College Archivist

SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE; Village of Bronxville (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sarah Lawrence College Library seeks a College Archivist to manage the College’s historical records, both physical and digital. The role emphasizes public service, research support, and duties in instruction, outreach, and exhibits for students and external researchers.

The archivist will curate collections, apply metadata standards, and oversee archival platforms while collaborating with faculty, IT, and departments. This full-time position supports scholarly access to the college’s history.

Qualifications

• MLS or LIS with archival concentration.
• 3–5 years in archives or special collections.
• Experience with physical and digital records management.
• Strong research, metadata creation, and organization skills.
• Experience with exhibits and outreach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Collect, preserve, and manage College records and collections.
• Provide research assistance to students and external researchers.
• Lead outreach, class instruction, and exhibits.
• Oversee Archives budget, facilities, and staff.
• Collaborate with faculty and IT for digitization projects.
• Supervise student Archives Assistants.

Skills

Archives experience

Digital preservation

Research & reference

Metadata creation

Instruction & outreach

Collaboration

Strong communication

Education

Master's degree in Library Science or Information Science

Tools

ArchivesSpace

DSpace

JSTOR Forum

Job description

Position Overview

The Sarah Lawrence College Library invites applications for College Archivist. Reporting to the Library Director, the candidate must have a strong commitment to public service and act as a highly motivated research support and education professional with an expert understanding of current digital preservation technologies and practices. The ideal candidate will enjoy providing both personalized and group instruction to internal and external clients, undergraduate and graduate students in a small academic library.

The College Archivist collects, preserves, and provides access to materials documenting the Sarah Lawrence’s history from its founding in 1924 to the present. This role involves curating collections, managing physical and digital records, and conducting outreach through instructional activities and exhibits. Serving as the official repository for records of permanent historical or administrative value, College Archives also collects faculty papers and other related collections. Open to the College community and external researchers, the archives support scholarship, teaching, and administrative needs. The position is a full-time, staff role.

Essential Functions

• Collect, appraise, accession, and preserve records from across the College, including from faculty, students, alumni, and external donors.
• Manage both physical and born-digital collections, ensuring proper arrangement, description, and metadata creation for access and accessibility. Assess and implement current platforms (ArchivesSpace, DSpace, JSTOR Forum) and emerging technologies to existing improve archival workflows and management.
• Provide research assistance and reference services to the College community and external researchers.
• Oversee the Art Properties Collection, ensuring appropriate care and accessibility.
• Lead outreach activities, including class instruction, exhibits, and presentations to promote awareness of archival resources.
• Supervise and train student Archives Assistants to support the Archives’ goals.
• Collaborate with faculty, alumni, IT, and other departments to expand archival collections and manage digitization projects.
• Monitor and manage the archives budget, supplies, and facilities.

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide staffing at the library’s information desk during the academic year.
• Participate in campus events such as Commencement, Reunion and new student orientations.
• Collaborate with the library team on cross-departmental initiatives and special projects.
• Engage in non-archival research consultation with undergraduate and graduate students as needed.
• Participate in college committees and working groups to support institutional priorities.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library Science or Information Science, preferably with a concentration in Archival Studies, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3 – 5 years of experience in archives or special collections management.
• Expertise in archival theory, standards, and processes, including both physical and digital records management.
• Strong research and organizational skills, with the ability to synthesize information and create descriptive metadata.
• Experience managing or curating exhibits, both physical and digital.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders

Physical and Cognitive Requirements

• Moderately sedentary, involving periods of sitting and computer use.
• Frequent verbal and written communication required.
• Capacity to organize and synthesize detailed information.
• Occasional walking/standing/lifting/handling of library materials required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of records management practices.
• Experience with archival management software and digital repositories.
• Engagement in professional archival organizations such as SAA (Society of American Archivists).

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).