University Archivist

Indiana University; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana University seeks a University Archivist for the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives to join the Distinctive Collections. The role focuses on collecting and providing access to university records, including born-digital material and websites.

Collaborating with library colleagues, faculty, and IU partners, the archivist will develop finding aids, provide education and reference, and support the full lifecycle of university records.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Library/Info Science required.
• 2+ years of professional archives experience.
• Experience with archives best practices and born-digital records.

Responsibilities

• Actively collect university records of permanent value, including born-digital materials and websites.
• Supervise collection management activities: accessioning, processing, preservation, and finding aids creation.
• Provide reference services for University Archives to researchers.
• Liaise with campus offices on records retention schedules.
• Manage web archiving of university websites and capture schedules.
• Promote interest in the history of IU and local neighborhoods.
• Collaborate with Ruth Lilly Special Collections & Archives to improve access and policies.

Skills

Master's in Library/Info Science

Archives experience

Born-digital records

Finding aids

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Independent work

Education

Master’s degree in Library/Info Science (ALA-accredited)

Job description

Posting Details

Title: University Archivist

Appointment Status: Tenure Track

Department: IU Indianapolis University Library

Location: Indianapolis

Position Summary: IU Indianapolis University Library seeks a University Archivist to join the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, part of Distinctive Collections.
The University Archivist reports to the Director of Distinctive Collections and works collaboratively with library colleagues, faculty, and Indiana University partners to collect and provide access to university records. The position advances institutional priorities related to student and faculty research as well as community engagement and collaboration. This position will work with records of all types, including born-digital records such as websites, emails, and digital files, as well as audio-visual material. The University Archivist will support the full lifecycle of university records, which includes liaising with staff and faculty units about records management policies and the value of institutional records before transfer to the archives, as well as providing education and reference to researchers using these records of permanent value.

Responsibilities

• Actively collect university records deemed of permanent value, including born digital materials and university websites
• Supervise and perform University Archives collection management activities: accessioning, processing, preservation, and creation of finding aids, including training and supervising student workers to assist in this work
• Provide reference services for University Archives, assisting virtual and in-person researchers (faculty, students, staff, and other researchers) in using university records
• Liaise with campus offices on the interpretation and implementation of records retention schedules
• Manage web archiving of university websites, including appraising URLs and setting appropriate capture schedules
• Promote interest in the history of IUI/IUPUI and the historic neighborhoods predating the campus, through reference, instruction, and outreach efforts
• Collaborate with Ruth Lilly Special Collections & Archives department members to improve service, provide access to collections, develop policies and procedures, and move department initiatives forward

Secondary responsibilities

• Participate in development of records management policies in partnership with other campus archivists and the University Records Manager
• Serve as a member of the Digital Collections Advisory Group, which is charged with setting priorities, establishing best practices for digital collections creation, and evaluating potential digital collections projects
• Participate in University Library planning and decision-making activities
• Participate in University Library and campus faculty organizations
• Represent the library in local, state, and national library venues as appropriate.
• Participate in library and university initiatives that advance campus and community engagement with distinctive collections
• Support the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of University Library.

Basic Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited Library/Information Science program or an equivalent degree
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in archives, including internships and part-time employment
• Proven success in archives, including knowledge and experience in archival best practices, principles, and current trends, including born digital records
• Experience processing large or complex archival collections and creating access tools (finding aids) for these collections
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of records management
• Knowledge of web archiving
• Experience with digital collections, including digital formats and digitization procedures
• Knowledge of EAD (Encoded Archival Description)

Department Contact for Questions

Shauna Winter, HR Business Partner, [e-mail]

Expected Start Date

01/01/2027

Posting Number

IU-101641-2026

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Letter of Application

Optional Documents