Job Description

The McLean County Museum of History (MCMH) is seeking an archivist with a background in digital preservation, historical research, and public history. The Museum of History is an award-winning and AAM accredited organization with a mission to preserve, educate, and collaborate in sharing the diverse stories of the community/McLean County. The archivist oversees the implementation of the Museum’s digital preservation plan, manages and cares for the archival collection, ensures its storage and preservation, organizes the accession and deaccession of archival content, and collaborates with other MCMH staff in program development, research, public history programming, and access.

Representative List of Job Duties 

• Support the mission of the McLean County Museum of History by processing and making available the archival collections of the Museum according to current national archiving standards;

• Evaluate and implement an archival processing plan that prioritizes backlogs, archival digitization needs, and records maintenance, including overseeing a grant funded project to digitize the Pantagraph Negatives Collection;

• In collaboration with Museum staff and external IT support, this role will develop, implement, and provide ongoing oversite of a digital preservation policy;

• Assist the librarian in acquiring new archival collections to expand and improve current inventories, including digital access, to ensure equitable representation of community diversity;

• Assist the librarian in managing the daily operation of the library/archives by responding to research inquiries, training and supervising volunteers and interns, and orienting Museum visitors to the space;

• Support Museum staff in developing public history programming that utilizes archival resources, including training and support on digital assets and content management

• Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate interns from regional higher education institutions;

• Collaborate with professional and community groups related to the preservation, education, and dissemination of McLean County history;

• Research and write articles for the Museum in blogposts, the local newspaper, and Museum publications;

• In partnership with Development and the Executive Director, seek out and apply for grants that will support the development of archival resources and digital access;

• Work some evenings and Saturdays (rotating schedule), and occasional coverage in the Visitors Center.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree and/or significant experience in archival or museum work, MLIS or similar degree in archival studies, public history, history, or museum studies preferred
• Knowledge of current issues and trends regarding digital archives, digitization, and digital scholarship
  Experience building and managing digital archives, including developing workflows for processing born-digital materials
• Demonstrated experience applying archival standards and vocabularies, including EAD, DACS, and LCSH
• Ability to stay current with privacy, confidentiality, copyright, and use policies associated with archival content
• Strong computer skills: Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel); experience with museum collections management databases and software
• Knowledge of standard archival theory and practice, preservation concepts, principles, and methodologies, local research tools, and finding aids
• Knowledge of workflows for preservation and digitization
• Demonstrated ability and interest in engaging with individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives
• Strong communication skills to engage with both internal staff and external community members

Please email a letter of interest, a resume or CV, and contact information for three references. Letters should be directed to Julie Emig, Executive Director. The email address is director@mchistory.org. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025.

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