The Project Archivist for Architectural Records Digitization is a term-appointed, 1-year project position at the University of Oklahoma Libraries that will focus on preparing architectural records of significant cultural, historical, and research value to be digitized and made openly accessible online via OU Libraries’ digital collections repository. The Project Archivist’s work will focus specifically on archival collections in the American School Archive at OU Libraries, an archival collecting area that documents the imaginative school of architectural design and practice that developed under the guidance of pioneering architects Bruce Goff, Herb Greene, and others at the University of Oklahoma in the 1950s and 1960s.

Based on established criteria and priorities, the Project Archivist will make informed selections of archival collection items from fully processed collections to be digitized and published online, documenting these decisions in project spreadsheets. Following established metadata content standards and structural standards, the Project Archivist will expand upon existing metadata to create item-level description for the selected materials. The Project Archivist will then collaborate with the Libraries’ Digitization Lab to arrange for the digital imaging of collection items and will participate in physical scanning of documents as necessary.

The Project Archivist will work with archival materials including physical architectural drawings, print publications, paper records, and photographic prints, negatives, and slides. The position will serve as a member of the Special Research Collections team in OU Libraries and will work in close collaboration with colleagues and subject experts to inform their work.

Target Start Date: October 1, 2025
Target End Date: October 1, 2026

Job Responsibilities:

• Identifies, documents, and prepares architectural archival materials for digitization based on established criteria for assessing cultural, historical, and research value, producing spreadsheets detailing selection decisions.

• Creates descriptive, administrative, and structural metadata at the item level for archival materials to be digitized in accordance with established library standards and controlled vocabulary specific to architecture and design.

• Coordinates the logistics of transferring archival collection materials from storage and work areas to on site Digitization Lab, ensuring safe handling of collection assets.
• Collaborates with Digitization Lab to ensure clarity of digitization selection decisions and workflows and performs digital imaging processes as needed.
• Develops knowledge related to architecture and design terminology, the history of 20th century American architecture, and the history of the American School movement to inform the production of accurate, detailed item-level metadata.
• Collects, compiles, and delivers information and data for statistical and narrative reports as necessary to document progress on digitization preparation.
• Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Applicants must attach the following documents in pdf format:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of 3 Professional References

Hire will be contingent on submission of academic transcripts.