Research Archivist, Oral History of American Music (OHAM)

The University and the Library
One of the world's leading research libraries, Yale University Library is a full partner in teaching, research, and learning at Yale and is visited by scholars from around the world.  A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including approximately thirteen million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases.  The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to its physical and digital collections.  Housed in twenty-two buildings including the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the new Bass Library, it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of nearly six-hundred who offer innovative and flexible services to library readers.  To learn more about Yale University Library and its collections and services, visit http://www.library.yale.edu/.
 
General Purpose
Under the direction of the Director and Associate Director of Oral History of American Music (OHAM), the Research Archivist shares responsibility for the day-to-day operation of OHAM and the supervision of its staff, with particular focus on providing public services and access to the collections.
 
Oral History of American Music (OHAM), recently incorporated into the Yale University Library, is the preeminent ongoing oral history project in the field of American music. In operation for almost forty years, the archive is recognized for collecting and preserving recorded memoirs in the voices of those who make our music history. Major composers of the 20th century are represented, among them Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, Roger Sessions, Elliott Carter, William Schuman, Ned Rorem, John Cage, George Perle, and Lou Harrison. Interviews with many younger composers are included and are updated periodically. OHAM makes its holdings widely available to the scholarly community by providing onsite research, reference services, publications, and public programming. The result is that numerous books, articles, and television and radio documentaries have been derived from materials in the OHAM collections.

Provides high-level reference assistance to the OHAM collection, both to researchers in person, and through e-mail, telephone, and regular mail.  Implements priority projects for OHAM, including the creation of original item-level and collection-level cataloging of OHAM’s collections of recorded interviews, the transcription of OHAM interviews and editing new transcriptions, and archival processing of new materials into the OHAM collections, with the writing of new finding aids as appropriate.  Serves as a full participant in OHAM’s planning activities, including innovation in areas of access, digital collections, and reference/public services. May also take part in planning exhibits and public programs, and may help with collection development.  Works collaboratively with staff in the Music Library, the Historical Sound Recordings Collection, and other special collections repositories in the Yale University Library.  Expected to be active professionally both within and outside the Yale University Library community. May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts.  May be assigned to work at the West Campus of Yale University located in West Haven, CT.  

Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program for library and information science and/or Master’s degree in music. Demonstrated evidence of planning ability, leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to develop proposals for improving OHAM’s services and procedures. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with researchers, faculty, staff, and students in a complex and changing environment. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Strong service orientation. Demonstrated supervisory skills. Preferred: Familiarity with standard archival procedures; familiarity with MARC and Voyager. Appointment to the rank of Librarian 2 requires two years of relevant professional experience and demonstrated professional accomplishments appropriate to the rank.

Librarian 1-2

Work Schedule:
Part Time, 20 hours per week, Monday - Friday, between the hours of 8:30-5:00.  Afternoons preferred; some flexibility during standard work week.
 
Fixed Duration Position:
1 Year from Date of Hire with possible continuation.

Applications consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names of three references should be sent by creating an account and applying online at http://www.yale.edu/hronline/stars/application/.

Please be sure to include Source Code: #7526BR.

Background Check Requirements
All external candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment screening. All offers are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  Yale values diversity in its faculty, staff, and students and strongly encourages applications from women and members of underrepresented minority groups.