Archives and Manuscript Librarian (Temporary Position)

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.
• Work creatively, collaboratively, and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, and inclusiveness within UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.
• Work a schedule of Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the libraries and the department.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s degree in library science—or equivalent degree—from a program accredited by the American Library Association, or its appropriate equivalent in librarianship from another country, or have appropriate equivalent experience.
• Training in such areas as archival management, manuscripts, rare books, and/or special collections.
• Working knowledge of MARC format, strong knowledge of DACS and other relevant content standards, and strong familiarity with XML, EAD, MODS, DC, and other metadata standards.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster a collegial work environment that encourages change and innovation.
• Mastery of reference-interviewing skills and a superior level of efficiency in the use of reference and information sources, particularly primary, archival, rare, and manuscript sources.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral skills, including presentation skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment, including remaining calm under pressure.
• Strong service ethic and the ability to interact effectively and work productively and collaboratively with a variety of colleagues and levels of staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work creatively, collaboratively and effectively and to promote teamwork, diversity, equality, and inclusiveness within the UMass Amherst Libraries and the campus.
• Strong service orientation and the ability to meet the public graciously and tactfully. Strong customer service attitude and initiative.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• One-year professional experience working with archives or manuscript collections.

Work Schedule

• The regular working schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, day hours.
• The incumbent of the position is expected to work on a flexible schedule, which includes some evening, weekend, and holiday hours.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP) Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the MSP collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

• Librarian I
  1. Librarian I salary floor: $55,000.
• Salary commensurate with experience.

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:

• Human Resources: Faculty & Staff General Benefits
• Massachusetts Society of Professors (MSP) Benefits
• MSP Librarian Positions Benefits

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.