Project Processing Archivist - Temporary Appointment - Bancroft Library
Position overview
Position title: Associate Librarian, Career Status or Potential Career StatusApplication Window
Open date: February 19, 2026
Next review date: Thursday, Mar 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Friday, Jul 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The University of California, Berkeley, is seeking a Project Processing Archivist for a two-year project, with the possibility of renewal for a third year based on performance and availability of funding, to support the processing of literary collections. Among the collections to be processed are those from a Mellon Foundation-funded project to process and promote archival collections relating to women and poetry at The Bancroft Library. These include the papers of poets Mary Fabili, Aya Tarlow, and Red Jordan Arobateau as well as the records of presses and literary magazines, such as Poetry Flash and the City Lights Books records. The project archivist will also process the analog and born-digital papers of author Amy Tan. The successful candidate employs archival standards, tools, and best practices to provide access to collections containing materials in a range of formats, including audiovisual and digital. The successful candidate also applies effective project management strategies and communicates clearly with project stakeholders.
The Environment
The UC Berkeley Library is an internationally renowned research and teaching facility at the nation's premier public university. A highly diverse and intellectually rich environment, Berkeley serves a campus community of 30,574 undergraduate students, 11,336 graduate students, and 1,525 faculty. The Library comprises 20 campus libraries, including the Doe/Moffitt Libraries, The Bancroft Library, the C.V. Starr East Asian Library, and numerous subject specialty libraries. With a collection of more than 12 million volumes and a collections budget of over $15 million, the Library offers extensive collections in all formats and robust services to connect users with the collections and build their research skills. Discover more about our collections and services at the UC Berkeley Library website.
The Bancroft Library of the University of California, Berkeley, is one of the largest and most heavily used libraries of rare materials in the West. Its holdings include more than 800,000 volumes, 210 million manuscript items, 9 million photographs and other pictorial materials, 86,000 microforms, 9.4 million digital files, and 25,000 maps, as well as numerous other categories of unique material. The two largest collections are the Bancroft Collection of Western and Latin Americana and the Rare Books Collection. The archival and rare book materials of the Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life are also part of the Bancroft holdings. The Bancroft is home to three research groups: the Oral History Center (formerly the Regional Oral History Office), the Mark Twain Papers, and the Center for the Tebtunis Papyri. The Bancroft Library is an active center of teaching and research. Supporting the programs of about 30 campus departments annually, it mounts a regular series of public exhibitions, roundtable lectures, and open houses. For additional information, please visit the Bancroft Library website.
Responsibilities
The Project Processing Archivist will work under the direction of the Head of Archival Processing and in consultation with other technical services staff, curators, public services staff and, potentially, donors and researchers. Duties will include processing approximately 450 linear feet of literary archival collections and related born-digital materials. The Project Processing Archivist will also participate in outreach activities relating to the project as well as regular departmental activities. Responsibilities include:
- Archival processing of analog, born-digital, and hybrid archival collections
- Applying tools used in the special collections and archival communities (e.g., ArchivesSpace, OCLC, Alma, TreeSize, and ePADD)
- Contributing to project management, which might include helping to manage project documentation, supporting meetings, and contributing to problem-solving and analysis.
- Overseeing the work of student library employees as needed
- Consulting and collaborating, as needed, with staff in other Bancroft and UC Berkeley Library units to ensure appropriate processing of varying formats
- Assisting in planning a public research symposium related to the processed collections supported by the Mellon Foundation grant.
- Preparing social media and blog posts and a research guide related to the processed collections.
- Serving a regular weekly two-hour shift on a public services desk
UC Berkeley librarians are expected to participate in library-wide planning and governance, and work effectively in a shared decision-making environment. Advancement is partially based upon professional contributions beyond the primary assignment; the successful candidate will show evidence or promise of such contributions to the Library, campus, UC System, and profession.
The UC Berkeley Library is committed to supporting and encouraging respect and empathy, and nurturing a culture where all employees thrive. The Library seeks candidates who recognize and appreciate one another’s contributions, expertise, and accomplishments, and will strive to provide equitable access to a diverse set of collections and services. For more information, please see the UC Berkeley Library Statement of Values.
UC professional librarians are academic appointees and are represented by an exclusive bargaining agent, the University Council – American Federation of Teachers (UC-AFT). This position is in the bargaining unit.
Librarians are entitled to appropriate professional development leave, vacation leave, sick leave, and all other benefits granted to non-faculty academic personnel. The University has an excellent retirement system and sponsors a variety of group health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans in addition to other benefits.
UC Berkeley Library Website: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/
Bancroft Library Website: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/visit/bancroft
Library Statement of Values: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/library-values
Qualifications
Advanced degree or enrolled in an advanced degree program.
Advanced degree.
- Master’s degree from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited institution program or equivalent international degree;
- One year of experience processing archival materials;
- Formal coursework or training in archival management and theory;
- Knowledge of and/or experience applying efficient archival processing guidelines and procedures;
- Knowledge of and/or experience with processing born-digital archival collections;
- Knowledge of and/or experience with metadata standards like MARC, EAD, and DACS;
- Knowledge of and/or experience using ArchivesSpace, Alma (or other integrated library systems), and other collection information management systems;
- Knowledge of and/or experience with project management;
- Demonstrated analytical, documentation, and communication skills
The Bancroft Library is most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and recognizes that the successful candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet all of the preferred qualifications/experiences listed above.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
- 3-5 required (contact information only)
References will only be contacted for individuals under serious consideration.
Help contact: richard.brown@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment