Archivist for Community Collections

Archivist for Community Collections

Job Summary
The Bentley Historical Library seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and service-oriented Archivist for Community Collections to expand the Library's engagement with communities and organizations across the state of Michigan. The position will build and strengthen relationships with collections donors, community groups, and partner institutions to ensure that the historical records of diverse communities are preserved and accessible.

As part of the Bentley's Michigan Historical Collections team, Archivist for Community Collections will serve as the Library's primary point of contact for community-based collecting initiatives. This includes outreach to organizations and individuals, onsite fieldwork to identify and appraise historically significant materials, and stewardship of collections.

This position will serve as a cornerstone of the Bentley's commitment to inclusive collecting and reparative archival practices, facilitating partnerships where the Library is sometimes the steward, and at other times an advisor and collaborator in community-based preservation efforts.

Responsibilities*

• Build relationships with individuals, organizations, and communities across Michigan whose records reflect the state's cultural, social, and political history.
• Travel throughout Michigan to meet with potential donors, assess collections, and guide preservation and transfer.
• Act as liaison with communities traditionally underrepresented in archives, supporting inclusive and equitable collecting practices.
• Collaborate with historical societies, libraries, repositories, and community archives across Michigan to coordinate collecting efforts, develop shared stewardship models, avoid unnecessary duplication, and support holistic preservation.
• Organize and facilitate community-driven events (e.g., History Harvests).
• Collaborate with Curation staff and community partners on reparative description initiatives.
• Raise awareness among source communities of Bentley holdings and research opportunities.

• Identify, appraise, and recommend acquisition of collections with enduring historical significance to Michigan.
• Oversee transfer, accessioning, and initial preservation of archival collections, including both physical and born-digital materials.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of collecting strategies that align with Bentley priorities and statewide needs, with particular emphasis on expanding the representation of under-documented communities in the archives.
• Collaborate with processing archivists and digital curation staff to integrate field-collected materials into Bentley's archival systems.
• Contribute to statewide efforts documenting marginalized histories through shared stewardship and post-custodial models.

• Design and deliver presentations, workshops, and consultations to community partners on archival practices, documentation, and preservation.
• Offer capacity‑building workshops for community groups on archival practices, digital tools, and grant‑seeking strategies.
• Adapt and distribute toolkits (e.g., Archivist in a Backpack) to empower local history keepers.
• Support oral history initiatives and other documentation projects in collaboration with communities.
• Participate in Bentley public programs and exhibitions to highlight new and diverse collections.
• Participate in the reference rotation, including in‑person Saturday shifts throughout the year.

• Participate actively in professional development and service at the library, university, and within regional, national, and international professional organizations.
• Monitor industry developments and best practices to support ongoing activities and foster innovation.

• Engage in presentations, committee work, and library‑wide or university‑wide initiatives.

Required Qualifications*

• Master's degree from an ALA‑accredited institution, in hand or in process, or an advanced related degree, with relevant experience required.
• Demonstrated commitment to…