Performing Arts Special Collections Project Archivist

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Job Description

Job Title: Museum Scientist, Principal; Working Title: Performing Arts Special Collections Project Archivist, Requisition number 20638.

UCLA Library’s performing arts special collections form a major resource for the study of music, film and television, theater and dance, providing extensive, in-depth documentation of 20th century American popular culture, particularly in the Los Angeles region. Acquired over the course of many years, the collections vary greatly in accessibility because of historical difference in intake and processing practices. As a member of the LSC Collection Management team, the Performing Arts Project Archivist (PAPA) surveys all performing arts-related special collections currently stored in YRL, the Shared Processing Facility, the Humanities Building, and SRLF and contributes to a comprehensive LSC backlog inventory. In consultation with the Processing Projects Librarian, the PAPA assesses the level of processing appropriate to each unprocessed or underprocessed backlog collection inventoried and determines processing priorities, identifies collections appropriate for grant-funded projects, and assists with composition of proposals with budgets. The PAPA arranges, describes, and processes archival collections according to current archival best practices and standards, creates and edits EAD-encoded archival finding aids, and drafts collection-level MARC records, with the goal of improving discoverability of and access to LSC’s performing arts special collections.

Library Special Collections (LSC) is an enterprise-wide, organizational entity within the UCLA Library System that integrates special collections resources, services, and operations. Central to this re-organized unit is a curatorial team of four subject experts (Performing Arts, University Archives, History of Science and Medicine, Collecting Los Angeles), three format specific curators (Rare Books, Visual Materials, Manuscripts), and the Head of the Center for Oral History Research. LSC also includes three administrative sections:
Collection Management, Research and Instructional Services, and Administrative Services.

The Collection Management Section centralizes the acquisitions, rare book cataloging, and processing of special collections materials; coordinates lending processes; and integrates collaboration with the Cataloging and Metadata Department, the Preservation Program, the Digital Library Program, and Digital Collections Services. The Research and Instructional Services Section integrates public services for LSC, including centralized reference and instructional services, and exhibitions and programs. The Administrative Services Section consolidates the planning, budget, human resources, fundraising, assessment, technology, and events functions of LSC. The entire staff of approximately 40 FTE work together as a team to build, preserve, and provide access to the outstanding special collections of the UCLA Library.

Required Qualifications
1. Masters’ degree in management, history, library studies, archival studies, or a related discipline with coursework or training in archives and manuscripts management.

2. Computer skills to include use of word-processing and database software, such as MS Word and MS Access, and research skills using local online public access systems and World Wide Web-based resources.

3. Demonstrated sound judgment and ability to work independently, set priorities and maintain them, and follow through on assignments. Ability to adjust priorities and procedures as directed by changing goals and objectives.

4. Ability to conduct a broad analysis of archival materials.

5. Ability to research, identify and describe archival materials in a variety of formats.

6. Ability to conduct an inventory of an archive, to create a logical hierarchical organization, and to develop a processing work plan.

7. Organizational skills that support the prioritization and management of multiple research and analytic elements concurrently.

8. Physical ability to lift, shift, and shelve boxes weighing up to 25 lbs. and to push book trucks containing materials weighing up to 200 lbs.

9. Ability to initiate and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and managers. Ability to work harmoniously and as a team player, thrive in a team-based environment, and skill in fostering teamwork among others.

10. Ability to follow directions from supervisors (and to provide clear directions to staff and student employees).

11. Ability to get to work reliably and on time and to be present in the workplace during normal working hours.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in creating archival processing plans.

2. Working knowledge of archival computer software, including Archivists’ Toolkit, and/or its application to carryout archival functions and to create archival metadata.

3. Experience in identifying, gathering, and analyzing statistical information;
monitoring workflows; and writing summary reports.

How to Apply

PLEASE NOTE: This position REQUIRES that a RESUME and COVER LETTER be submitted in addition to the UCLA Application. Please have FILES ready to upload when applying.

Full description and application process at: hr.mycareer.ucla.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=64007  

Application deadline is July 29, 2014.

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