Archivist and Librarian for Special Collections

Archivist and Librarian for Special Collections July 30, 2024

Summary of the Position :

Preserve, organize, and promote Lake Forest College’s historical records and special collections, digitally and physically.

Facilitate research opportunities for the College community and external constituents. Collaborate to create a records retention policy for the College.

Provide instruction and opportunities for classes to engage with primary sources in the Archives and Special Collections.

This is a cross-functional role both within the library and with offices across campus, including Advancement, Alumni Relations, Communications and Marketing, Additionally, 25% of this position provides archivist support for the Krebs Center for the Humanities.

Responsibilities : Instruction

Instruction

Provide opportunities for classes to visit the archives and experience research using primary documents to engage with Lake Forest College’s history.

Collaborate with faculty to incorporate the Archives & Special Collections into the College’s liberal arts curriculum

As part of the library team, provide library instruction as needed

Research

• Respond to and directly support research needs of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and researchers from around the worldregarding materials in the Archives & Special Collections
• As needed, answer general reference questions as part of the library team

Collection Management

• Identify, preserve, and provide access to materials with lasting historical significance for the College, as well as primary sources that connect to the College’s curriculum
• In collaboration with others, create a records retention policy for the College
• Prepare finding aids and metadata to facilitate access by researchers

Day-to-Day Operations

Manage student workers, budget, and facilities supporting the department’s academic and collection objectives

Digital Collections

• Collaborate with Systems Librarian and ITS to find a new digital platform for our finding aids
• In collaboration with Systems Librarian, explore a potential institutional repository and its implementation

Collaboration

• Provide archivist support for alumni relations, fundraising and grants
• Promote the rich history of Lake Forest College through exhibits, events and publications
• Additional responsibilities in support of the Krebs Center for the Humanities encompass 25% of the job and are listed separately below

Responsibilities in support of the Krebs Center for the Humanities :

Collection Management and Documentation :

• Maintain and improve digital records of the Krebs Center art collection
• Assist in preservation planning for artworks and historical objects
• Document key Krebs Center activities and conservation efforts

HUMAN AI Project Support and Digital Initiatives :

• Contribute historical and contextual information about artworks for Cosimo, the HUMAN AI docent system under development
• Develop metadata and tagging systems for digital initiatives

Research and Programming Support :

• Assist faculty and students in accessing Krebs Center resources
• Provide archival materials and context for events, exhibitions, and grant applications

Requirements :

• Master’s degree from an ALA-Accredited program in library and information science
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience
• Ability to engage with students, faculty, staff and others in a friendly and professional manner
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues
• Knowledge of and familiarity with basic archives skills, including processing, access and use, provenance and donor relations, and preservation
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong interest in understanding the College’s history, traditions, and culture to effectively manage and preserve its records and collections.
• Value cultural diversity
• Experience facilitating research questions and consultations
• Instructional experience at the college-level is highly desirable; instructional experience in other environments considered
• Knowledge of trends in archives / special collections, liberal arts education, and higher education in general

Preferred Requirements :

• Experience working with a diverse population
• Supervisory experience (student worker supervisory experience acceptable)
• Interest in Italian Renaissance

To apply please submit a cover letter and resume to : [email protected]

Lake Forest College embraces diversity and encourages applications from women, members of historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

For more information about Lake Forest College, visit www.lakeforest.edu.