Assistant Librarian: Digital Processing Archivist

About the role

The Assistant Librarian with the additional title as Digital Processing Archivist is a 12-month, tenure-track position, reporting to the Executive Director of Library Services. This position is responsible for advancing the mission of the IU Northwest Archives and Special Collections, leading and overseeing archival processing and operations while spearheading digital stewardship initiatives that modernize workflows and expand access to the Archives' materials in support of sustainable preservation and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Serves as lead for archival processing projects and digital stewardship initiatives, including appraisal, arrangement, description, and preparation of physical and digital collections for access.
• Develops, maintains, and documents repository and collection-level finding aids, descriptive standards, and workflows to ensure consistency, discoverability, and long-term sustainability.
• Led digitization and digital stewardship initiatives, optimizing workflows that support preservation, metadata creation, file management, quality control, and expanding access to archival materials.
• Manages archival operations and digital systems that support access for library staff, researchers, and community users, ensuring reliable, accurate, and sustainable discovery of collections.
• Directs large-scale backlog reduction efforts, establishing processing priorities that align with institutional needs, research demand, and community interest.
• Identifies and addresses legal, ethical, and rights-related considerations including donor restrictions, copyright, and sensitive materials.
• Works in tandem with the Public Services Archivist to align processing priorities to support reference, instruction, outreach, and public programming needs.
• Works collaboratively with library faculty and staff to support strategic planning, digital initiatives, and coordinate archival operations across the library and IU system.
• Provides joint supervision and mentorship of student workers and MLIS interns in collaboration with the Public Services Archivist, assisting with training in processing, digitization, description, and related project work.
• Sometimes works some evenings and weekends as required.

About the John W. Anderson Library

The John W. Anderson Library serves a diverse population and is seeking applicants with excellent communication skills, previous reference experience and the ability to work well with various populations. The Library provides access to multiple information sources and services in support of student learning, faculty research, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS or comparable) from an ALA-accredited institution.
• Experience leading or managing archival processing and digitization efforts, including work with both physical and digital materials.
• Experience working in an archives, manuscripts repository, special collections, or comparable setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of American history and historiography, with familiarity with Northwest Indiana and/or Calumet Region history.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends, standards, workflows, and best practices related to archival processing and digitization.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team-oriented environment.
• Experience working with information systems, digital platforms, quality control, or technical troubleshooting.
• Supervisory, instructional, mentorship, or leadership experience in academic, archival, or project-based settings, or comparable professional contexts.
• Second master’s degree.