Librarian/Archivist

Adler Planetarium•Chicago, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Adler Planetarium is seeking an Archivist/Librarian to join its dynamic team on Chicago's Museum Campus. This union position is responsible for the Adler Planetarium’s library, institutional archives, and other archival collections. The role involves leading the use, growth, and promotion of library and archival materials in public programs, special events, social media, and digital projects. The Archivist/Librarian will also manage the library database, perform cataloging, oversee conservation, supervise interns and volunteers, and utilize archival collections to expand understanding of Adler's institutional history. Additionally, this role will collaborate with the IT team on digital access management and retention policies, process physical and digital archival collections, organize audio/visual collections, and support scholarly research. The position also involves managing research appointments, handling copyright and reproduction requests, developing outreach initiatives, creating exhibits, coordinating publications, and applying for grants.

Requirements

MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited library school, with a focus on rare books, archives, or special collections
Two years’ experience as a librarian and/or archivist in a rare book library, archives, or special collection
Knowledge of MARC format and Library of Congress Classification System
OCLC knowledge and experience
Experience using digital databases to catalog rare books, library, and archival materials
Experience digitizing archival collections and creating finding aids and reference guides
Awareness of museum, library, and archival content standards, controlled vocabularies, and data structure standards
Awareness of content standards (such as AARC2 or DACS)
Experience with planning and executing large-scale digitization and digital access projects, including scanning and metadata creation
Ability to communicate effectively
Ability to solve problems creatively
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team and across the institution on multi-departmental projects
Comfortable engaging with staff and visitors
Comfortable speaking publicly about the Adler’s library and archival holdings

Nice To Haves

MLS or MLIS plus coursework in history, art history, museum studies, history of science, or a field related to the library and collections
Five years’ experience in archives, rare book libraries, and/or special collections collections
Expertise in the history of science or the history of astronomy
Experience performing historical research with library holdings
Experience implementing established vocabularies (such as LOC Authorities) and data structure standards (such as EAD and MARC)
Experience with Axiell collections databases

Responsibilities

Establishing, implementing, and maintaining library procedures and guidelines
Managing the database of library holdings
Purchasing and accessioning new acquisitions
Performing copy and original cataloging of rare and modern books
Researching and writing finding aids
Overseeing conservation work performed by contract conservators
Supervise and coordinate the work of interns and volunteers working on library and archive collections
Using the Archives collection to expand understanding of Adler's institutional history
Working with Adler’s IT team to create and manage digital access management and institutional archives retention policy
Accessioning, processing, and managing physical and digital archival collections
Organizing and managing audio/visual archival collection and developing ways to make it publicly and institutionally accessible
Working with the Curator & Director of Collections to use the library to expand the understanding of the history of astronomy by participating in scholarly research using the Adler's holdings, and by supporting the work of internal and visiting researchers
Arranging, monitoring, and managing research appointments related to archival and rare books collections, and maintaining records of such appointments
Overseeing copyright and image reproduction requests
Developing, leading, and participating in outreach initiatives using library and archival holdings, such as participating in social media, evening events, and programs on the museum floor
Developing and implementing exhibits, both on the museum floor and online through the Adler’s Google Arts and Culture page
Coordinating the development and distribution of publications
Applying for grant funding as needed