Tennessee State Library & Archives

Archivist 1 - Public Services
Nashville, TN
Full Time
Library & Archives Division
Entry Level
To apply: Please attach a resume and cover letter.

Mission:  The mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in a customer-centered environment.

Supervisor: Archivist 3 - Supervisor

Summary: The Tennessee State Library & Archives is seeking a customer-focused individual to join our team as an Archivist 1 in the Public Services section. The Archivist 1 will play a vital role in assisting patrons, providing reference services, and supporting the institution’s various public programs and initiatives. This position requires a passion for helping others, excellent communication skills, and a strong commitment to promoting access to information. Successful applicants will demonstrate curiosity, patience, and an eagerness to work with a diverse patron base via a variety of modes of communication.

Duties/Responsibilities: 

Provide exceptional customer service to patrons in the Microfilm and Manuscripts units of the Public Services Section - in person, in writing, via email, and by phone - by assisting with inquiries, locating materials, and offering guidance on library and archival resources and services.
Assist onsite researchers with questions related to general orientation to the research rooms, history, genealogy, legislative records, and other subjects, communicate library and archival policies, and provide tours to individuals and small groups.
Conduct reference interviews to understand patrons' information needs and provide accurate and relevant information and research assistance.
Answers phone, e-mail, and online chat reference requests by searching for the materials, producing required reproductions, corresponding with researchers, and preparing written responses.
Assist patrons with using library computers and online institutional resources, including the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL), Ancestry, Fold3, HeritageQuest, ProQuest Historical Newspapers, and related content; keeps current with new databases added and navigational changes within TEL.
Represents the Tennessee State Library & Archives at professional, educational, historical, and genealogical society meetings to network with fellow professionals and to provide public outreach beyond the walls of our building by sharing information about collections and services.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop and maintain engaging displays, reading lists, and other promotional materials to showcase collections and services.
Assist in collection maintenance, including shelving and organizing materials in the Tennessee Reading Room to ensure they are easily accessible to patrons.
Retrieves books, vertical files, and archival material from closed stacks requested by patrons.
Perform informative services at the Public Services desks and via virtual reference, including a minimum of one Saturday per month.
Reconcile daily financial reports against monies collected.
Work on assigned projects with other sections in the Library & Archives and perform other duties as required.
Qualifications:

Possess a master’s degree in Archival Studies, Public History, or a related field and/or a master’s degree in Library Science or Information Science from an ALA-accredited college or university.
Accreditation as a Certified Archivist from the Academy of Certified Archivists considered a plus.
Strong passion for public service and excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact positively with patrons and staff.
Possesses intermediate to advanced skills in researching library, archival, and microfilm sources, websites, and online databases and resources, and applies sound analytical thinking to problem-solving.
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate complex information clearly to individuals and to small groups in person, by phone, mail, e-mail, and via online chat.
Experience in genealogy research methods, legislative history research, and Tennessee history desired.
Proficiency in current and emerging technologies is especially desired, combining past and present research tools to devise search strategies in response to research requests and project assignments.
Physical Requirements:

Perform some work while standing, including walking with individuals and groups to locate materials, provide tours, or orient them to microfilm and archival holdings in the Tennessee Reading Room.
Assists as stack puller which may require the ability to lift a minimum of twenty (20) pounds.
Health, Safety, and Collections Security:
Assist the organization to create a safe and healthy working environment by working safely with the equipment provided. 
Follow instructions given for health and safety purposes and immediately report any unsafe working practices or hazardous working conditions.
Take whatever measures are necessary to protect the collections from loss, mutilation, or theft.
Salary: $47,000 annually plus the State of Tennessee benefits package.
https://tennesseesecretaryofstate.applytojob.com/apply/s5rw45S71l/Archivist-1-Public-Services?source=Our%20Career%20Page%20Widget