PT Archives Processing Assistant

Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

The Archives Processing Assistant at DePaul University in Chicago applies standard archival principles to arrange, describe, and provide access to archival collections. The role supports remote and on-site researchers, including paging and reshelving, and registers researchers in the Reading Room.

The position involves accessioning, processing, and collections management, as well as supervising reading room desk shifts and training student workers.

Qualifications

• Experience with processing archival collections preferred.
• Familiarity with DACS, EAD, and collection management software preferred.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to read and comprehend handwritten and printed text and create accurate descriptions.
• Ability to think critically and adapt descriptions to archival standards.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Accessioning: create accurate archival accession records.
• Processing: evaluate, sort, arrange, and describe materials per archival principles.
• Collections management: manage physical collections and update records.
• Researcher assistance: support in-person and remote researchers and supervise reading room shifts.
• Train student employees to perform processing tasks.

Skills

Archival processing

DACS knowledge

Finding aids

Communication skills

Research assistance

Project management

Teamwork

Job description

The Archives Processing Assistant is primarily responsible for applying standard archival principles and practices to arrange, describe and provide access to archival collections. The Archives Processing Assistant provides reference support to remote and on-site researchers, including paging and reshelving books and archival collections, as well as registering researchers and monitoring the Reading Room. The Archives Processing Assistant will work in a highly supportive, collegial culture that encourages active participation in meaningful and valuable skills training and professional development. This includes training workshops, committee memberships, and engagement in programs that support the Library’s mission and its Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access goals, while building connections and partnerships across DePaul’s wider academic and user community.

What You’ll Do:

• Archives Accessioning
  - Creates accurate archival accession records.
  - Conducts preliminary surveys and preservation assessments.
  - Rehouses incoming collections.
• Archives Processing
  - Evaluates, sorts, arranges, and describes materials according to archival principles.
  - Maintains a record describing the collection and the activities performed upon it.
  - Performs rehousing, reformatting, and other preservation measures as needed.
  - Creates structured, detailed descriptions for narrative finding aids and database entries.
• Collections Management
  - Manages the physical collections as needed, including shelving, shifting, and moving as required.
  - Updates department records for the intellectual control and description of archival materials.
• Researcher Assistance
  - Assists in-person and remote researchers by identifying materials of interest and supplying requested information.
  - Supervises the reading room during scheduled desk shifts and as-needed substitute coverage.
• Assists in training student employees to perform basic processing projects; may proof, edit, and correct archival descriptions created by others.
  

What You’ll Need:

• Preferred: Experience with processing archival collections
• Preferred: Familiarity with DACS, EAD, and collection management software
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to read and comprehend handwritten and printed text, and to create accurate structured and narrative descriptions with minimal oversight or intervention
• Ability to think critically and shift perspective in order to create effective arrangements and descriptions of archival collections
• Ability to adapt to change with flexibility, creativity, and sound judgment
• Ability to learn new skills through research and self-study
• Experience working both independently and collaboratively in a collegial, team-based environment and maintaining positive working relationships
• Excellent planning, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies
• Knowledge of information technology resources, print information resources, and web-based information resources required

The anticipated hiring range for this position is: $23.45 to $23.68/hr.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

DePaul University
2350 North Kenmore Ave
Chicago , IL 60613