Reference Archivist

OVERVIEW:   Provide access and research services to internal and external patrons using the Providence College Archives and Special Collections.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Serve as the primary provider of reference services; coordination and supervision of the reading room; provide reproductions of collections materials for reference purposes; develop research guides and other tools to support access and use of collections; schedule and conduct research consultations; and collaborate with research education librarians.  Manage and respond to all incoming research requests in a timely and accurate manner.   Maintain the ASC email account.   Develop a strong understanding of college collections holdings to best serve patron access via email, chat, phone, and in-person research consultations.  Collaborate with ASC and Library colleagues to develop research guides and other tools to promote and support collections use.  (35%)
2. Manage scheduling of the reading room and research appointments and drop-in hours to ensure access to collections, staff safety, and security of collections.  Communicate with ASC colleagues regarding scheduling support needs, forecasting busy periods based on instruction session patterns and academic calendars. Train student workers in the handling and organizing of collections for research support, collections processing, etc.; develop training guides and resources for student workers.  Provide meaningful feedback on work progress and areas of improvement.  Identify opportunities for students to learn new concepts and skills related to accomplishing projects.  (20%)
3. In collaboration with the Head of Archives and Special Collections, maintain and revise policies, workflows, and procedures related to public services in the ASC.  Define metrics and maintain statistics on outreach and public service activities based on industry best practices and established principles, and compile department statistics and data.   Develop strategies for collecting and comprehensively analyzing collections data including research requests and the various aspects of collections use (i.e. exhibits, reference, teaching, etc.).  (20%)
4. Participate in the preparation and delivery of instruction sessions.  Contribute to and collaborate on outreach activities such as exhibits, social media, and various campus events.  Teach small group or class instruction sessions using archival materials.  Research collections and related library resources to prepare archives instruction sessions.  Collaborate with Research and Education and Digital Projects to integrate ASC collections and other primary sources into information literacy instruction and media or digital projects.  Research, design, and implement exhibits in collaboration with other archival or library staff.  Coordinate and support the use of archival collections in social media and other outputs, both in the library and wider campus channels.  (15%) 
5. Support the care and management of the Collections.  Teach users appropriate care of collections and note any conservation/preservation concerns as collections are accessed.  Contribute to processing and digitization projects, and collections space maintenance to ensure collections preservation.  (5%)
6. Serve on library committees as appropriate.  Participate in special projects which impact the entire library, including the archives.   (5%)

MARGINAL DUTIES: