Librarian/Archivist

About the position The Adler Planetarium is seeking an Archivist/Librarian to join its dynamic team on Chicago's Museum Campus. This union position is responsible for the Adler Planetarium’s library, institutional archives, and other archival collections. The role involves leading the use, growth, and promotion of library and archival materials in public programs, special events, social media, and digital projects. The Archivist/Librarian will also manage the library database, perform cataloging, oversee conservation, supervise interns and volunteers, and utilize archival collections to expand understanding of Adler's institutional history. Additionally, this role will collaborate with the IT team on digital access management and retention policies, process physical and digital archival collections, organize audio/visual collections, and support scholarly research. The position also involves managing research appointments, handling copyright and reproduction requests, developing outreach initiatives, creating exhibits, coordinating publications, and applying for grants.

Responsibilities

• Establishing, implementing, and maintaining library procedures and guidelines
• Managing the database of library holdings
• Purchasing and accessioning new acquisitions
• Performing copy and original cataloging of rare and modern books
• Researching and writing finding aids
• Overseeing conservation work performed by contract conservators
• Supervise and coordinate the work of interns and volunteers working on library and archive collections
• Using the Archives collection to expand understanding of Adler's institutional history
• Working with Adler’s IT team to create and manage digital access management and institutional archives retention policy
• Accessioning, processing, and managing physical and digital archival collections
• Organizing and managing audio/visual archival collection and developing ways to make it publicly and institutionally accessible
• Working with the Curator & Director of Collections to use the library to expand the understanding of the history of astronomy by participating in scholarly research using the Adler's holdings, and by supporting the work of internal and visiting researchers
• Arranging, monitoring, and managing research appointments related to archival and rare books collections, and maintaining records of such appointments
• Overseeing copyright and image reproduction requests
• Developing, leading, and participating in outreach initiatives using library and archival holdings, such as participating in social media, evening events, and programs on the museum floor
• Developing and implementing exhibits, both on the museum floor and online through the Adler’s Google Arts and Culture page
• Coordinating the development and distribution of publications
• Applying for grant funding as needed

Requirements

• MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited library school, with a focus on rare books, archives, or special collections
• Two years’ experience as a librarian and/or archivist in a rare book library, archives, or special collection
• Knowledge of MARC format and Library of Congress Classification System
• OCLC knowledge and experience
• Experience using digital databases to catalog rare books, library, and archival materials
• Experience digitizing archival collections and creating finding aids and reference guides
• Awareness of museum, library, and archival content standards, controlled vocabularies, and data structure standards
• Awareness of content standards (such as AARC2 or DACS)
• Experience with planning and executing large-scale digitization and digital access projects, including scanning and metadata creation
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to solve problems creatively
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team and across the institution on multi-departmental projects
• Comfortable engaging with staff and visitors
• Comfortable speaking publicly about the Adler’s library and archival holdings

Nice-to-haves

• MLS or MLIS plus coursework in history, art history, museum studies, history of science, or a field related to the library and collections
• Five years’ experience in archives, rare book libraries, and/or special collections collections
• Expertise in the history of science or the history of astronomy
• Experience performing historical research with library holdings
• Experience implementing established vocabularies (such as LOC Authorities) and data structure standards (such as EAD and MARC)
• Experience with Axiell collections databases

Benefits

• 35-hour workweek
• Eligible to accrue up to 15 vacation days per year to start
• 3 sick days as of date of hire (can accrue up to 6.5 days per year)
• 7 Adler paid holidays
• 4 Personal Holidays (Prorated for new hires starting after January 1st)
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Paid Family Bereavement Leave & Jury Duty
• Paid Parental Leave
• Competitive Health Coverage
• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance
• Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter flexible spending accounts
• Adler Paid Short-Term Disability insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan 403B plan with Adler match
• Network of Support through our EAP programs
• Resources to help address emotional, legal, and financial issues
• Face-to-face, telephonic, and web-based services
• Free subscription to the Calm Premium app
• Employee Loan Program
• Discounted Onsite Parking Program
• Free Entrance to Chicago area museums and cultural institutions