Position Overview

Western Kentucky University (WKU) Libraries invites applications for a ten-month, tenure-eligible faculty librarian to serve as University Archivist within the Department of Library Collections & Discovery. The University Archivist provides strategic leadership in the acquisition, preservation, description, and access of university records and historical materials that document the institutional history of WKU.

This ten-month faculty position collaborates with university offices, academic departments, and external donors and alumni to identify, acquire, and preserve records of enduring value to the university. The Archivist promotes access through arrangement and description, supports teaching and research through user services and outreach, and advances records management best practices in partnership with university stakeholders.

Principal Responsibilities

The following duties are customary for this position, but additional responsibilities may be assigned based on institutional needs and management discretion:

• Identify, acquire, and preserve official university records and related materials that document WKU’s history
• Determine the function, authenticity, and evidentiary value of records and related materials in conjunction with state and university records schedule
• Process archival collections following accepted professional standards, creating descriptive tools and metadata to ensure discoverability
• Develop and implement policies and workflows for the selection, transfer, and long-term preservation of institutional records, including digital assets
• Serve as records officer, advising university departments on records retention per the Kentucky State University Model Schedule
• Serve as primary administrator of Creative Commons institutional repository, designated TopScholar
• Provide reference services and research support to internal and external users of the archives
• Engage in outreach and instruction, including class sessions, exhibitions, public programs, and collaborative campus initiatives
• Collaborate with Special Collections faculty and staff to align university archives initiatives with the department’s mission and services
• Engage in teaching/professional effectiveness, research/creative activity, and service as outlined in the University and department’s criteria for faculty rank and promotion

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program.
• Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and best practices, including accessioning, arrangement and description, and digital preservation
• Familiarity with records management principles and legal/regulatory requirements for institutional records
• Experience with archival metadata standards
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with an ability to maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders

Interested? Learn more and apply here.