Archival Processing Assistant, Library

University of Delaware; Emmendingen (Kernstadt); On-site; EUR 37,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press seeks an Archival Processing Assistant to support processing of Senator Carper’s collections within the Division of Special Collections and Museums. The role is eighteen months, grant-funded, and located in Newark, DE.

Under supervision, you will appraise, arrange, describe, and preserve analog, digital, and audiovisual records, contributing to metadata work and finding aids while maintaining a careful, confidential approach.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 3–5 years of related library/museum experience, or a Bachelor's degree with 1–3 years in similar settings.
• Familiarity with archival standards for appraisal, arrangement, description, and preservation.
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based applications.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality in archival work.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with audiovisual formats (e.g., VHS, cassette) preferred; electronic records familiarity preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment with shifting responsibilities.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and workplace.

Responsibilities

• Complete select processing activities of archival collections.
• Perform audiovisual appraisal and reformatting.
• Perform electronic record survey, ingest, file comparison, and data clean-up.
• Perform file reproduction and review for access, including redaction.
• Rehousing of archival collections.
• Contribute to finding aids and other metadata work.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Archival standards

Discretion/confidentiality

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Audiovisual formats

Electronic records

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Database applications

Web-based applications

Job description

Job no: 503934
College / VP Area: Vice Provost for Libraries
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark, DE
Categories: Libraries & Museums, Full Time

Pay Grade: 27N

Context of the Job:

The University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press inspires the intellectual, scholarly and creative achievement of our community. We are strongly committed to fostering safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces and opportunities where everyone has an equal opportunity to learn, create, and grow. We collaborate with strategic campus partners to achieve these priorities, as well as with a host of national professional organizations.

The Division of Special Collections and Museums holds a broadly based collection and works in response to the growing interest in collaborative interdisciplinary research, and also supports research of primary sources, rare books and other publications, minerals and artwork. As a department in the Division of Special Collections and Museums, its holdings include manuscripts, rare books, maps, prints, photographs, broadsides, periodicals, pamphlets, and ephemera from the fifteenth century to the present. Manuscript collections span more than 10,000 linear feet and printed collections number more than 200,000 titles. The collections complement the University’s teaching programs and the Library’s general collections with particular strengths in the subject areas of the Arts; English, Irish, and American literature; African American history and Delawareana; politics; and print history. Special Collections actively engages with the University’s faculty and students, and communities more broadly to make use of its collections through its instruction, exhibition, and research services programs. Additional information about the Special Collections is available online at: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/.

Under the general supervision of the Political and Public Policy Papers archivist, the Archival Processing Assistant will participate in archival processing activities for the analog and born digital records of Senator Thomas R. Carper (2001-2025). The incumbent will assist the members of the Senate Preservation Partnership Grant team to appraise, arrange, describe, and perform preservation activities on analog, digital, and audiovisual records found in the Carper collection. The Archival Processing Assistant position is an eighteen-month grant-funded appointment.

Major Responsibilities:

• Complete select processing activities of archival collections
• Perform audiovisual appraisal and reformatting
• Perform electronic record survey, ingest, file comparison, and data clean-up
• Perform file reproduction and review for access, including redactionPerform rehousing of archival collections
• Contribute to finding aid and other metadata work
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED and three to five years of related experience, or Bachelor’s degree and one to three years relevant experience in research libraries, museums or cultural/historical institutions handling special materials and related records.
• Familiarity with archival standards and best practices for appraisal, arrangement, description, and preservation of archival records in multiple formats.
• Ability to use technologies to perform daily work including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheet, database and Web-based applications.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality in carrying out archival responsibilities.
• Strong organizational skills and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in work performed.
• Experience working or familiarity with various audiovisual formats (e.g., VHS tapes, cassette tapes), preferred.
• Experience working or familiarity with electronic records, preferred.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment where responsibilities may shift based on organizational needs.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population.

Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close: Nov 01 2026 Eastern Standard Time