Job Description
The Brown University Library is a dynamic center of scholarship and community at the heart of a
world-class research university. Supporting and collaborating with a broad and diverse academic
constituency, the Library is essential for Brown’s mission “to serve the community, the nation, and the
world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free
inquiry.” Integrating with Brown’s ambitious strategic plans, the Library is a site of innovation that fuels
intellectual creativity. Signature Library initiatives include the establishment of the Center for Library
Exploration and Research to increase campus and community impact; the Racial Justice Project to assess
and counteract the legacies of historical racism in library practice; the Digital Publications Initiative
pioneering new approaches to born-digital scholarship; and a revisioned special collections program that
is positioning the John Hay Library as a research destination and leader in reparative and
community-based collecting. We are seeking outstanding library professionals at all levels of the
organization who are excited about advancing academic excellence at the highest level, and who will
bring a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to a scholarly community that is actively
committed to being more diverse and inclusive.
The Processing Archivist arranges, describes, and catalogs the archival and manuscript collections
acquired by the John Hay Library to fulfill the integrative scholarship and educational mission of the
University. This position is a crucial part of the strategic plan for cataloging and collection access as
outlined in the Library’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. The work is done in a user-centered,
access-driven, and reparative-focused approach to processing archival collections. The position will
contribute to correcting and dismantling the systems, vocabulary, and policies that perpetuate
institutionalized legacies of historic racism and discrimination in the archival record.
Reporting to the Head, Collection Services and Metadata, the Processing Archivist evaluates archival and
manuscript collections based on records management policies, relevant laws, long-term preservation,
and efficient use of space resources. The priority will be cataloging materials created by and/or
documenting marginalized groups and revising legacy cataloging that perpetuate anti-black racism and
contain oppressive terminology of all types. The work will also move the Brown University Library into
closer alignment with the Protocols for Native American Archival Materials by identifying items created
by or about indigenous people, correcting descriptions, and restricting culturally sensitive information.
To support this work, the Processing Archivist will train and mentor student assistants to perform
entry-level tasks. Their cataloging work will also be informed by direct user interaction through regular
service at library service points.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
Brown University Benefits Spotlight
Additional Info & Requirements
Education and Experience
● ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science, or an equivalent combination of
education and experience.
● 1 year of experience in an academic library, public library, school library or other cultural heritage
setting, or educational institution in a cataloging, teaching, administration, or research role.
● Experience or academic training in one or more of the following: Native American & Indigenous
Studies, Black Studies (or equivalent), Gender & Sexuality, or other related fields.
● Experience providing public access to original cultural heritage resources through cataloging,
reference, research or teaching.
● Demonstrated ability to research historical subjects, remain abreast of research and academic
trends, and learn and apply evolving professional descriptive standards.
● Familiarity with library or museum cataloging standards such as DACS, CCO, MARC, AACR2, or RDA,
desirable but not required.
● Demonstrated planning, decision making, and problem-solving skills with superior verbal and written
communication skills.
● Excellent organizational, time, and project management skills.
● Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a diverse, dynamic, team setting and to balance
multiple competing priorities.
● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of the University.