POSITION: University Archivist

UNIT:

REPORTS TO: Director, McCormick Library of Special Collections & University Archives

Summary

Northwestern University Libraries seek a dynamic, creative, and collaborative candidate for University Archivist. As a highly visible representative of the University Archives, Northwestern Libraries, and the University overall, the University Archivist will build on a rich archival record of Northwestern's history and engage actively with faculty, students, alumni, and others from across the campus and wider Northwestern community locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. As part of a coordinated succession plan to ensure continuity in expertise, services, and strategy, the University Archivist will begin by working closely with the recently appointed University Historian to gain familiarity with collections, provide specialized research service, collaborate on operational matters, contribute to outreach activities, assist in donor relations, and participate in the full range of University Archives activities and functions.

Positioned organizationally in the Charles Deering McCormick Library of Special Collections and University Archives, the University Archivist works in a team environment with other curators, librarians, and specialized staff to support research, teaching, and learning at Northwestern and a global clientele of scholars, alumni, cultural institutions, and others whose work draws on Northwestern's distinctive holdings. The University Archivist's direct role ultimately will entail coordinating all aspects of University Archives, including acquiring and managing collections, providing in-depth research assistance and teaching, engaging in public events that highlight University Archives and Northwestern history, and cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, and others to advance these efforts. The University Archivist also is a key point of contact for University administration, including the Office of the President, Alumni Relations and Development, and Athletics, providing information and contributing often to wider alumni- and donor-relations efforts.

While documenting Northwestern's past and present are central responsibilities, the University Archivist also will have a vital role in shaping the future of University Archives and Northwestern Libraries by pursuing new digital strategies for archival material acquisition, delivery, display, preservation and studies.

These opportunities reflect a new vision and priorities for Northwestern Libraries led by our new Dean to activate the Libraries' historical strengths in ways that support and accelerate emerging methods in research, discovery, preservation, and engagement.

Key Responsibilities

* Directs and sets priorities for University Archives to document the history of Northwestern University and provide access to materials in support of research, teaching, learning, and enrichment of Northwestern faculty, students, staff, alumni, and community members as well as researchers worldwide.

* Cultivates relationships with Northwestern alumni, campus units and groups, and others to raise awareness of University Archives. This includes active partnership with Alumni Relations and Development in donor engagement, events, and other activities to foster enthusiasm and support for Northwestern, including the donation of materials to University Archives

* Maintains extensive knowledge on the history of Northwestern University and shares expertise by providing in-depth research assistance and group instruction on University history and the use of University Archives. Responds promptly to queries from the Office of the President, Alumni Relations and Development, and other administrative units, including handling confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

* Develops exhibits, events, digital projects, and other initiatives and programming in partnership with other units of the Libraries and University.

* Oversees the management of University Archives' collections in terms of receiving, organizing, preserving, and providing access to materials in collaboration with other curators, librarians, staff, project hires, interns and volunteers of the McCormick Library.

* Contributes to the strategic management of resources, including budgets, spaces, and staff support, for University Archives, the McCormick Library, and Northwestern Libraries.

* Serves as an active member of the Libraries' staff, including participation on committees and other bodies as appropriate.

* Participates in the re-envisioning of digital scholarship and library services with interest in ongoing innovation, new technologies, and evolving responsibilities in a dynamic digital research environment.

* Engages in appropriate professional development, continuing education, research activities, and service to the University.

Qualifications

* Graduate degree in library and information science, archival studies, museum studies, or related field of the humanities or social sciences.

* Five or more years' experience overseeing and contributing to daily operations of an archive or similar materials-oriented service, including direct research service, teaching, and collection development and management.

* Thorough knowledge of best practices for managing archival materials, including handling, description, preservation, access conventions, copyright and legal concerns, and other matters relating to materials in all formats.

* Excellent written and oral communication, organizational skills, responsiveness, and professional judgement and discretion, with a proactive, energetic, flexible, and creative approach overall.

* Broad knowledge of history, with interest in learning and developing knowledge in the history of Northwestern University, with understanding of research methods involving primary sources.

* Experience using digital archival management software and awareness of current and emerging trends in archives management, access, and research approaches.

* Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

* Successful experience or demonstrated aptitude for working with donors.

* Knowledge of archival theory, issues, trends, and best practices, including descriptive standards, metadata, preservation principles, and concepts related to digitized and born-digital materials.

* Understanding of records management principles.

* Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to build relationships, communicate effectively, and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

* Record of accomplishment in collection development and management, including digitized and born-digital materials

To apply:

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references. Please apply for this position on the Northwestern University HR Recruitment Website. In your application, note which pronouns you use. The minimum starting salary for this position is $85,000 annually. Offers will be based on candidate experience and education, as well as equity within Northwestern University. First consideration will be given to applications received by January 05, 2024.

Library Environment:

Northwestern University is a selective private university with campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois and in Doha, Qatar. One of the leading private research libraries in the United States, Northwestern University Library serves the educational and information needs of the NU community as well as scholars around the world. Its collection contains more than 7 million volumes, a full array of digital resources, and collections of distinction in Africana, transportation, and 20th-century and contemporary music. Northwestern is a member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA). See more information about University Libraries at: http://www.library.northwestern.edu

Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:

• Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
• Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
• Please also prepare a list of names and email addresses for your external academic references; your references will be contacted directly by the online system and invited to upload their letters on your behalf.
• All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the "Submit" button.
• Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.

Applications accepted here:

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.