Associate Curator of Archives and Manuscript Collections – The Watkinson Library of Trinity College

Department: Library

Type of Position: Full Time Regular

40 Hours per week/52 weeks per year

Position Posted until filled

The Watkinson Library of Trinity College (Hartford, CT) is seeking applicants for the position of Associate Curator of Archives & Manuscript Collections. Reporting to the Head Curator & Librarian of the Watkinson Library, this position manages, promotes, and assists in providing access to the Trinity College Archives and the historical manuscript collections of the Watkinson Library. With a staff of four FTE (including this position), the Watkinson serves as the rare book & special collections department of the Trinity College Library, the repository of the College Archives, and a public research library. The reading room is the portal through which readers have access to almost 200,000 printed volumes ranging in date from the 15th century to the present, 4,000 linear feet of manuscript and archival material, 25,000 pieces of sheet music (1720-1950), over 10,000 sound recordings, and thousands of separate maps, prints, broadsides, postcards, greeting cards, trade cards, ballad sheets, playbills, and posters.

Primary responsibilities include:

• provides access to archival and manuscript collections through finding aids, catalog records and other descriptive means

• provides reference, consultation and instruction services related to those collections, in conjunction with the other staff of the Watkinson Library

• actively engages in outreach to promote the use of the collections—particularly student use of primary source materials, including mounting exhibitions and facilitating public programs and publications that promote the College and its history

• pursues grant funding and development opportunities in consultation with the Head Curator

• serves as records manager for the Watkinson Library, and facilitates campus-wide records management activities and compliance.

The successful candidate will be an energetic, creative, and forward-thinking individual who will view the archives not just as the records of an organization, but as an invaluable historical resource indelibly linked to local, regional, and national history—from the early republic to the present—which can be utilized pedagogically in a wide variety of ways.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MLS from an ALA-accredited program; advanced degree in a liberal arts discipline desirable

• three (3) or more years of professional experience in an archives or manuscript repository.

• experience in the development and management of archival collections, including the identification, acquisition, storage, access, and preservation of college archives (or equivalent), utilizing “More Product Less Process” (MPLP)concepts

• demonstrated experience with and knowledge of best practices regarding records management protocols and retention schedules (for both paper and born-digital records)

• experience with archival database applications, web-based technologies, digitization technologies, and current data structure and content standards (e.g., MARC, EAD, DACS, Dublin Core, METS, and MODS)

• knowledge of and experience with current preservation and conservation standards for manuscript and archival material

• supervisory or project management experience

• demonstrated ability to work independently, collaboratively and effectively with diverse groups and stakeholders

• commitment to ongoing professional development; excellent oral and written communication skills

• experience with archival software, social media technologies, digital repository platforms, copyright issues in a digital environment, and the creation of in-house and online exhibitions is desirable.

Special Instructions to applicants:

Ability to lift cartons weighing up to 40 lbs, to move heavily-laden library carts.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Posting number S00272

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter