Archivist

Columbia University Libraries is seeking two Archivists in the Drawings & Archives department at the Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library. The Avery Library houses rich collection materials on architecture, historic preservation, art history, painting, sculpting, graphic arts, decorative arts, city planning, real estate, and archaeology, from all areas of the world and many time periods. Avery Library also houses three distinct and special collections: Art Properties, Avery Classics Collection, and Drawings & Archives.

Reporting to the Curator, Drawings & Archives, the Archivist evaluates, arranges and describes visual materials and archival collections related to architectural design and practice including: architectural drawings, photography, and born-digital architectural design files. The Archvist will provide public services and outreach through consultation, reference, instruction, and presentation; assist Curator with acquisitions and exhibition loans, and collaborate with department staff on planning and coordinating departmental activities such as exhibition preparation, preservation of materials and work by students and interns.

Responsibilities:

• Arranges and describes collections consisting of all format types (manuscript, drawings, audio-visual, photographic, born-digital, etc.) where specialized knowledge of architectural nomenclature and design process is critical.
• Assesses and resolves collection preservation needs while preparing materials for offsite storage transfer.
• Coordinates and participates in D&A's distributed reference service and supports D&A course-integrated instruction, public programming, and outreach. Develops archival instruction sessions tailored to students embarking on architectural research projects. With the D&A team, supervises the reading room.
• Assists in department curatorial activities including archival assessment and packing of new collections and preparation for exhibition loans and imaging orders. Participates in digital projects and the management of digital assets in JSTOR Forum and the DLC.
• Helps manage collections throughout the duration of the materials' lifecycle including space management and inventory control, ensuring a high-level of security at all times.
• With D&A's curator, coordinates work for project archivists and GAs/Interns.
• Participates in unit-wide, library-wide, and profession-wide planning and committee activities. Participates on CUL committees and pursue local, national and international opportunities for professional development.

Minimum Degree Required:

• MLS, MLIS with concentration in archives management or equivalent experience.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in arranging, describing, and processing archival collections and preparing finding aids of varying size and complexity. Proficiency in utilizing various levels of processing.
• Demonstrated experience in developing processing plans, establishing timelines and successfully completing projects in a timely fashion.
• Knowledge of best practices for born-digital material.
• Minimum of 1-3 years' experience processing archival collections.
• Knowledge of archival materials and preservation practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills including accuracy and a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to facilitate collaboration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the architectural history or practice, and the proper handling, care, and storage of architectural records.
• Demonstrated experience arranging, describing, and processing architectural collections.
• Demonstrated experience with ArchivesSpace.
• Proficiency in DACS, EAD, LCSH, AAT, XML, HTML, metadata development.
• Evidence of professional activity and contributions.
• Project management and supervisory experience with different levels of staff and students.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.