Reference Archivist (Librarian), Pitts Theology ...

Discover Your Career at Emory University Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community. Description ABOUT PITTS THEOLOGY LIBRARY Pitts Theology Library, the premier theological library in North America, is one of Emory Universityu2019s six instructional libraries. It holds a distinguished collection of theological materials in a beautiful 60,000 square-foot facility. With active instructional and outreach programs and over 650,000 volumes, including over 155,000 volumes in its Special Collections, the library provides rich resources and services for the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and the broader community. Reporting to the Head of Special Collections, the Reference Archivist (RA) works with Special Collections materials and provides reference and research services to researchers, which may include Emory students and faculty, visiting scholars, and members of the public, and may also provide outreach on behalf of the Pitts Theology Library. The Reference Archivist also processes archival materials and creates descriptive metadata including catalog records and finding aids for material in all formats, including digital. The RA is responsible for recruiting, training, mentoring, and supervising 2-3 graduate and/or undergraduate students to assist with reading room duties and archival processing, creating meaningful learning and employment experiences for Emory University students. Administrative responsibilities include contributing to unit and division annual planning and reports. Finally, the Reference Archivist is expected to contribute to the library and professional community through committee service, conference presentations, and/or scholarship. Key Duties & Responsibilities REFERENCE u2022 Serves as primary source of reference assistance in Special Collections. u2022 Provides reference and research consultation services, in-person and virtually, for primary source research methods. Work with Emory students and faculty, visiting scholars, and the public as needed and assigned. u2022 Guides researchers through the completion of online registration for Aeon and shows researchers how to request Special Collections materials in Aeon. u2022 Provides primary oversight at Pitts Theology Library of the Special Collections Request System (Aeon) for Emory students and faculty, visiting scholars, and the public as needed. u2022 Maintains physical order of Special Collections stacks and assists with retrieval and reshelving of materials. u2022 Oversees reading room security by monitoring use of materials in the reading room as well as working with researchers to explain the rules of care and handling for special collections material. ARRANGEMENT AND DESCRIPTION u2022 Arranges and describes archival collections. u2022 Performs high-level collection analysis to assess intellectual and institutional value of collections and develops work plans outlining documentation, arrangement, timelines, and project decisions. u2022 Conducts appraisal of material within collections, a process by which the permanent, archival value of materials are evaluated. u2022 Determines appropriate levels of arrangement and description based on collection condition, local policy and practice, and professional judgment. u2022 Determines and performs basic preservation work such as removing rusty metal hardware, unfolding, and flattening documents, and transferring material to new, acid-free folders and boxes. u2022 Coordinates with the conservation unit regarding preservation issues with Special Collections materials. u2022 Creates finding aids for collections within ArchivesSpace, including biographical notes, scope and content notes, and detailed container inventories. u2022 Creates MARC format bibliographic record for collections, which are included in both WorldCat and the library's local catalog. OUTREACH AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING u2022 Coordinates with the Digital Assets Librarian regarding the digitization of Special Collections materials. u2022 Writes blog posts about archival collections or other topics related to the Special Collections department. u2022 May collaborate with Pitts staff regarding the planning, curation, and design of exhibitions. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES u2022 Supervises students to arrange and describe archival materials in accordance with current library and archival standards. u2022 Prioritizes work according to unit, departmental, library and university needs. u2022 Contributes relevant input and suggestions to inform decision making during annual processing planning. u2022 Makes recommendations on personnel selection, staffing requirements, and equipment and supply needs. u2022 Performs other duties as needed to accomplish the goals of the unit and library. u2022 Acts as a resource for fellow staff regarding procedural issues and archival theory. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES u2022 Participates in appropriate professional and scholarly associations and organizations including maintaining membership and/or accreditation; attending meetings, conferences, workshops; and serving in appointed or elected positions. u2022 Maintains up-to-date professional knowledge and skills in areas related to primary job assignment as well as maintains general knowledge of current trends in higher education, academic libraries, and information and educational technology. u2022 Provides reference assistance to Emory students and faculty, visiting scholars, and the public as needed and assigned. u2022 Participates in library and campus committees as appropriate for service purposes. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS u2022 ALA-accredited masters degree in Library and Information Science or Archival Studies OR equivalent education and experience (relevant subject expertise combined with professional library education and/or experience). u2022 One to two years demonstrated experience in appraising, accessioning, arranging, and describing manuscript collections, preferably in a special collections library in an academic environment. u2022 Demonstrated knowledge of issues relating to rare books, archives, and manuscripts. u2022 Demonstrated knowledge of current national archival and descriptive standards and best practices, including working knowledge of MARC format, EAD, DACS, and other archival descriptive standards. u2022 Ability to lift 40-pound boxes and to work in a dusty environment. u2022 Evidence of analytical, organizational, communication, project, and time management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and complete tasks and projects on time and within budget and in accordance with task/project parameters. u2022 Commitment to fostering a diverse educational environment and workplace and an ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty and student population. u2022 Capacity to thrive in an ambiguous, future-oriented environment of a major research institution and to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities. u2022 Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and issues in academic libraries and higher education. u2022 Ability to build and sustain effective interpersonal relationships with library staff, faculty, and students, off campus faculty and administrators, campus administrators, etc. NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee. Additional Details Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) 404-712-2049 (TDD). Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination. Connect With Us Connect with us for general consideration Job Number _160137_ Job Type _Regular Full-Time_ Division _Candler School Of Theology_ Department _Candler School Of Theology_ Campus Location (For Posting) : Location _US-GA-Atlanta_ _Location : Name_ _Emory Campus-Clifton Corridor_ Remote Work Classification _Primarily On Campus_ Health and Safety Information _Not Applicable_

Created: 2026-03-07