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ABOUT PITTS THEOLOGY LIBRARY

Pitts Theology Library, the premier theological library in North America, is one of Emory University’s six instructional libraries. It holds a distinguished collection of theological materials in a beautiful 60,000 square-foot facility. With active instructional and outreach programs and over 650,000 volumes, including over 155,000 volumes in its Special Collections, the library provides rich resources and services for the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and the broader community.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, the Reference Archivist (RA) works with Pitts Theology Library Special Collections materials and provides reference and research services to Emory students and faculty, visiting scholars, and members of the public. The RA also processes archival materials and creates descriptive metadata including catalog records and finding aids for analog and born-digital materials. The RA is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising 2-3 graduate and/or undergraduate student workers to assist with reading room duties and stacks maintenance. Administrative responsibilities include contributing to unit and division annual planning and reports. Finally, the RA contributes to the library and professional community through committee service, conference presentations, and/or scholarship. Archival materials in Pitts Theology Library’s Special Collections are primarily religious or theological in nature, and include personal papers, collections, and organizational records.

Key Responsibilities & Duties

REFERENCE – 40%

• Serves as primary source of reference and research consultation services for Pitts Theology Library Special Collections, in-person and virtually, for primary source research. Works with Emory students and faculty, visiting scholars, and the public.

• Provides primary oversight at Pitts Theology Library of the Special Collections Request System (Aeon). Guides researchers through the completion of online registration for Aeon and requesting Special Collections materials.

• Oversees reading room security by monitoring use of materials in the reading room as well as working with researchers to explain the rules of care and handling for special collections material.

• Coordinates with the Digital Asset Librarian regarding the digitization of Special Collections materials.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES – 30%

• Administrative responsibilities include contributing to unit and division annual planning and reports.

• Maintains physical order of Special Collections stacks and assists with retrieval and reshelving of materials.

• Hires, trains, and supervises student workers to arrange and describe archival materials and assist in stacks maintenance in accordance with current library and archival standards.

• Participates in library and campus committees.

• Performs other duties as needed to accomplish the goals of the unit and library.

ARCHIVAL PROCESSING – 25%

• Processes archival collections, performing high-level collection analysis and work plans outlining documentation, arrangement, timelines, and project decisions.

• Conducts appraisal of material within collections as well as new acquisitions.

• Determines appropriate levels of arrangement and description based on collection condition, local policy and practice, and professional judgment.

• Determines and performs basic preservation work such as removing rusty metal hardware, unfolding, and flattening documents, and transferring material to new, acid-free folders and boxes.

• Coordinates with Emory’s Preservation Department regarding preservation issues with rare books, manuscripts, archives, and audiovisual media.

• Creates finding aids for collections within ArchivesSpace, including biographical notes, scope and content notes, and detailed container inventories.

• Creates MARC format bibliographic records for collections in both WorldCat and the library's local catalog.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES – 5%

• Participates in appropriate professional and scholarly associations and organizations including maintaining membership and/or accreditation; attending meetings, conferences, workshops; and serving in appointed or elected positions.

• Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to primary job assignments as well as maintains general knowledge of current trends in higher education, academic libraries, and information and educational technology.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ALA-accredited masters degree in Library and Information Science or Archival Studies OR equivalent education and experience (relevant subject expertise combined with professional library education and/or experience).
• One to two years demonstrated experience in appraising, accessioning, arranging, and describing manuscript collections, preferably in a special collections library in an academic environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues relating to rare books, archives, and manuscripts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current national archival and descriptive standards and best practices, including working knowledge of MARC format, EAD, DACS, and other archival descriptive standards.
• Ability to lift 40-pound boxes and to work in a dusty environment.
• Evidence of analytical, organizational, communication, project, and time management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and complete tasks and projects on time and within budget and in accordance with task/project parameters.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty and student population.
• Capacity to thrive in an ambiguous, future-oriented environment of a major research institution and to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and issues in academic libraries and higher education.
• Ability to build and sustain effective interpersonal relationships with library staff, faculty, and students, off campus faculty and administrators, campus administrators, etc.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated knowledge of born-digital media.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location.  Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at accessibility@emory.edu or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.