Librarian/Archivist

Archivist/Librarian

Full Time

Union Position

About the Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to a network of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another, the Adler's focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century.

Today, the museum typically hosts more than half a million visitors annually and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, online citizen science, and other outreach efforts. With Adler's support, people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities gain the confidence to explore their universe together and return to their communities ready to think critically and creatively about any challenge that comes their way.

The Position

The Adler Planetarium is seeking an Archivist/Librarian to join our dynamic team on Chicago's Museum Campus. The Adler Planetarium is seeking an Archivist/Librarian to join our dynamic team located on Chicago's Museum Campus. The holder of this post is responsible for the Adler Planetarium's library, the Adler's institutional archives and other archival collections, and leading the use, growth, and promotion of library and archival materials in Adler's public programs, special events, social media, and digital projects. This is a union position with the Adler Planetarium Workers United, AFSCME Council 31.

This individual will also be responsible for:

• Establishing, implementing, and maintaining library procedures and guidelines
• Managing the database of library holdings
• Purchasing and accessioning new acquisitions
• Performing copy and original cataloging of rare and modern books
• Researching and writing finding aids.
• Overseeing conservation work performed by contract conservators. Supervise and coordinate the work of interns and volunteers working on library and archive collections.
• Using the Archives collection to expand understanding of Adler's institutional history.
• Working with Adler's IT team to create and manage digital access management and institutional archives retention policy
• Accessioning, processing, and managing physical and digital archival collections
• Organizing and managing audio/visual archival collection and developing ways to make it publicly and institutionally accessible.
• Working with the Curator & Director of Collections to use the library to expand the understanding of the history of astronomy by participating in scholarly research using the Adler's holdings, and by supporting the work of internal and visiting researchers.
• Arranging, monitoring, and managing research appointments related to archival and rare books collections, and maintaining records of such appointments.
• Overseeing copyright and image reproduction requests.
• Developing, leading, and participating in outreach initiatives using library and archival holdings, such as participating in social media, evening events, and programs on the museum floor.
• Developing and implementing exhibits, both on the museum floor and online through the Adler's Google Arts and Culture page.
• Coordinating the development and distribution of publications.
• Applying for grant funding as needed.

The Work Schedule

The typical work schedule for this position is 35 hours per week, from 9 AM to 4 PM, with a flextime and telecommuting option-2 days a week telecommuting and 3 days on-site at the museum.

The Compensation & Benefits (Full-Time)

Base Pay Range: $52,000 - $60,000/yr

Work-Life Balance

• 35-hour workweek
• Eligible to accrue up to 15 vacation days per year to start
• 3 sick days as of date of hire (can accrue up to 6.5 days per year)
• 7 Adler paid holidays
• 4 Personal Holidays (Prorated for new hires starting after January 1st)
• Flexible Work Arrangements
• Paid Family Bereavement Leave & Jury Duty
• Paid Parental Leave

Competitive Health Coverage

• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance
• Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter flexible spending accounts
• Adler Paid Short-Term Disability insurance

Retirement Savings Plan

• 403B plan with Adler match
• Adler's match is 100% vested immediately
• Eligible to enroll as of the date of hire

Network of Support through our EAP programs

• Resources to help address emotional, legal, and financial issues
• Face-to-face, telephonic, and web-based services
• Free subscription to the Calm Premium app

Employee Loan Program

Discounted Onsite Parking Program

Free Entrance to Chicago area museums and cultural institutions

The Person

The Archivist/Librarian reports to the Curator & Director of Collections and is part of a dynamic team of collections professionals who care for both the physical collections holdings of the Adler and also the records of its institutional history. In particular, the holder of this role will work with the Collections team and other Adler departments to plan and implement a comprehensive institutional archival retention strategy, oversee the care of the rare books collection, and strengthen and expand the Adler's collection. The ideal candidate will be able to communicate effectively, solve problems creatively, and work collaboratively as part of a small team and across the institution on multi-departmental projects. The holder of this position should be comfortable engaging with staff and visitors, and speaking publicly about the Adler's library and archival holdings.

Required Qualifications:

• MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited library school, with a focus on rare books, archives, or special collections.
• Two years' experience as a librarian and/or archivist in a rare book library, archives, or special collection.
• Knowledge of MARC format and Library of Congress Classification System. OCLC knowledge and experience.
• Experience using digital databases to catalog rare books, library, and archival materials.
• Experience digitizing archival collections and creating finding aids and reference guides.
• Awareness of museum, library, and archival content standards, controlled vocabularies, and data structure standards. Awareness of content standards (such as AARC2 or DACS).
• Experience with planning and executing large-scale digitization and digital access projects, including scanning and metadata creation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MLS or MLIS plus coursework in history, art history, museum studies, history of science, or a field related to the library and collections.
• Five years' experience in archives, rare book libraries, and/or special collections
  collections. Expertise in the history of science or the history of astronomy.
• Experience performing historical research with library holdings. Experience implementing established vocabularies (such as LOC Authorities) and data structure standards (such as EAD and MARC). Experience with Axiell collections databases.

The Adler Planetarium is dedicated to complying with its Equal Opportunity Employer obligations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email the Human Resources Department at View email address on click.appcast.io with the nature of your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.