What are the responsibilities and job description for the Archives and Manuscript Librarian (Temporary Position) (Hybrid Opportunity) position at UMass Amherst?
About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Description
The Archives and Manuscript Librarian (Archivist) will work with colleagues in the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center (SCUA) to provide comprehensive support in the department's ongoing efforts to curate and preserve its collections and to provide outstanding access to its holdings. The Archivist will assist patrons in learning and research; supervise use of the collections in SCUA's reading room, train and supervise student assistants, work with classes to promote integration of primary sources into university curriculum, and implement professional standards in care, arrangement, and description of collections.
Temporary Position
This position will be for a duration of 12-14 months and cannot exceed April 30, 2026.
Essential Functions
- Provide reference service to users of collections held by SCUA as required, handling questions or referring them as appropriate. Search departmental databases, websites, other finding aids and collections to answer questions posed by telephone callers, in-person visitors, or correspondence (electronic or physical).
- Contribute to SCUA's instruction program including pulling collections for classes, assisting SCUA staff in preparing class presentations and exercises, and conducting classes both as part of a team and independently as needed.
- Train and supervise student assistants in SCUA. With SCUA colleagues, identify appropriate student projects and oversee work activities and products.
- Maintain security of materials. Ensure that unauthorized people do not enter stack area. Supervise physical use of materials to ensure they are not damaged or stolen.
- Assist in preparing exhibits of materials from SCUA's collections for SCUA exhibit area, the W.E.B. Du Bois Library exhibitions area, and special events, as required.
- Classify, process, arrange, describe, and prepare finding aids for SCUA collections according to best practices informed by archival theory and practice. Conduct research necessary to prepare descriptions of finding aids.
- Work in other SCUA areas
as necessary. Maintain sufficient working knowledge of each operation in order to provide service in the absence of regularly scheduled staff.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
Work Schedule
Salary Information
Librarian I salary floor : $55,000.
Benefits
University benefits may differ based on collective bargaining agreements (unions). Please see below for the potential benefits MSP Librarians can be entitled to obtain : benefits for the Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP) members and benefits for MSP Librarians positions :
Application Instructions
Along with the application, please submit a cover letter and resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University's goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual's record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree.
Salary : $55,000
