Hybrid Archivist - Special Collections & Research

The First Church of Christ, Scientist; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mary Baker Eddy Library (MBEL) seeks an Assistant Archivist to support preservation, cataloging, registration, and research within its special collections. The role involves handling archival materials, creating and editing records, and assisting researchers while contributing to MBEL-wide projects and exhibits.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s in Library Science or have 2–3 years of archival processing experience, with strong knowledge of archival practices and metadata standards.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science or two to three years direct experience in archival processing required.
• One to two years experience in general archival work preferred.
• Knowledge of archival practices of appraisal, arranging, and description required; clear written and oral communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Preserves and catalogs archival materials following standards and department policies.
• Creates records in collection management systems and edits existing records.
• Assists researchers with inquiries about materials in the special collections.
• Develops and implements processing plans independently; arranges and describes archival collections.
• Digitizes documents using archival standards and advanced scanning tech for internal and external requests.
• Supports MBEL-wide projects such as exhibit development and publishing projects.

Skills

Archival knowledge

Communication skills

Research skills

Education

MLS or 2–3 yrs archival processing

Tools

Digital asset management systems

Collection management systems

Metadata standards & archives tools

Job description

The Mary Baker Eddy Library (MBEL) seeks an Assistant Archivist to support preservation, cataloging, registration, and research within its special collections. The role involves handling archival materials, creating and editing records, and assisting researchers while contributing to MBEL-wide projects and exhibits.

Ideal candidates hold a Master’s in Library Science or have 2–3 years of archival processing experience, with strong knowledge of archival practices and metadata standards.