Job Details  

Library Assistant D
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Job ID 72199
Job Funding Source Work-Study, Non-Work-Study
Employer Library--Graduate
Category Office
Job Description

Archives Assistant

The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is looking for an incoming or current UMSI graduate student to join our team as an Archives Assistant. Located in the Hatcher Graduate Library, the SCRC is home to the University Library’s rare books and archival collections. Notable collections and subject strengths include modern and contemporary authors and poets; film, theater, and television; the early history of astronomy and mathematics; children’s literature; anarchism, radicalism, and social protest; Philippine history; and transportation history.

Please note that this position involves working with physical collections at the Hatcher Graduate Library. The work will take place in the library and the successful applicant(s) will be expected to comply with all physical safety and hygiene measures.

Working under general supervision by the Processing Archivist, the Archives Assistant will be responsible for performing a variety of tasks associated with the accessioning and processing of archival collections, including:

- Creating accession records
- Appraising collection material
- Proposing arrangement schemes and processing plans
- Arranging and housing collection material
- Recording descriptive and other information
- Assisting with the conversion of legacy finding aids

Additional responsibilities may include:

- Retrieving and shelving collection material
- Scanning and photoduplication of collection material
- Reference, project, and other support

Please upload a cover letter detailing your interest in the position as well as a current resume.
Educational Value

Students will gain experience in a professional academic archive setting, where they will learn and perform archival arrangement and description on a variety of collection materials. Students will be expected to produce description which will be hosted on U-M websites, and which can be used as future writing and/or work samples.
Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

- Current or incoming UMSI student
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and with sustained attention to detail
- Sensitivity to and aptitude for handling rare and fragile materials

Desired Qualifications

- Successful completion of UM SI 580 or equivalent coursework
- Experience processing archival or manuscript collections
- Good computer skills, including familiarity with database software and online information resources, including ArchivesSpace
- Experience working in a library or similar setting
- Familiarity with special collections material (archives, manuscripts, rare books, etc.)
- Subject knowledge/interest in any of the Special Collections Research Center’s collecting areas
Hourly Rate $15.00/hour
Hours 8.0 to 20.0 hours per week
Time Frame Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer
Start Date ASAP
End Date To be determined
Primary Contact Hilary Severyn
Primary Contact's Email hseveryn@umich.edu
Supervisor N/A
Work Location 711 Hatcher Graduate Library
Phone N/A
Fax N/A