Project Lead/Librarian, California Historical Society Collections

Company: Stanford University
Location: Palo Alto
Posted on: October 23, 2024

Job Description:

Archivist/Librarian, California Historical Society CollectionsStanford Libraries is seeking a full-time, non-career track fixed term position for 6 months with the possibility of renewal for an additional term to join the Department of Special Collections and serve as Project Lead/Librarian. This will be one of three positions that will form a team working on these collections. They will lead the supervision and overall completion of processing over 8,000 feet of papers and 5 terabytes of digital files for the California Historical Society collections and make them discoverable and accessible to researchers and will assist in directing the accessioning of both the CHS book collections and photography collections.About the Position:The CHS project is under the direction of the Associate University Librarian for Special Collections. The project team will be jointly overseen by the Associate Director for Special Collections & the Assistant Director for Collections Services. The Lead Librarian/Archivist is responsible for leading a team of 2 librarians/archivists that will work on the collections from CHS. The person in this position will be responsible for assessing all files for content, research interest, and restrictions and determining levels of processing and descriptive metadata and preparing them for researcher access and delivery. This will entail reviewing and end-processing for collections already processed including creating and updating catalog and accession records as well as remediation of any existing finding aids. For unprocessed collections, the person in this position will also prioritize and oversee the arrangement, description, and preservation of the materials as well as the publication of finding aids. Materials will cover multiple formats including a substantial photography collection. The Project Lead/Librarian will also collaborate with the staff in Special Collections and other departments across the library to create preservation and access plans for these materials.Core Duties*:

• Execute the assessment, arrangement, and description of all materials in the CHS collections, including physical materials, artifacts, and memorabilia, audiovisual, and images according to standards such as DACS or ISAD(G).
• The Lead Librarian/Archivist and the other two members of this team will provide reference and other services to users and prospective users of the CHS collections.
• The Lead Librarian/Archivist and the other two members of this team will recommend acquisition of information resources, including ones created in the distant past relevant to the history of California and the opening of the American West.
• Assist with the management and supervision, and direction for the project team including a photography librarian/archivist and a processing librarian/archivist.
• Oversee processing of digital files for any digitized materials and their eventual ingestion into the Stanford Digital Repository including the creation of descriptive and technical metadata for these files.
• Work with some independence and make judgments and recommendations about content appraisal and access and report to the immediate supervisor on critical decisions.
• Responsible for the creation and publication of descriptions including the finding aid, accession and catalog records.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the department and libraries as needed and essential.
• Manage time to complete and oversee the organization and description of assigned collections.
• Publish articles on project discoveries and updates on SUL blogs or Instagram feed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.* - Other duties may also be assigned.Education and Experience:Advanced Degree in Library Science or a relevant academic discipline with demonstrated experience working with increasing levels of responsibilities, preferably in an academic library for 2 years.Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Experience with relevant aspects of library operations including understanding of contemporary library practices, trends and emerging technologies for managing, processing, and providing access to archival collections in analog and digital formats.
• Consistent display of excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to collaborate and negotiate issues with people from different parts of the library and outside the library, including collection curators and creators.
• Ability to manage projects, develop access & use policies or contribute to library initiatives across functional lines.
• Ability to identify challenges and opportunities, engage others in their resolution, and recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and improve online resources in terms of content quality, functionality, and user interface issues.
• Demonstrated success in independently performing complex job functions such as collection management reviews, preparation of major exhibits, developing policies for business practices.
• Evidence of engagement in relevant professional or academic communities.Other Relevant Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities May Include:
• Demonstrated understanding of the broad scope of library operations with ability to understand how their role interacts with the rest of the organization.
• Experience applying library and archival descriptive and metadata standards (e.g. Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS); ability to rapidly learn and implement new descriptive practices adopted by the department and/or Stanford Libraries.
• Degree of familiarity with databases including analysis and extraction of data.
• High level of proficiency with computers and desktop applications, including e.g. Microsoft Office, Google Apps, and Trello.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality with sensitive or restricted information.
• Will assist in grant/gift reporting as necessary.Physical Requirements:
• Constantly sit, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Occasionally stand/walk, twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Rarely use a telephone, operate hand controls.* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.Working Conditions:May work in confined spaces and at heights 4-10 feet; be exposed to dust and mold; work extended hours, evenings, and weekends.Work Standards:
• Interpersonal skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote culture of safety: Demonstrates a commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/.Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University's research, teaching, and clinical missions. We believe Stanford's future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.
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Keywords: Stanford University, Palo Alto , Project Lead/Librarian, California Historical Society Collections, Accounting, Auditing , Palo Alto, California