Stefan George Collection Processing Assistant

Davidson College Library seeks an Collection Processing Assistant that is an enthusiastic future research scholar with strong German-language skills to support the intellectual description and initial processing of a newly acquired collection of approximately 500 volumes (approx. 25 linear feet) of books by and about German translator and poet Stefan George (1868–1933) and his literary circle. The assistant will help make the collection more discoverable through improved bibliographic description and will contribute to documenting its provenance and research value for future teaching, learning, and scholarship.

This collection includes relative rarities as well as standard bibliographic works and will significantly strengthen Davidson’s holdings in twentieth-century German literature and Stefan George studies. The assistant will help make the collection more discoverable through improved bibliographic description and will contribute to documenting its provenance and research value for future teaching, learning, and scholarship.

Expected Time Commitment : 25 hours/week, May 18–July 31, 2026

Responsibilities

• Review & enhance catalog records for collection items, augmenting available records in OCLC (or Deutsche Nationalbibliothek as needed) to reflect item-specific details for Davidson’s copy. Contribute descriptive information for items requiring original cataloging.
• Create an annotated bibliography of collected works, including evidentiary information on provenance, bookseller marks, ownership inscriptions, dedications, bookplates, pricing marks, and other traces of prior ownership/history.
• Support curatorial review and stewardship , flagging items that appear rare, valuable, fragile, or in need of conservation; or which might be appropriate for restricted lending.
• Craft a descriptive essay , suitable for publication in short form in the Davidson Journal (or similar) and as a long-form item for the web, about the collection and the key figures in it, explaining how and why researching this collection furthers the role of the humanities at Davidson.
• Support curricular use of the Stefan George collection by identifying and recommending a set of works that can anchor an instructional unit in a future course on Weimar Culture. Prepare brief item notes highlighting the work’s relevance, and in cooperation with the assigned instructor, suggest discussion prompts that support critical engagement with primary & secondary source works.

Desired Skills

• German language ability at B2 level (or equivalent)
• Knowledge of twentieth-century German literature, literary movements, aesthetics, intellectual history, art history, history of ideas, etc..
• Interest in humanities research and working directly with historical print materials.
• Ability to read / interpret / contribute descriptive bibliographic information.
• Writing skills suited to producing clear descriptive summaries for non-specialist audiences.
• Careful attention to detail; ability to follow documentation practices consistently.
• Ability to work independently, manage time well, and seek guidance when needed.

Information about how to submit an application can be found at https://employment.davidson.edu.