Preservation Librarian

Overview

Reporting directly to the Chief Curator, the Preservation Librarian is responsible for long‑term care of and access to library, archival, and digital collections for the Delaware Historical Society (DHS). Based in the DHS Research Library and Archives, the Preservation Librarian performs duties related to preservation planning, archival processing, digitization and digital asset management, environmental stability, and collections care.

• Manages DHS Digital Collections platform, including vendor and platform evaluation, digitization and metadata creation, staff training and documentation, communications with vendors on software, hardware, storage and other components
• Establishes metadata schema and controlled vocabularies; exercises quality control of metadata records
• Arranges, describes, and processes archival collections and creates finding aids to assist researchers
• Works with Collections and Access staff to ensure safe housing, storage, and handling of collections
• Provides reference services to DHS Library visitors and researchers 8 hours per week; answers research queries from public and staff, fulfills image and digitization requests
• Liaises with vendors to evaluate and ensure smooth operation of library and archives online catalog/content management systems, including support tickets, upgrades, periodic migrations, and customizations
• Manages environmental monitoring program, including ongoing temperature, humidity, and light monitoring, and data collection
• Works with Director of Buildings and Grounds to oversee integrated pest management program in collections storage areas, including ongoing vendor communication, inspections, monitoring, and data recording
• Develops/updates preservation policies and procedures related to digital preservation, integrated pest management, environmental control, collections handling, etc. to ensure long‑term care of collections
• Works with Chief Curator and Collections and Access staff to attain physical and legal control of donations

• Works with Chief Curator and Director of Education to support archival and digital components of education programming, including locating and digitizing primary sources from DHS collections
• Collaborates with Chief Curator, Collections and Access staff, and Collections Committee to develop and update collections management policies, procedures, and documentation
• Makes appropriate collections‑related updates to disaster and emergency preparedness plan
• Coordinates preservation needs assessments with external vendors
• Assists with library orientation, tours, and programming, contribute to society‑wide initiatives (e.g. DEAI workshops and planning, strategic planning, etc.)
• Assists with curation of temporary exhibits

• Supervises work of graduate assistants and interns working in the research library where appropriate

Email:
Subject Line: DHS Preservation Librarian
Please include résumé, cover letter, and 3 professional references.