Harvard University
Digital Content Management Archivist for Institutional Collections
Harvard Library
61326BR
Job Summary
Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on March 1, 2023.
Reporting to the Collections Services Archivist/Processing Manager, the Digital Content Management Archivist for Institutional Collections (DCM Archivist) manages born-digital content including institutional records transferred from administrative and academic departments and systems, email, student scholarly output such as theses and prize papers, and archived websites, from initial receipt through deposit in a preservation repository. The DCM Archivist works with Harvard University Archives (HUA) staff across all units to develop, implement, and adjust workflows for the long-term management and delivery of born digital content created at the University and in the related community during all phases of the records lifecycle.
The Harvard University Archives has recently joined with the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, Fine Arts Library, Harvard Film Archive, and Houghton Library to create Archives, Arts, and Special Collections of Harvard Library, a new administrative unit currently planning integrated approaches to technical services for archives and special collections across the portfolio.
Position Description
• Leads processing archivists in the analysis, description, and management of digital content, including content in hybrid (analog and digital) and fully digital collections.
• Arranges and describes both analog and born-digital archival collections.
• Develops standards, guidelines, and preferred practices for long-term management and delivery of born digital University records and historical content in all HUA collecting areas.
• Writes and maintains documentation and trains staff on born digital systems and procedures.
• Liaises with Collection Development and Records Management Services staff regarding incoming digital content transfers from University administrative, academic program offices and other stakeholders.
• Consults on descriptive practices, preferred formats, and the tracking and management of digital University records and associated metadata.
• Coordinates with HUA Public Services and Collection Development and Records Management Services staff to make transferred digital content accessible to researchers and University stakeholders.
• Liaises with University IT staff on content transfers to/from related systems for institutional support or administrative needs.
• Coordinates the logging of digital content in internal inventory systems, processing and preparing digital content for administrative research use, advising on best practices for born digital content description, demarcating restricted content as required according to Harvard University records policies, and preparing content for delivery in controlled digital access environments.
• Collaborates with Harvard Library colleagues in developing and sharing best practices.
• Represents HUA on relevant Harvard Library digital content committees and task forces.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
• May supervise part-time or temporary staff.
Basic Qualifications
• MLS/MIS degree with concentration in archival studies or equivalent education or work experience.
• Minimum of three to five years of professional experience in an archives setting.
• Minimum two years of experience analyzing, describing, and preserving born digital content in institutional records and personal archives.
• Experience with digital forensics/disk imaging hardware and software such as FTK, BitCurator, floppy drive controllers (e.g. Catweasel, Kryoflux), writeblockers, and emulators.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
•Working knowledge of best practices and standards for the acquisition, description, preservation, and delivery of born digital content in an archives or special collections environment.
•Working knowledge of library and archival information systems including the ILS and ArchivesSpace, RDA and DACS descriptive standards, MARC and EAD encoding standards, and controlled vocabularies such as LCSH and AAT.
•Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism.
•Ability to contribute to a team environment where consultation, communication, creativity, and flexibility are essential.
•Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
•Experience scripting and using programming languages (Python, PHP, Perl) preferred.
•Supervisory experience preferred.
•Demonstrated attention to detail.
•Excellent organizational, analytical and communication (both orally and written) required.
•Additional master’s degree in history or American studies preferred.
Physical Requirements
• This position involves lifting and moving loads weighing in excess of 40 pounds and requires bending, squatting, stretching and climbing small step stools when needed to pack or retrieve boxes/cartons and shelve them.
• Located in a library office setting and in areas where records are stored, there may be limited exposure to dust, and dirt.
Working Conditions
• The position will be based on our campus in Cambridge, MA.; however, there may be the opportunity for a flexible or hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University dynamic work policies.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, BELONGING, AND ANTI-RACISM AT HARVARD LIBRARY
Across the Harvard Library, our work is enriched by our diverse campus community. Our unique and wide-ranging abilities, experiences, and perspectives are integral to achieving Harvard University’s mission of excellence in research, teaching, and learning for our patrons, our collections, and our workplace. We believe that an inclusive environment that cultivates and promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration across our diverse workforce enables our success.
We invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities to be a part of our community of over 700 staff members. Our work with faculty, students and researchers to explore answers to intellectual questions, enduring and new, and to seek solutions to the world’s most consequential problems, requires that we not only reflect, but also champion our diverse society.
Harvard Library inspires collaboration, reflection, experimentation, and discovery connecting users to related disciplines and to University-wide teaching resources. The Library engages users through curated discovery, digital collections, reimagined physical space, and specialized research support. Today, Harvard Library’s holdings range from traditional print collections to rapidly expanding access to digital resources. Harvard Library provides the University’s faculty, students, and researchers-now and in the future-with exceptional experiences and comprehensive access to these materials.
Learn more about our contributions to the academic enterprise by visiting this web-site and about the Harvard University community at this web-site.
The Harvard Library is a proud member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.
Job Function
Library
Sub Unit
————
Location
USA – MA – Cambridge
Department
Harvard University Archives
Time Status
Full-time
Union
00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Pre-Employment Screening
Criminal, Education, Identity
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
EEO Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
PI202608843