Reporting to the Friedheim Library Head Librarian, the Archivist is responsible for the accessioning, organization, description, digitization, and maintenance of Institute records and unprocessed special collections comprised of material in all formats. The successful candidate will manage content delivery and digital archiving, ensuring application of best practices related to long-term digital preservation, accessibility, copyright, and emerging methods of scholarly communication.

The Arthur Friedheim Library houses one of the largest and oldest music collections in the country, and serves the faculty, staff, and students of the two divisions of the Peabody Institute (the Conservatory and the Preparatory) and the broader Johns Hopkins University community, as well as the general public. Holdings include over 180,000 books, scores, periodicals, and manuscripts; 60,000 sound recordings in all formats; 4,000 DVDs and videos; microform; and over 6,000 linear feet of archival and special collections. The Friedheim Library also houses the Filby Rare Book Room and the Peabody Archives, which documents the Institute’s history as well as the cultural development of Baltimore and the State of Maryland from the mid nineteenth century to the present.

Records Management

• Ensures compliance from, timely transfer and accessioning of appropriate documents, and prompt and accurate reference and research services to internal departments, such as Alumni, Business, Communications, Concert Office, Dean, Development, Library, Preparatory, Recording Arts, Registrar, and Student Affairs.
• Organizes and backs up text, audio, video, and born-digital files on the library’s server.
• Oversees inventory control of Institute records and archival collections, including shelving and paging materials to and from remote storage. 

Collections Processing

• Processes Institute-related special collections, devising archival arrangement, description, housing, and creating finding aids.
• Coordinates with Resource Description Librarian to provide access to archival material through Catalyst, the library’s online catalog, and OCLC/WorldCat.
• Works with the Outreach and Digital Learning Librarian to post finding aids online, update Archives web pages, promote materials and services through social media, and curate digital exhibits.
• Encodes finding aids with links to digitized items.
• Works with department head to: 1) identify funding, collaborations, and opportunities to process, preserve, and promote archival and special collection materials; 2) review and assess of gift collections; and, 3) assist in the preparation and writing of grant proposals.

Preservation / Digitization

• Prioritizes Institute records and liaises with internal departments to identify and electronically organize and share high-priority materials for digitization.
• Works with Resource Description Librarian to prepare metadata and promote global discovery of digitized archival material through CONTENTdm, the library’s content management system.
• Collaborates with Recording Arts and Systems on implementing large-scale digitization and storage of retrospective and current student, guest artist, and ensemble sound recordings, moving-image materials, and concert and recital programs.
• Identifies, organizes, preserves, and coordinates access to other audio and visual material, including LP and 78-rpm recordings, and reel-to-reel, cassette, and video tapes, by transferring to a digital format.
• Surveys and develops preservation plan for obsolete audio formats, including acetate, aluminum, and instantaneous discs.

Reference

• Provides reference services and research support for archival and digital collections to users worldwide, responding to requests in person or by e-mail, mail, and phone.
• Pulls and reshelves items requested from the Filby Rare Book Room, supervising and recording all use.
• Monitors all use and collects statistics for reporting and evaluation of staffing and services.

Service

• Receives requests and issues permissions to publish, broadcast, and perform material held by the Peabody Archives.
• Works with JHU’s Curator of Cultural Properties on managing Peabody’s art collections.
• Trains and supervises student assistants and interns working in Archives.
• Works with librarians, media specialists, and archivists from other Hopkins libraries to implement University policy, retention schedules, and best practices.
• Represents the library and Archives on relevant University-wide committees and groups.
• Is active professionally, contributes to the field, and pursues appropriate professional development activities to stay informed of best practices, new trends, and innovative technologies.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education, Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in music or relevant musical background.
• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library or Information Science, archival studies, or sound or moving-image preservation, or equivalent in training and experience.
• Two years of experience working with special collections or in an archive.
• Demonstrated experience processing and digitizing print, audio, and visual materials.
• Ability to physically engage with the collection, including lifting up to 40 pounds and using ladders and step stools.
• Working knowledge of descriptive and metadata encoding standards: EAD, MARC 21, DACS, Dublin Core, MODS, XML.
• Experience with and content management systems for Archives, such as Archon, Archivists’ Toolkit, or CONTENTdm, and institutional repositories (e.g., Fedora).
• Knowledge of audio recording equipment, history, and formats, including 78-rpm discs, magnetic tape, and LPs.
• Awareness of current and emerging trends, best practices, and technologies in the preservation of audiovisual materials.
• Knowledge of major music reference sources.
• Understanding of copyright issues as related to sound recordings, archival materials, and digitization.

Preferred Education, Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Advanced degree in Music.
• Archival certification, formal archival education, or coursework in archival studies.
• Familiarity with platforms used to host digital collections or digital exhibits (e.g., Omeka, CONTENTdm) and institutional repositories (e.g., Fedora).
• Knowledge of one or more Western European languages, preferably German.
• Experience with computer hardware and software used for editing and reformatting audio and video, such as Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro.
• Experience working with born-digital materials.