Emory University Libraries invites applications for a Manuscript Archivist to work with internationally prominent manuscript collections including those of Salman Rushdie, Ted Hughes, W.B. Yeats, Langston Hughes and many more. The archivist will serve as lead for designated collections, managing and working with a team of part time staff, to arrange and describe collections for research use. The manuscript archivist will make use of cutting edge tools to develop finding aids and promote access to the collections for students at Emory and scholars around the world. S/he will be involved in managing grant funded projects, creating exhibitions, and participating in the larger library and campus community at Emory.

MARBL, the Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, has special strengths in literary, southern historical and African American collections. MARBL also houses and serves as a service point for University Archives. A new strategic plan and comprehensive campaign is beginning which will expand Emory’s distinctive special collections and fund a signature state-of-the art center for the humanities at Emory. Currently, a staff of ten FTE provides cataloging, arrangement and description, research services, instruction and outreach, basic preservation services, and special projects and events. For more information about the division please visit http://marbl.library.emory.edu/ and for more information about the strategic plan please visit http://web.library.emory.edu/about/publications/Five_Year_Strategy_2007.html

Responsibilities include accessioning, arranging, describing, cataloging, and providing access to, manuscript collections. Specifically the Manuscript Archivist will be responsible for:

• Appraising and accessioning materials in multiple formats;
• Serving as lead for processing designated collections, managing and working with a team of part time staff to arrange and describe collections for research use;
• Preparing finding aids and other descriptive tools including EAD and MARC cataloging records;
• Working with conservation specialists to provide housing and preservation of materials;
• Participating in exhibition planning/preparation and special projects;
• Providing reference assistance, which includes a Saturday rotation; and
• Representing Emory Libraries in and contributing to professional associations.

The Manuscript Archivist reports to MARBL’s Coordinator of Arrangement and Description Services, an active instructor of SAA’s arrangement and description workshop.

Qualifications: Requires graduate archival education acquired either through an ALA-accredited MLS degree or other relevant graduate degree program; two to five years experience in appraisal, accessioning, arrangement and description of manuscript collections, preferably in a special collections library in an academic environment; working knowledge of MARC format, EAD and archival descriptive standards; knowledge of the conservation and preservation needs of archival collections; experience providing reference service and knowledge of issues related to archives and manuscript collections. The successful candidate will have strong organizational and communication skills; supervisory skills; and proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, manage multiple responsibilities, and respond effectively to changing needs and priorities. A record of active involvement in professional activities is important. Must be able to lift 40 pound boxes and work in a dusty environment.

Salary and Benefits: Salary and rank dependent upon qualifications and experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including tuition benefits.  Several retirement plan options, including TIAA/CREF. Generous support for moving expenses.

Application: Send letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to: Dianne M. Smith, Library Human Resources Officer, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322-2870 or at e-mail address libdms@emory.edu or faxed to 404/727-0805.  Application review reopens October 2007 and will continue until the position is successfully filled.

Environment: One of the nation’s leading research universities, Emory excels in scholarly production of faculty, strength of new faculty and administrative appointments, volume of sponsored research, academic achievement of entering students, racial and gender diversity of the faculty and students, endowment support, and national reputation of both the university and healthcare.  The Libraries of Emory University include the General Libraries and Libraries for health sciences, law, theology, business and Oxford College. Holdings of the Emory Libraries total more than 3.1 million print and electronic volumes, 40,000-plus electronic journals, internationally renowned special collections including more than 15,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archives. The libraries offer access to thousands of electronic information resources. The Woodruff Library's Center for Library and Information Resources provides an integrated service environment that brings together technology and media specialists with librarians in a facility that includes an information commons, electronic classrooms, a distance learning classroom, the Center for Interactive Teaching, a state-of-the-art language lab and classrooms, the high-tech Goizueta Business Library, the new Heilbrun Music and Media Library, the Electronic Services Data Center, group study rooms, and comfortable study space with data connections as well as wireless access throughout the building. The Emory Libraries are members of the Association of Research Libraries, OCLC, the Research Libraries Group, the Center for Research Libraries, the Coalition for Networked Information, and the Digital Library Federation (for more information about the libraries visit http://web.library.emory.edu).

Emory University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and encourages women and minority candidates.