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Vacancy Announcement - Head, Institute Archives



Do not send applications to sender.
Applications instructions are included at the end of the announcement.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF STAFF VACANCY

HEAD, INSTITUTE ARCHIVES
AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries seek an experienced, innovative, and technically savvy archivist to guide the continuing development of the Institute Archives and Special Collections.  These collections comprise one of the largest university archives and one of the most significant collections related to the history of science and technology in the U.S.  The holdings include over 13,000 feet of Institute records and personal papers, an important rare book collection, MIT theses, MIT publications and technical reports, and other related materials.  The Head is responsible for managing all activities related to building and managing these collections for the benefit of present and future scholars and MIT administrators.  In addition, the Head oversees a records management program for the Institute.  The Libraries are seeking an individual who can provide the leadership required to effectively manage a large collection of important traditional paper records and simultaneously develop strategies for meeting the challenges posed by electronic records. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Head is responsible for the visibility of the Archives and Special Collections at MIT, leading outreach efforts to administrators, faculty, and staff.  He/she contributes to information policy decisions at the Institute and consults on Institute-wide projects relating to electronic records.  Leading a staff of seven FTE, the Head establishes policy and processes for all aspects of the department?s work, including:  records appraisal, solicitation of new collections, preservation/storage, arrangement/description, and reference/access services. This includes leadership in the evaluation and implementation of technology to enhance management of and access to the collections.

Reporting to the Associate Director for Collection Services, the Head works within an environment of shared responsibilities for such functions as preservation, cataloging, and digitization projects.  He/she serves as the Archives? representative to various committees and advisory groups within the Libraries, including the Policy Committee for the Libraries? DSpace initiative.  As a member of the Libraries? administrative group, he/she participates in the Libraries? governance and fundraising activities.   

Qualifications:  Required - ALA accredited MLS/MLIS or an MA in history, either accompanied by significant coursework in archival principles and theory or demonstrated significant working knowledge; 7-10 years of increasingly responsible archival experience; significant management and supervisory experience; and excellent interpersonal and communication skill.  In addition, the successful candidate will meet a majority of the following qualifications:  experience in a college or university setting; experience providing public service or reference assistance; experience writing grant proposals and/or working with a development officer; experience with a records management program; evidence of ability to work well with staff, faculty, administrators, and donors; a record of achievement in outreach activities; experience with or an understanding of issues related to electronic records; evidence of understanding of intellectual property issues; familiarity with appropriate technology; background in the U.S. history of science and/or technology; record of sustained participation and contribution to the archival/library profession.

Hiring Salary:  $70,000 minimum. Actual salary will depend on experience.

Review of applications will begin July 12, 2002.  Send cover letter, resume, and names and addresses of five current references to:
Search Committee for Head, Institute Archives
The Libraries, Room 14S324
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, Massachusetts  02139-4307
(Applications may also be sent via fax to 617-253-0583 or via e-mail to rmdead@mit.edu.)

The MIT Libraries include five major subject libraries (architecture and planning; engineering; humanities; science; management and social sciences) and several branch libraries in more specialized subject areas.  The Libraries hold more than 2.6 million printed volumes, and extensive collections of other physical formats.  Over 200 digital databases and over 3000 electronic journals are licensed for access on the Institute?s network.  The Libraries recently implemented Ex Libris? Aleph system as its public Web-based catalog and as the support system for user service and processing functions.  The Libraries? webpage (http://libraries.mit.edu/) presents information about library services, as well as access to information resources through the staff-designed Vera interface. MIT Libraries maintain membership in the Association of Research Libraries, the Boston Library Consortium, and OCLC through NELINET, as well as in EDUCAUSE and the Coalition of Networked Information.

MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance and a relocation allowance.  The MIT Libraries affords a flexible and collegial working environment and fosters professional growth of its staff with management training and travel funding for professional meetings. 
  
MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community and particularly encourages applications from qualified women and ethnic minority candidates.

05/02 AAL

Mary Eleanor (Nora) Murphy
Reference Archivist
mithistory@mit.edu
617/253-5690

Please do not send questions to e-mail addresses of individual staff members.  Instead, address all correspondence, including follow-up correspondence, to <mithistory@mit.edu>.