Avery Research Center Reference and Exhibition Coordinator
COLLEGE CORNER
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Job summary
The Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston seeks a Reference and Exhibition Coordinator to provide reference services to students, faculty, and the public, using archival collections, rare books, and related materials. The coordinator also assists with exhibition planning and content creation for the Center’s website and campus publications.
Reporting to the Manager of Archival Services, this role involves digitizing materials, writing for LCDL-supported platforms, collaborating with
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 1–3 years in a library/archives.
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.
- Ability to analyze patron requests and select reference sources.
- Ability to work with diverse audiences and collaborate with teams.
- Ability to stand/sit for extended periods and lift up to 20 pounds.
Responsibilities
- Provide reference services to students, faculty, and the public at the reference desk and remotely.
- Assist with Avery Research Center exhibitions and engagement efforts and content creation.
- Write content for the Center’s website and campus publications.
- Digitize and describe materials to increase visibility and access.
- Collaborate with the Archival and Interpretation Team and Outreach Coordinator.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Position Type
Position Type Classified
Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration
Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration Non-Faculty
Pay Band
Pay Band GEN09
Level
Department
Department Avery Research Center
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Manager of Archival Services, the Reference and Exhibition Coordinator serves as a forward-facing team member in the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture within the College Libraries. This position is responsible for providing reference services to students, faculty, and the public using archival collections, rare books, and other related materials. They will assist with patron requests at the reference desk as well as remote reference queries. The Reference and Exhibition Coordinator will assist with Avery Research Center exhibition and engagement efforts and is responsible for writing content for the Avery Research Center’s website, communication platforms, and broader College publications in support of the Libraries’ mission and vision. The Coordinator will work closely with the Archival and Interpretation Team, as well as the Outreach and Public Programming Coordinator to select and interpret materials for Avery Research Center exhibits. This position also digitizes and describes Avery Research Center’s materials to increase visibility and accessibility.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 1-3 years of experience in a library, archives, historical society, or museum. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, relevant content management systems, and communication platforms.
- Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and customer service skills.
- Ability to analyze patron requests and select best reference sources.
- Ability to work with a diverse audience including students, scholars, and other community members.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively and demonstrate initiative and accuracy.
- Must be able to stand and sit for extended periods and lift (up to 20 pounds).
- Master’s degree in library and information science, public history, or related field.
- Familiarity with local and regional African American history and culture, as well South Carolina state history.
- Experience curating and interpreting cultural, historical, and/or artistic objects.
- Experience providing reference services in a library or archives.
- Experience digitizing and/or creating metadata for archival materials.
- Familiarity with archival collection management systems (e.g. ArchivesSpace).
- Familiarity with the Springshare platform.
*Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements.
Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.
- Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP)
The College of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of sex, gender (including gender identity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, and other classifications protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information, please visit eop.cofc.edu .
- Responsible for working regular Avery Research Center’s Reference Desk shifts. Provide access to collection materials while also maintaining their security and preservation.
- Conducts reference interviews to navigate and direct patron research needs.
- Advises students, faculty, and other researchers, both in-person and virtually, and provides direction and support in the use of Avery Research Center’s resources and services.
- Provides access to materials by fulfilling reproduction requests.
Percent of Time
Percent of Time 50
- Develops, designs, and publishes content spotlighting the materials, exhibits, and activities of Avery Research Center for internal and external audiences, including writing pieces for national publications, as well as campus publications (The College Today and the Libraries’ Discovery Magazine).
- Administers collections loan program for incoming and outgoing loans in consultation with the Manager of Archival Services.
- Designs, curates, interprets, installs, and promotes Avery Research Center’s physical and digital exhibits.
- Supports communication efforts via Avery Research Center’s website and other platforms.
- Supports Avery Research Center’s public programming efforts.
- Prepares, handles, and digitizes fragile and rare archival materials from Avery Research Center’s holdings.
- Creates metadata to describe digitized materials following standards and best practices established by Avery Research Centers’ digital access partner, the Lowcountry Digital Library (LCDL).
- Submits digitized and described materials to Lowcountry Digital Library for review and publication.
Percent of Time
Percent of Time 30
- Develops, designs, and publishes content spotlighting the materials, exhibits, and activities of Avery Research Center for internal and external audiences, including writing pieces for national publications, as well as campus publications (The College Today and the Libraries’ Discovery Magazine).
- Administers collections loan program for incoming and outgoing loans in consultation with the Manager of Archival Services.
- Designs, curates, interprets, installs, and promotes Avery Research Center’s physical and digital exhibits.
- Supports communication efforts via Avery Research Center’s website and other platforms.
- Supports Avery Research Center’s public programming efforts.
Percent of Time
Percent of Time 20
- Develops, designs, and publishes content spotlighting the materials, exhibits, and activities of Avery Research Center for internal and external audiences, including writing pieces for national publications, as well as campus publications (The College Today and the Libraries’ Discovery Magazine).
- Administers collections loan program for incoming and outgoing loans in consultation with the Manager of Archival Services.
- Designs, curates, interprets, installs, and promotes Avery Research Center’s physical and digital exhibits.
- Supports communication efforts via Avery Research Center’s website and other platforms.
- Supports Avery Research Center’s public programming efforts.
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- CofC - Alumni Career Services
- College of Charleston Website
- Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
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- HigherEdJobs
- Indeed.com
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- National Labor Exchange
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- Resume
- Cover Letter / Letter of Application
- Reference List
- Other Document
- Other Document 2
- Other Document 3
- Form DD 214
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