University Archivist

**Schedule**
35hrs per week

**Education Level**
Master's Degree

**Career Level**
Level 2 or 3

McMaster University Library is seeking a knowledgeable and collaborative archivist to join the Distinctive Collections Division.

The University Archivist will develop foundational resources for the establishment of a university archives program. Working closely with the Associate University Librarian for Distinctive Collections, the Health Sciences Library Archivist, and the Privacy & Records Management Specialist in the University Secretariat, they will draft policies, procedures, and guidelines for a university archives program for discussion and approval. The incumbent will participate in meetings and outreach with McMaster University departments and offices in support of this work.

As policy and other documents take shape, the incumbent will, with support from the Libraries and the University Secretariat, collaborate with the Privacy & Records Management Specialist to identify potential archival records in the possession of McMaster departments and offices, giving attention to at-risk or high-priority records that may require more immediate action. As time allows following the approval of draft documents, transfer of such records may begin as proof-of-concept for the policies and procedures developed in the earlier stages of work, with the incumbent completing the necessary transfer processes and archival arrangement and description. Policies and procedures may be edited or refined based upon this experience.
- Work collaboratively on the development of policies, practices, and guidelines related to university archives. Review and incorporate relevant McMaster University polices. Collaborate with the University Secretariat, University Library, and Health Sciences Library to integrate university archives with broader university records management practices. Investigate and identify best practices in use by other Canadian university archives to inform this development.
- Draft a proposed mandate for the University Archives and a University Archives Collection Policy outlining the anticipated scope of the collection for approval by University leaders and leadership in the Libraries, ensuring that the Collection Policy is aligned with broader university records policies. As needed, based on the mandate and Collection Policy, draft appraisal guidelines for related non-university records (e.g., personal archives of faculty or alumni, records of student organizations, etc.).
- Develop processes and procedures for transferring archival records in all formats from departments and offices to the university archives, the management of university records in the archives, institutional and research access to archived university records, and anticipated preservation needs. Develop necessary documentation to record the transfer of records to archival control. Investigate and identify best practices in use by other Canadian university archives to inform this development.
- Collaborate with the Privacy & Records Management Specialist to identify potential archival records in the possession of McMaster departments and offices, giving attention to at-risk or high-priority records that may require more immediate action.
- Arrange and describe university records transferred to archival control to provide institutional and research access, as time allows. Support access to university records as needed by responding to reference requests for records that are in the custody of the archives.
- Collaborate with existing repositories, such as the Health Sciences Archives and the William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections, to leverage existing expertise and university resources. Establish relationships with other potential campus partners.
- Contribute to the development of a business case and/or other planning documents for an ongoing university archives program.

This is a full time, 24-month contractually-limited appointment reporting to the Associate University Librarian, Distinctive Collections. Normally scheduled weekly hours will be Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm (35 hours/week).

**Qualifications**:

- A Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited school of library and information science or its equivalent.
- Three or more years of experience working with organizational or corporate records.
- Knowledge of archival principles and practices in arrangement, description, preservation, and provision of access to archival records in an organizational setting.
- Understanding of the role of records management and its connections to organizational records and archives.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

**Additional qualifications that may be beneficial include**:

- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
- Previous experience in a higher education environment.

**Compensation**:
**Additional Information**:
McMaster University Library expects librarians to be active and engaged with the b