Manuscripts Processor

The Cataloging & Archival Processing Department of the University of Kansas Libraries is responsible for the cataloging and processing of all resources for the Libraries, including print and electronic monographs, print and electronic serials, maps, multimedia, government documents and archival/manuscript materials. In addition, the Department is heavily involved in the inventory of books and the updating of records associated with materials being moved to the Library Annex. The Department consists of 28 FTE staff members in a variety of classifications along with student assistants and has offices in both Watson and Kenneth Spencer Research Libraries.

Reporting to the Archives & Manuscripts Coordinator, this full-time position is located in the Processing Department at the Kenneth Spencer Research Library (KSRL). Following national standards and local policies, this position primarily inventories and physically processes complex manuscript collections, generates collection/series/box and folder descriptions in ArchivesSpace, KU Libraries' manuscript and digital object collection management system, assists with cleanup of more challenging legacy metadata/EADs, and generates other descriptive metadata as needed. This position also serves as a resource person for others in the Unit and serves as backup in coordinating day-to-day unit responsibilities when the Archives & Manuscripts Coordinator is unavailable or away.

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things.

70% Manuscripts processing:

This position primarily handles more complex and/or larger archival and manuscript collections. Collections may require specialized technical expertise, such as processing foreign language materials, an ability to read older forms of English, or working with special formats. Key responsibilities include:

• Surveys, arranges, and/or rehouses original primary source materials as assigned by supervisor. This work ranges from minimally processing collections through detailed and complex processing of archival and manuscript collections, following national best practices and locally developed procedures specific to KSRL's levels of processing.
• Describes collections using national and local best practices, including Describing Archives: A Contents Standard (DACS) and relevant metadata standards, in the collections management tool, ArchivesSpace, to generate online, publicly available finding aids.
• Conducts research online as well as within collection materials and other readily available resources to write biographical and historical notes and other contextual information for finding aids.
• Creates finding aids for undescribed or under-described legacy collections in an online environment.
• Consults with conservation and curatorial staff as appropriate.
• Suggests subject headings and identifies relevant agents to be associated with finding aids and catalog records.
• Creates agent records in ArchivesSpace following national and local metadata standards.

15% Special projects:

Assists with one or more special projects within the Department. Special projects may be long-term or short-term depending on departmental and library priorities at any given time. Also included here are activities that occur on an infrequent basis. This position currently works on the following projects:

• Serves as a resource to other full-time manuscript processors and student assistants in manuscripts processing unit, particularly when Archives & Manuscripts Coordinator is not available.
• Serves as backup for assigning call numbers.
• Tracks conservation supplies used in Spencer processing and coordinates with conservation team in ordering and managing conservation supplies.
• Cleans up standard and complex legacy metadata/EAD finding aids to facilitate better access to manuscript collections housed at KSRL.
• Assists with accessioning new collections and additions into ArchivesSpace as well as tracking accessioning paperwork.

10% Project management

This work requires in-depth knowledge of local and national standards, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to improve and/or re-engineer practices from previous projects to streamline workflows for optimal efficiency.

• Monitors and adjusts workflows in single or multiple complex collection processing projects.
• Frequently resolves and/or proposes solutions to archival processing problems.
• Keeps supervisor and team members informed of progress for each project.
• Supervises and trains student assistants with performing routine tasks as well as manages and tracks student projects.

5% Teamwork and professional development:

Attends and participates in Department meetings and other team building activities. Shares responsibility for the effective functioning of Department meetings and other team building activities. Commits to positive, solution-oriented problem solving.

Applicants should attach a cover letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor) to this online application. Please use your cover letter to address how you meet the required and preferred qualifications. An online application must be completed to be considered for this position.

Application review beings Monday, May 12th. To ensure consideration please apply no later than Sunday, May 11th.

Tonia Morgan
morgt@ku.edu

Minimum salary $38,000, final determination commensurate with experience

Monday May 12, 2025

Monday May 26, 2025