Special Collections & Archives Specialist - Library

TWU•Denton, TX

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Collections and Archives Specialist will provide highly responsible archival care, collection curation, and preservation for the Special Collections and University Archives Department. The position will also be responsible for assisting patrons with primary resources and providing high level research services to scholars, educators, journalists, and filmmakers. Work is performed under limited supervision and performance is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies and Procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in History, Art, Gender Studies, Multicultural Studies, or Women’s Studies.
Coursework in collection management, collection curation, metadata creation, and archival theory, practice, and methodology preferred.
Five years of previous academic library experience required.
Experienced working with desktop computer technology required.
Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.
All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.
Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license.
Must maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials.
Demonstrated knowledge of the following metadata standards: MARC; Dublin Core; EAD; METS; MODS.
Knowledge of classification standards, authority records, and bibliographic standards including AACR2 and DACS.
Knowledge of best practices for managing and preserving digital collections.
Knowledge of data management issues and trends including knowledge of applications for organizing and managing research data.
Demonstrated presentation and project management experience.
Knowledge of archival practices and records maintenance skills.
Knowledge of electronic records management and digital preservation theory principles, practices, and methodology.
Skilled in Microsoft and Adobe software including Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Google Office Suite.
Proven marketing skill including development of print collateral and electronic content.
Advanced research skills using electronic and printed sources.
Ability to utilize computer technology to access, gather, compile, examine, arrange, and analyze data and generate reports and communicate with others.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, high level communication skills including written and verbal, advanced presentation and public speaking skills.
Ability to champion the benefits of preserving women’s history especially papers, documents, records, photographs, video, audio, artifacts, clothing, textiles, ephemera, and born-digital assets.
Ability to problem-solve and prioritize.
Ability to work independently and creatively, collaboratively, and effectively as a team member and independently to promote teamwork within the organization and to maintain effective work relationships with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
Ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives, and exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
Ability to interpret, adapt, apply, and integrate resources, policies, and information for the determination of procedures, solutions, and other outcomes.
Ability to handle multiple and simultaneous tasks with ease.
Ability to work effectively with a variety of groups and different audiences.
Ability to have great attention to detail, accuracy, follow through, and be highly organized.
Ability to deal well within a fast-paced and changing environment.
Ability to deliver a superior customer service experience to a broad range of patrons.
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
Ability to implement short- and long- range goals.
Ability to use digital cameras.
Ability to lead and train student assistants and to organize and schedule work assignments.
Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email.

Nice To Haves

Experience with women’s history, visual acumen, working with faculty, staff, and donors external to the library, and capacity to thrive in a changing environment preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs receptionist duties; organizes and maintains filing system and correspondence for the department.
Answers routine questions regarding access of special collections; resolves patron issues; and completes service requests submitted via email, phone, and/or in-person.
Refers department email and reference questions to appropriate personnel in Special Collections and University Archives department.
Analyzes, organizes, describes, sorts, and arranges collections according to professional best practices and national standards.
Prepares documents, photographs, clothing and textiles, and artifacts for storage and filed in its proper location for retrieval.
Maintains databased and creates collection level records for Special Collections and University Archives.
Facilitates the creation/acquisition, processing, storage, and preservation of special collections.
Establishes, refines, and documents guidelines, procedures, and workflows for archival processing and cataloging in accordance with national standards and best practices.
Accessions new collections and updates acquisition files and databases.
Maintains the quality and accuracy of bibliographic and related records in the library’s content management system, CONENTdm, through updates, corrections, and authority control.
Assists patrons on the use of databases and other library resources face-to-face, on the phone, and online as needed.
In consultation with the Senior Assistant Dean of Special Collections and University Archives, selects and processes manuscript collections.
Acquires materials in all formats and contributes to access and use of the special collections.
Assists in managing administrative and donor records for all special collections and university archives.
Interacts with prospective donors and negotiates the transfer and disposition of collections and deeds of gifts.
Participates in shifting and stacks maintenance of special collections.
Participates in public service hours in the Catherine Merchant Reading Room as well as fulfilling external requests.
Assists in preparation and set up for special events.
Assists in monitoring tables and booths for special events on and off campus.
Tracks inquiries, service requests, time, consultations, and number of boxes destroyed and/or for storage for reporting purposes.
Creates university and departmental forms in Adobe Acrobat, Excel, MS Word and Google.
Provides reference and research support to TWU personnel and external patrons inquiring about the university history and the holdings that are part of the Woman’s Collection.
Assists in the preparation of procedure manuals and documentation of archival and collection systems.
Assists in the collection and reporting of statistics.
Supports the curation, research, installation, and deinstallation of exhibits.
Helps produce content for social media posts.
Conducts oral history interviews with donors and alumnae.
Assists the Senior Assistant Dean, managers, and librarians in the department as requested.
Represents Special Collections and University Archives to external bodies across campus.
Engages in relevant professional development activities.
Performs other duties as requested.