Archives Librarian II

The Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center has begun its Black Press Archives Digitization Project. The Center’s newspaper collection, the Black Press Archives, represents more than 2,000 newspaper titles from the United States, Africa, and the African Diaspora, including the legendary Chicago Defender, New York Amsterdam News, Los Angeles Sentinel, Washington Afro-American, Nigeria’s Anglo African, The Bomb from Trinidad and Tobago, and Le Soir from Haiti. The Black Press Archives team is focused on producing and publishing digital materials from physical archives. These newly digitized materials will be made available on a new online catalog website and will be supplemented by story-based content for the public to enjoy and learn from. 

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: 

The Librarian will co-manage and train the Archives team alongside the Archives Technician. This includes supervising and mentoring student interns. The Librarian will also work closely with the Communications team and Technical Advisor and will report to the Project Manager. 

NATURE AND SCOPE: 

Internal contacts include administrators, staff, faculty and student workers. External contacts include vendors, other catalogers, and collaborating with technical service professionals across the world. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• Handle archival materials 

• Pull and re-shelve requested archival materials, on microfilm and physical papers 

• Record the size and quality of the microfilm and physical paper archives 

• Catalog and organize archival materials in all number/shelf list order, or serials by volume/issue/date 

• Ensure that library procedures are followed, specifically to ensure the security and preservation of archival materials 

• Prepare archival materials for digitization 

• Collaborate with the Technical Advisor and Technician to develop metadata application guidelines to optimize resource discovery and online access 

• Conduct copyright permission/licensing research pertaining to archival materials 

• Collaborate with leadership on the functions of the online digital catalog 

• Collaborate with the Communications team on the development of public content based on digitized materials 

• Supervise and train student employees on office protocols and archival practices of the division  

• Develop and implement policies and procedures within the archive to improve processing functions  

CORE COMPETENCIES:  

• Knowledge of archives preservation requirements, storage needs, and registration procedures for archives. 

• Up-to-date knowledge of professional standards and trends. 

• Familiar with governmental regulations and legal requirements related to archives and experience in compliance with same. 

• Familiarity with records produced by natural science, cultural and fine arts sources. 

• Awareness of tribal cultural sensitivity issues. Ability to maintain confidentiality in all professional matters. 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate, orally and in writing, with staff, trustees, vendors and others. 

• Good organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite or other similar products. 

•  Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team. 

• Must be able to sit, stoop, stand for extended periods of time, lift heavy containers (50 lbs.) and handle fragile items 

• Visual acuity and ability to work at computer for extended period 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: 

• Current graduate student or graduate degree in Library Science or related field 

• A minimum of two years of hands-on experience with archival or library collections 

• Demonstrated initiative to work self-directed yet with a collaborative style 

• Demonstrated ability to train and supervise part-time staff and students 

• Strong verbal and written communications skills 

• Ability to climb ladders, bend and stoop to access and move archival enclosures and lift archival boxes weighing up to 40 lbs.