Assistant Archivist: Walter & Leonore Annenberg Research Center Two- Term Position

The Brandywine Museum of Art’s Walter & Leonore Annenberg Research Center is seeking a full-time, fixed-term Assistant Archivist to work closely with the Manager of Library, Archives, and Special Collections, processing archives by helping to improve intellectual and physical access to materials. This Assistant will prioritize surveying, processing, and reprocessing of backlog in Special Collections to professional standards as well as writing finding aids and publishing them online to Brandywine’s Archives Space database.

The Assistant will also help the Manager with processing, evaluating, and inventorying a recent large donation to the Research Center of N.C. Wyeth-related materials, currently housed in offsite storage. This collection primarily contains books, as well as other archival materials and artifacts. The Assistant will help the Manager with related collection management tasks surrounding this donation.

The Assistant will also work on digitization projects as assigned, whether this is on demand for researcher needs, or for preservation of priority collections, such as the N.C. Wyeth Correspondence Collection of Betsy James Wyeth.

Finally, this position will also provide reference and research assistance to the Manager, supporting in-person and remote researchers, as well as image rights requests.

• Surveying, processing, and reprocessing archival backlog in Special Collections to professional standards.
• Performs basic preservation tasks (removing staples and paperclips, rehousing materials to appropriate enclosures, implementing conservation measures if necessary)
• Writing and publishing finding aids to Archives Space
• Assisting with processing and collection management of a major donation of special collections materials pertaining to N.C. Wyeth
• Assisting with digitizing archival materials to professional standards
• Assisting with Research Center reference inquiries and patrons as needed
• Performs other duties, special projects, and cross-departmental assignments as assigned that are related to the position's purpose, level of responsibility, skills, and Brandywine's operational needs.

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science with a focus on archival studies strongly preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-2 years of related archival processing experience
• Sensitivity to proper care and handling of archives and special collections; knowledge of best preservation practices
• Experience working with Archives Space.
• Experience digitizing and scanning archival materials.
• Ability to assist patrons with inquiries, reference, and research appointments.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Strong research skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills for working with all Museum staff, volunteers, interns, and researchers from the public.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong time management skills
• Reliable transportation to and from the Museum

• A background or undergraduate study in art history, studio art, or another field related to the Museum’s collections.
• Knowledge of best practices in terms of image rights and reproduction of archival materials
• Strong customer service outlook
• Experience copy-cataloging books and other library materials.

• Sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform physical activities including standing, walking, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling archival materials. Working in a collection’s storage space with…