established standards and local policies and procedures.

Assist with individualized research instruction to students and faculty and participate in instructional orientation sessions.

Collaborate with the other SCUA staff in the day-to-day operations of the department, such as assisting with outreach, exhibits, special programming, social media, and the development and implementation of department policies and guidelines.

Perform special projects and other related duties as assigned.