Alphawood Project Archivist

Chicago History; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

Alphawood Project Archivist at the Chicago History Museum will rehouse and enhance the GAPW architecture drawings, inventorying and editing bibliographic data to MARC for the Alma system, and exporting records to WorldCat and Explore Chicago Collections.

The role involves processing, cataloging, and documentation duties to improve discoverability and long-term preservation, in a part-time, grant-funded capacity.

Qualifications

• MLIS from an ALA-accredited program.
• Two to three years’ experience in a research library, archives, or museum setting processing or cataloging special collections material such as architectural drawings, manuscripts, prints, photos, books, and periodicals.
• Experience working in teams and collaborative environments.
• Ability to apply More Product, Less Process in processing and descriptive activities.
• General knowledge of American and Chicago History; architecture knowledge preferred.
• Strong problem-solving abilities.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills and the ability to deal diplomatically with the public.
• Commitment to the Chicago History Museum's mission, values, and programs.
• Preferred knowledge of data content and structure standards including DACS and EAD (or other XML-based standard).

Responsibilities

• Assess and execute rehousing needs for approximately 525 rolls of architectural drawings in the GAPW collection.
• Perform basic preservation tasks, such as interleaving and providing appropriate support for drawings.
• Document future conservation needs for the collection.
• Update internal architecture inventories with essential metadata.
• Create a collection-level record with an enhanced inventory to improve discoverability.
• Create and update electronic inventories to track processing statuses and prepare progress reports.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

MLIS degree

Tools

DACS

EAD

Job description

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Alphawood Project Archivist

Collections Operating Chicago, IL, US 1 Attachments

CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE : Alphawood Project Archivist

DEPARTMENT : Collections

FLSA STATUS : Non-exempt – Professional (Part-time Temporary)

HOURLY WAGE: $25/hr.

JOB SUMMARY :

Funded by a grant from the Alphawood Foundation , the Project Archivist will rehouse and enhance t he internal inventory for the unprocessed portion of the Graham, Anderson, Probst and White (GAPW) architecture drawings. This will include inventorying , processing, and rehousing the collection of technical drawings, review ing and edit ing bibliographic data from legacy paper finding aids to add to the architecture inventory ; prep aring the inventory to map the metadata to MARC in order to create a bibliographic record in the Museum's ILS, Alma , following national and local bibliographic standards ; and export ing th e record into OCLC ’s WorldCat and the EXPLORE Chicago Collections portal. The Alphawood Project Archivist enhanc es and promotes the discoverability and long-term preservation of the GAPW collection by perform ing processing, cataloging , and collection documentation duties .

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Assess and execute rehousing needs for approximately 525 rolls of architectural and other technical drawings part of the GAPW collection
• Perform basic preservation tasks, such as interleaving and providing appropriate support for the architectural drawings
• Document future conservation needs for the collection
• Update internal architecture inventories with essential metadata
• Create a collection-level record with an enhanced inventory of the collection to enhance discoverability of materials
• Create and update electronic inventories for tracking processing statuses and prepare progress reports

General Departmental Duties

• Work 19 hours a week during business hours Monday - Friday 7:30am – 5pm, for a period of 42 weeks
• Lift, carry, or otherwise move cumbersome and sometimes heavy tubes of architectural drawings, handling them with care.
• Contribute to and promote a positive culture at CHM by demonstrating the following values in their interactions with colleagues, external partners, and all audiences and through the products developed and services delivered:
• Collaboration: We honor all lived experiences, skills, and goals, weaving them into our work to collectively share stories of history and culture.
• Integrity: We conduct all business and build internal and external relationships on the foundation of honesty, camaraderie, and professional fellowship.
• Respect: We listen to understand, and we affirm other people’s perspectives and contributions. We show up for others and treat them as they want to be treated.
• Curiosity: We invite questions and celebrate investigation, encouraging meaningful connections with history and a sense of wonder about our complex city.
• Innovation: We anticipate the need to adapt and evolve, embracing new ideas that will propel the Museum to increased success.
• Service: We actively cultivate a responsive and supportive culture where all people are valued and respected.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Alert Collections Department staff to architectural drawings in need of conservation treatment as they are discovered during regular cataloging activities.
• Create an end of project report to submit to grant funders and the museum’s development department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REPORTS TO : The position reports to the Senior Archivist.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS :

The Project Archivist works with staff across the Research Collections Department to p reserve collection materials , create and enhance descriptive records, and increase physical and digital access to the collection. They will also work with staff in the Research Services department to enhance research guides and increase awareness of the collection.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• MLIS degree from ALA accredited program
• Coursework and/or two to three years’ experience in a research library, archives, or museum setting processing or cataloging special collections material such as architectural drawings (preferred), manuscripts, prints, and/or photographs , books, and periodicals
• Experience working in teams and collaborative environments
• Ability to apply “More Product, Less Process” concept to processing and descriptive activit ies
• General knowledge of American and Chicago History, knowledge of architecture preferred
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to deal diplomatically and effectively with members of the public
• Commitment to the mission, values, and programs of the Chicago History Museum
• Preferred: knowledge of data content and structure standards including DACS, and EAD (or other XML-based standard)

This job description is not intended to be an express or implied contract between CHM and any employee. CHM employees are employees at will. CHM reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position as necessary to meet changing business needs. CHM is an equal opportunity employer.

Attachments (1)

Alphawood Project Archivist JD DRAFT - 2.0 January 2027 Reviewed.docx