Loyola University Chicago (Loyola) welcomes applications for the position of Assistant University Archivist at the Loyola University Chicago Archives & Special Collections. This position reports to and works with the University Archivist/Curator of Rare Books on providing research and learning services; building and preserving collections; collaborating with teaching and library faculty on primary resource instruction sessions and other projects; working with student staff and interns; engaging in outreach through physical and digital exhibits and social media; and representing the library and university at events and conferences and on consortia.

The Loyola University Chicago Archives & Special Collections is a highly valued partner in teaching, research, and learning at the University. A full-time staff of two archivists serves the students, staff, faculty, and administration of all Loyola campuses, as well as alumni and non-Loyola researchers. Archives staff are dedicated to acquiring, preserving, and making accessible university records documenting the goals, objectives, and programs of Loyola University Chicago. Additionally, archivists are responsible for the collections in Chicago history, Catholic history, entertainment history, U.S. Congressional papers, business history, political cartoons, and rare books that form the core of Special Collections. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice is a priority of the Loyola Archives & Special Collections. Archivists are actively engaged in reassessing description of all collections to support anti-racist pedagogy and highlight inclusive perspectives in the collections for use by all researchers. The successful candidate will be based at the Lake Shore Campus but will work with departments at all campuses and serve users from both the Loyola community and the public. Opportunities for continuing education and training to develop skills and competencies related to the job are available, encouraged, and supported.

This is a non-tenured, open-rank, library faculty position with opportunities for promotion. All applicants interested in applying their skills and knowledge at the Loyola Archives & Special Collections are welcome. Archivists work in a collegial and supportive environment where teamwork and collaboration are key. Experimentation and creative problem solving are highly encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Arrange and describe collections according to archival standards.
• Preserve digital materials according to digital preservation standards.
• Design and create physical and digital exhibits.
• Engage in outreach regarding the transfer of records to university archives.
• Assist in acquisition of collections.
• Promote the department through social media.
• Provide archival reference services for in-person and remote researchers.
• Collaborate with the university archivist, faculty, and librarians on designing and facilitating primary resource instruction.
• Collaborate with Library Systems on projects.
• Participate on the Digital Preservation Committee and other relevant library committees.
• Assist in supervising student staff and interns.
• Contribute to the creation, implementation, and revision of policies, procedures, and workflows for the department.
• Other duties as

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library and information science program with a specialization in archives, or a graduate degree in a related field with a specialization in archives.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in an archives or special collections unit.
• Knowledge and understanding of archival theory and practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of archival descriptive standards and other metadata standards.
• Demonstrated experience in arranging, describing, and preserving manuscript and archival collections in physical and digital formats.
• Demonstrated experience with archival content management systems and digital collection platforms.
• Demonstrated experience providing reference services.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Ability to read cursive and other handwriting styles.
• Commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in our workplace, as well as in the systems and services we build, as an equity and social justice

Preferred qualifications

• Certification from the Academy of Certified Archivists.
• Ability to recognize and deal with confidential information according to departmental policies; state, federal, and international laws; and archival best practices and standards.
• Experience with DACS, Dublin Core, EAD, PBCore, and other metadata schema.
• Experience with Preservica, Omeka S, Past-Perfect, Archive-It, and other platforms and collection management systems.
• Supervisory experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with primary resource literacy design and instruction.

About Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago is Chicago’s Jesuit Catholic University. Loyola is among a select group of universities recognized for community service and engagement by prestigious national organizations including the Carnegie Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service. At Loyola University Chicago, we are driven by our Jesuit tradition of social justice, our service to humanity, and our commitment to help create a more equitable and sustainable future for local and global communities. The Loyola University Chicago Libraries includes the Information Commons, Cudahy Library, and the Library Storage Facility at the Lakeshore Campus in Rogers Park; Lewis Library at the Water Tower Campus along the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago; and a library at the John Felice Rome Center in Italy. The University Libraries has an annual materials budget exceeding $6 million. Collections include more than 1.1 million volumes, 550 databases, 60,000 journals, and a variety of physical and streaming media resources.

Connections working at Loyola University Chicago