Illinois State University
Assistant/Associate Professor - Digital Archivist
Illinois State University
Normal, IL
Title: Assistant/Associate Professor – Digital Archivist
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: Milner Library
Campus Location: Normal, IL
General Summary
Illinois State University’s Milner Library seeks an innovative, forward-thinking, and collaborative librarian for a new tenure-track faculty position responsible for accessioning, processing, and providing access to the university’s digital materials. In collaboration with the University Archivist, the Digital Archivist will develop the foundation for building a robust and sustainable digital archives program at the Dr. JoAnn Rayfield Archives. Utilizing current standards and best practices, the Digital Archivist will recommend file transfer solutions, process digital and analog archival collections, make preservation recommendations, and provide access to digital materials. The Digital Archivist will research, test, and recommend a content management system for digital materials held at the Rayfield Archives. The position will also be responsible for teaching a three-credit hour course in archives and manuscripts for the Department of History.
Reporting to the University Archivist, this is a 12-month, tenure-track faculty position with appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. The successful candidate must have expertise in arranging and describing archival collections, particularly those containing digital and digital-born materials, and knowledge of archival, metadata, and digital preservation standards. The candidate must also have knowledge of and experience with legacy, long unsupported, and/or abandoned media types, file formats, software, operating systems, and hardware. Preferably, the successful candidate will have knowledge of copyright and permission issues, and familiarity with basic programming languages (PHP, Perl, Python, etc.). While the position will work in tandem with Rayfield Archives staff, the Digital Archivist will also collaborate closely with staff members in Library Information Technology Services (LITS), Digital Collections, and the Metadata Librarians. The Digital Archivist will also occasionally supervise student staff and interns.
Milner Library faculty members have responsibilities in the areas of librarianship, scholarship/creative productivity, and service as outlined in Illinois State University Faculty Appointment, Salary, Promotion, and Tenure Policies and Milner Library’s Department and College Faculty Status Committees’ Criteria for Evaluation, Promotion, and Tenure.
Duties and Responsibilities
* Works with the University Archivist to establish policies and best practices for working with digital materials.
* Develops workflows for accessioning, processing, and providing access to digital materials held at the Rayfield Archives.
* Arranges and describes digital and analog materials.
* Preserves and makes accessible archival materials stored on legacy, long unsupported, and/or abandoned media types, file formats, software, operating systems, and hardware.
* Reviews and tests software, open-source and proprietary, and will recommend systems for implementation in managing and providing access to digital content.
* Teaches a three-credit hour course in archives and manuscripts for the ISU Department of History.
* Provides reference assistance to researchers.
* Collaborates with Milner Library colleagues in developing and sharing best practices.
* Serves as a resource for all constituencies on digital archives standards and best practices.
* Monitors trends in digital archives and introduces new ideas for potential implementation.
* Serves on library, university, and professional association committees as needed.
Diversity Statement
Illinois State University and Milner Library are strongly committed to the continued development and implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices for our faculty, staff, and student communities. We seek innovative and supportive colleagues to help us build a culturally diverse Redbird community in an engaged multicultural environment. We invite all interested applicants to review Milner Library’s current Strategic Plan, Mission and Vision statements, and explore the Values we include in our work.
People who work at Milner are
The workers at Milner Library are actively engaged in scholarship and creative activity, and engaged in other collaborative projects at all levels of the university. They value the diverse strengths and identities of our students and recognize that to succeed, students need to see themselves and their work reflected in Milner Library’s atmosphere, spaces, services, and collections. They strive to create equitable and inclusive practices to support students’ learning and belonging.
Milner Library IDEA Committee
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2021
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2022
Milner Library faculty and staff publications on ISU ReD
Milner Library Annual Report, 2021
Milner Library News Feed
People who work at Milner grow their careers through
Tuition remission for up to 8 credit hours of classes per semester
Professional Development funds for conference travel, lodging, registration fees, and other professional development opportunities.
University Research Grants to support new faculty with funds to develop their research
An active mentorship program and strong record of faculty receiving tenure and promotion
Monthly meeting-free days to work on research, scholarship, and creative activities
Sabbaticals are possible for Milner faculty members.
People who work at Milner improve their work-life balance through
Flexible schedules and mental health assistance
Flexible schedules
Wellness participation
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Spouse/Domestic Partner and Dependent support
Domestic Partner Benefits
Dependent Tuition Waiver (up to 50%)
Family support
ISU Daycare Center
ISU employee discounts at local daycare centers
Family Medical Leave Act protected leave of absence
Additional Information
Illinois State University: Illinois State University http://www.illinoisstate.edu, founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois. There are approximately 21,000 students in the six colleges of Illinois State University. In our most recent strategic plan Educate ? Connect ? Elevate, we have committed our resources to realizing seven core values: Learning and Scholarship, Diversity and Inclusion, Respect, Collaboration, Individualized Attention, Civic Engagement, and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our University being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Also visit the University’s metrics of excellence at (http://illinoisstate.edu/pointsofpride/).
Bloomington-Normal Community: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance’s International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems and its citizens’ high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. SmartAsset ranked Bloomington IL, in the top 20 of the most livable cities in the U.S. (2022). Zippia named Bloomington, IL, as #1 on their “Happiest Cities” list (2020), and Best Choice Schools listed the area on its “30 Small College Towns with Great Quality of Life” (2020). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis, two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis, and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield; many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via the Amtrak located 1 block from ISU’s campus. For more information on our community, please visit (http://visitbn.org/).
Required Qualifications
1. A degree from an American Library Association-accredited graduate program or an ALA-recognized international equivalent.
2. Evidence of archival processing, particularly the arrangement and description of digital materials
3. Familiarity with digital platforms and content management systems (e.g., Preservica, Archivematica, ArchivesSpace, etc.)
4. Knowledge and understanding of archival and metadata standards and best practices (e.g. Encoded Archival Description, Dublin Core, Describing Archives: A Content Standard, etc.)
5. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
6. Demonstrated ability and experience to plan, manage and oversee complex projects, meet deadlines, and prioritize work in alignment with goals of the department, library, and university.
7. Evidence of strong commitment to customer service.
8. Evidence of strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
9. Potential to meet university requirements for tenure, including scholarly or creative activities and service.
10. State law mandates demonstrable oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position.
Desired Qualifications
1. Digital Archives Specialist certificate through the Society of American Archivists or other relevant certificate programs.
2. Certification through the Academy of Certified Archivists.
3. Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, develop, and mentor students and staff.
4. Two or more years working with digital archives.
5. Knowledge of copyright and permission guidelines.
6. Familiarity with basic programming languages.
7. A record of teaching archives and related courses with a strong teaching orientation.
Work Hours
Varies
Proposed Starting Date
07/01/2023
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
Annual salary begins at $68,000 and is commensurate with experience and qualifications, including a comprehensive benefits package.
Required Applicant Documents
* Cover letter addressing required qualifications
* Curriculum vitae
* Names and email addresses of three references
PLEASE NOTE: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Special Instructions for Applicants
The Rayfield Archives will offer informational sessions for interested candidates on the following dates:
November 9th at 11am CST, Zoom link: https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/95398270249
November 28th at 1pm CST, Zoom link: https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/95758426621
These non-recorded sessions serve as an opportunity for interested candidates to ask questions about the position, the repository, and other related matters. Participants can also view a short video of the current Rayfield Archives facilities.
Review of applications will begin December 2, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.
Contact Information for Applicants
Leta Janssen, lajanss@ilstu.edu
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.
Illinois State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer encouraging applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, females, and veterans.
https://www.higheredjobs.com/faculty/details.cfm?JobCode=178171511