Reference and Instruction Archivist (Tenure Track position) - 888134
- Cowles Library
- Faculty, tenure track
Title: Reference and Instruction Archivist (Tenure Track position) - 888134
Position Number: 888134
Unit/Department: Cowles Library
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Department Summary:
Cowles Library is the largest private academic library in Iowa. Our purpose is to support the educational goals of Drake University by providing services, collections, technology, and learning opportunities that make it possible for faculty and students to successfully access and use information.
https://library.drake.edu/
Job Summary:
Cowles Library seeks a dedicated archivist to join our Archives & Special Collections unit within the library, combining hands-on archival work with significant teaching and liaison responsibilities. This is a tenure track position with the rank of Assistant Professor of Librarianship. This role centers on the processing, preservation, and access of unique primary sources while also serving as a subject liaison with collection development and instructional duties. The successful candidate will spend considerable time engaged in core archival functions – surveying and appraising incoming collections, conducting accessioning activities, arranging and describing materials, and implementing finding aids. Equally important are the teaching and liaison responsibilities, including developing and teaching courses, providing information literacy instruction, managing library collections in assigned subject areas, and serving as the primary connection between the library and academic departments.
Minimum Qualifications:
• ALA-accredited master’s degree in Library and Information Science or equivalent education and relevant library experience
• Experience or extensive coursework in archival processing, description, and preservation
• Experience with ArchivesSpace or other archival management software
• Fluency with relevant standards for archival description, including DACS, EAD, Dublin Core
• Experience teaching a class, giving presentations, or leading tours
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both written and oral)
• Ability to work independently, and creatively, collaboratively, and effectively as a team member
• Demonstrated strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education
Preferred Qualifications:
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in an organization that is evolving, team-oriented, and focused on service enhancements and outcomes.
• Knowledge of current issues and trends in your liaison areas and functional duties.
• Knowledge of trends in higher education, scholarly communication, curricular development, and information literacy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as collegially, collaboratively, and effectively as a team member.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in higher education.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of current best practices in information literacy instruction.
• Communicates positively and effectively with unit colleagues, as well as with university contacts, in maintaining a focused, customer service orientation.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
For consideration, you must apply online. Please include a CV and cover letter.
Review of Applications Begins:
Salary and Benefits:
At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2025. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition BenefitsFor faculty positions, selection will depend on the receipt of recommendation confirming the candidate's scholarly achievements and teaching abilities and/or on the candidate's satisfactory passing of a teaching demonstration if selected for an on-campus interview. For staff positions, selection will depend upon careful review of each applicant’s references, education, and, if applicable, experience.
About Drake:
Drake University is recognized as a top private university in the Midwest. Drake is a midsize university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an increasingly diverse student body. We are deeply committed to equity and inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for all members of the campus community—faculty, staff, and students alike. More than 900 faculty and staff are part of the Bulldog pack, a close-knit group of colleagues enthusiastic about preparing students to be global citizens and leaders, challenging assumptions. Drake University is not only an outstanding institution of higher learning, it is also a wonderful place to work. We are enthusiastically committed to welcoming new ideas and people into the fold, and to retaining and rewarding stellar employees.
All positions at Drake provide opportunities to contribute to Drake University’s core mission of creating an exceptional learning environment that prepares students of all backgrounds for meaningful lives and professional accomplishments.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at Drake:
At Drake University, we don’t just accept differences—we celebrate them, we support them, and we thrive on them for the benefit of our students, our employees, and our community. Drake University is proud to support an equal opportunity, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. In fact, the celebration of diversity and inclusion are embedded in our Core Values. Learn more about our DEI commitment and efforts here.
We welcome applicants of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. If you are a member of a socially or historically underrepresented or marginalized group or you have actively demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we strongly encourage you to apply. If you are a member of one of the equity groups identified by applicable law, we encourage you to self-identify, where requested in our online application system.
Drake University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point in the recruitment process (including using our online application process), please contact Drake Human Resources (ph: 515.271.3133; e: jobs@drake.edu) and let us know how we can assist you.
At Drake University, we highly value a diverse, inclusive workforce. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We stand firmly against discrimination including on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.
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