Job Information
Rhode Island School of Design Librarian/Archivist, Special Collections and RISD Archives (Term Appointment) in Providence, Rhode Island
Position Description:
Fleet Library at the Rhode Island School of Design ( RISD ), invites applications for a full-time professional librarian/archivist (term appointment) at the rank of Librarian I, to start July 1, 2024. This position is for a 1-year term appointment (AY 24/25). The term librarian/archivist is a sabbatical replacement and supports the activities of the Special Collections and RISD Archives areas of Fleet Library.
RISD recognizes principles of social equity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental to its academic mission as an art and design school. We understand these principles to require ongoing attention to differential embodied experience and expansion of the forms of knowledge from which curricula and creative and research practices originate. RISD is engaged in the collective work of institutional transformation and would value applicants whose professional experiences have prepared them to foster equitable research and learning environments. We seek applicants whose collections development, curatorial, library instruction and reference practices attend to embodied difference as intersectional and centers on bodies of knowledge from historically underrepresented communities. We encourage applicants from traditionally underrepresented communities including Native American peoples, Black and Indigenous peoples of color, Latinx, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
The librarian/archivist (term appointment) will work closely with staff in Special Collections and RISD Archives, the library director, other library teams, and RISD faculty and staff to provide innovative instruction and reference services using the library’s collections of rare books, artists’ books, institutional archives, and other primary source holdings. In addition to supporting day-to-day operations, the librarian/archivist (term appointment) will share the teaching load in Special Collections and RISD Archives with the Instruction and Outreach Librarian in Special Collections. In a typical academic year, these areas of the library, combined, provide object-based instruction to 120-130 classes and offer individualized support for 200-250 research appointments.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / DUTIES :
Instruction. This position plays a crucial role in the active classroom experience in Special Collections and RISD Archives and works closely with other area staff to teach from and promote the curricular integration of collection materials.
In consultation with faculty and library colleagues, develops and conducts customized instruction sessions for a range of art, design and liberal arts disciplines, using varied selections from special collections and archival resources.
Teaches best practices in the careful handling of these materials and instills a sensitivity to preservation concerns.
Engages students in the analysis and interpretation of primary sources through discussion, focused looking assignments, and other in-person instructional methods.
Produces print and online materials including lesson plans, class handouts, and research guides to support instruction and promote creative inquiry.
Research services. This position is a point of contact for individuals seeking access to and information about Special Collections and RISD Archives materials for research and reference purposes.
With the assistance of the Lead Reader Services Assistant, who serves as the reading room manager, answers questions about requested materials and helps to make these materials available to researchers.
Provides recommendations to researchers, students, and faculty for additional materials to consult and answers research questions via scheduled or unscheduled in-person appointments, email, phone, and/or virtual conferencing platforms.
To the extent possible, provides research assistance when a researcher is not able to visit and consult requested materials in person.
Create online research guides.
Answers questions from RISD Archives holdings for RISD departments, particularly Planning, Design & Construction and the RISD Museum.
Collections development and maintenance.
Maintains ArchivesSpace collections management software for RISD Archives and other archives databases.
Collections processing and creation of finding aids, as time allows.
Makes recommendations for conservation treatment and preservation measures, as concerns arise.
Outreach.
Assists with team effort, led by Instruction and Outreach Librarian, Special Collections, to plan and implement the library’s annual student artists’ book contest and art book fair.
Curates or co-curates at least one exhibition from special collections and archives materials; contribute to planning and preparation of other exhibitions.
Participates in staffing special events, open houses, and related outreach activities.
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS :
Responsible for day-to-day operations in the RISD Archives through Dec. 31, 2024.
Supervises graduate assistant(s) and assists in supervision and guidance of student employees in support of the tasks described above.
Contributes to regular collection and reporting of statistics in Special Collections and RISD Archives.
Serves on cross-operational library working groups.
Participates in professional and institutional activities.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
ALA -accredited graduate degree in library/information science with coursework or equivalent experience in archives and/or special collections, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Experience providing instruction in the use of rare books or artists’ books and primary source literacy (professional or graduate school experience will be considered).
Experience in providing library and/or archives reference and research support (professional or graduate student experience will be considered).
Understanding and application of best practices in collections care, handling, and security protocols for special collections and archives.
Knowledge and experience with a range of library/archival management software (Sierra, Aeon, ArchivesSpace, and LibApps preferred).
Understanding of the commitment to standards, ethics, security guidelines, etc including ACRL / RBMS guidelines and standards.
Strong analytical skills, communication skills, attention to detail, and creative and innovative problem-solving.
Commitment to serving the needs and interests of a diverse, creative population of students, faculty, and staff.
Ability to set priorities, foster inclusion, exercise flexibility in meeting objectives, effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adjust as circumstances change.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience curating, planning, or mounting exhibitions, especially exhibitions of books or other paper-based work.
Participation in professional associations.
Experience and ease with commonly used design software (e.g. Adobe Suite).
Proficiency with commonly used productivity software (e.g. Google Workspace and project management platforms, such as Slack and Asana) and ability to learn new technologies with ease.
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Library