Special Collections Archivist
Department: Public Services
Pay Grade: 113
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary: $49,000- $61,000 annually
JOB SUMMARY
The Special Collections Archivist is responsible for profession, special collections work providing customer service to researchers of local history, genealogy and African American History. The position is responsible for the organization, care and access to collections and developing programs and providing reference services that promote the specialized collections of the Carnegie Library Heritage Center and the Kay Kole Genealogy Room. This position will involve establishing collection profiles and selection guidelines to build the resource collection, evaluating existing collection strengths, and fostering effective relationships with vendors, organizations, communities, individuals, and colleagues to develop collections. The Special Collections Archivist reports to the Special Collections Library Manager.
Success in this role will require excellent relationship-building skills to ensure that the collections align with institutional priorities and that programmatic offerings impact the Savannah communities served through these collections. The incumbent will select materials for acquisition in all appropriate formats through donation or purchase in alignment with the priorities of the Live Oak Public Library. Under the direction of the Special Collections Manager, the Special Collections Archivist, will attend to the big-picture goal of building the collection and the day-to-day administrative details necessary to realize acquisitions successfully. The incumbent will establish long-term relationships with donors to support the library’s financial capacity to acquire and care for its collections.
The archivist works as a team member within the Carnegie Library Heritage Center with responsibility for training and working with volunteers. The position collaborates with staff throughout the Library system. The Archivist provides direct customer service and reference and instruction support for individuals and groups. The position provides excellent customer service, demonstrating the ability to communicate effectively with people regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, ability level or background.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Archival Processing and Description
Arrange, describe, and process archival and manuscript collections in accordance with professional standards and best practices.
Create and edit finding aids and collection documentation to support discovery and access.
Access, Research, and Reference Support
Support researcher access to archival materials and assist with reference inquiries related to collections. Promote responsible handling and use of archival materials.
Collections Management and Preservation
Contribute to collection maintenance, preservation workflows, and environmental best practices.
Identify preservation needs and collaborate with colleagues on long-term stewardship strategies.
Collaboration and Project Work
Work closely with librarians, and staff across LOPL to support project goals, workflows, and shared priorities. Participate in meetings and contribute to documentation and reporting related to archival projects.
Professional Practice and Compliance
Apply ethical, inclusive, and culturally responsible archival practices.
Adhere to LOPL policies, procedures, and professional standards.
Required Qualifications:
Master’s degree in library science, Archival Studies, Public History, or a related field.
Experience working with archival or special collections.
Knowledge of archival standards and best practices.
Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated knowledge of CONTENTdm or comparable platform.
Demonstrated proficiency with technical and descriptive standards.
Demonstrated proficiency in the tools and systems related to digital collections creation and management.
Knowledge of current archival practices and standards regarding digital asset management, workflow and the development and maintenance of digital collections.
Proficiency with and troubleshooting skills related to archival equipment such as scanners, microfilm readers, cameras, recording equipment, etc.
Demonstrated proficiency with image editing software, like Adobe Photoshop.
Experience with digital preservation tools comparable to Preservica, Bitcurator or Archive-It
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail are necessary.
Ability to undertake and efficiently complete long-term projects and organizational initiatives.
Excellent verbal and written communication, organization, and interpersonal skills with the ability to translate technical terms to a layperson
Must use independent judgment within procedural boundaries and possess good problem-solving skills.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a team member.
Must possess strong computer skills with the ability to use a variety of electronic and digital devices and e-resources; possess a keen interest in using and learning new technologies.
Ability to function under flexible and changing conditions.
Possess a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Knowledge of archival theory and best practices as they relate to the processing, arrangement, and description
of collections.
Knowledge of the library's organization, operation, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of library resource materials and reference sources.
Knowledge of metadata standards for creation, description, and online display of digitized materials.
Skilled in use of advanced research methods.
Skilled in proper handling and basic preservation concepts for primary source materials, both analog and digital.
Skilled in identifying unique items within special collections, ensuring preservation and promotion.
Ability to collaborate with community organizations to develop and provide programs, tours, and events to promote scholarly study and broader general appreciation of special collections.
Ability to connect with local collectors, national and international rare book dealers, binderies and auction houses for acquisition or digitization purposes.
Ability to use computer databases to include computerized catalog and circulation systems.
Ability to accurately research, record, and preserve current and past events.
Ability to interview and gather data.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with arts-related or culturally significant collections.
Licenses or Certifications:
Valid driver’s license and insurability required.
Must have reliable transportation to be able to travel between library locations.
Special Requirements:
Must be able to work nights and weekends, stand for extensive periods during the workday, and perform duties at other library locations.
An employee in this class must be physically able to operate various job-related machines and/or office equipment and move or carry job-related objects and materials.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Must possess interpersonal skills to work effectively with multi-level staff, patrons, and community group members from all socioeconomic, educational, literacy, and cultural backgrounds.
Creates strong morale and spirit in his/her team.
Fosters open dialogue.
Defines success in terms of the whole team. Creates a feeling of belonging in the team.
Empowers others and creates a climate where people want to do their best.
Invites input from each person and shares ownership and visibility.
Adept at process management; knows how to organize people and activities. Can simplify complex processes, see opportunities for synergy and integration, and apply appropriately to get more out of fewer resources.
Uses problem-solving methods, as well as honest analysis, to solve difficult problems. Can see hidden problems and looks beyond the obvious to get to the core issue. Investigates a variety of sources for answers.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills with proven ability to lead.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is typically performed with the employee sitting at a desk, standing for extended periods, or bending/stooping. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds routinely, climb ladders, stand for extended periods, walk within and outside branch locations, reach, bend, and stoop. A full range of hand and finger motion is required for data entry purposes. The ability to distinguish color is required for network wiring purposes. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:
Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand. Must have the ability to place records, files, and boxes weighing no more than 25 pounds on shelves about head level.
Manual Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make discrimination sound.
Hearing 2: Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make discrimination sound. Must have the ability to hear well enough to carry on a normal conversation with clients both in person and on the telephone.
Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and require full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
Visual Acuity 1: Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading. Must have the ability to see well enough to interpret data on a computer monitor.
Visual Acuity 2: Including color, depth perception, and field vision.
Visual Acuity 3: Visual Acuity determines the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures.
Visual Acuity 4: Have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment.
Visual Acuity 5: Possess close visual acuity to perform activities such as visual inspection involving small defects, handling small parts, operating machines, using measurement devices, and/or assembling or fabricating parts at distances close to the eyes.
Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable someone with a qualifying disability to perform the essential functions of the position.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Typical office/library environment.
Some fluctuations in building temperature related to HVAC problems can cause uncomfortable periods of heat or cold.
Some periods of elevated noise levels.
Some stress related to the type of work being performed may be encountered e.g., pressure related to periods of high-volume activity and multiple demands.
The work week is 40 hours. While after-hours and holiday availability are not typical, they are required. This is a salaried exempt position.
Live Oak Public Library can revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
It is the policy of the Library to provide equal employment opportunities to all people in all aspects of employer/employee relations without discrimination.