Archivist

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.

It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.

Reporting to the University Librarian (UL), the Archivist supports the University Archives by providing archival research, reference, and digitization services for the university community, external researchers, alumni and the public. The OCAD University (OCAD U) Library is based on a collaborative staffing model where services and projects are delivered by teams comprised of staff from multiple library units. The Archivist works with the UL in developing policies and procedures, planning digitization projects, and archival research services to meet the university’s information needs and other strategic priorities. The Librarian also participates as a liaison Librarian with specific OCAD U departments or programs. In addition, the incumbent provides reference (chat, email, virtually and in person), library instruction, and archival management and collection development duties, among others.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Create and implement Archives policies and procedures for accessing, acquiring, appraising, arranging, describing, and preserving archival records
• Apply professional standards in the creation of archival finding aids and evaluate online access points for the dissemination of the university’s archival holdings information
• Implementation and management of Archival content management software
• Provide guidance on creating and depositing institutional records to be made accessible by the University Archives as well as disposition consultation for institutional records
• Supervise the archival work of student monitors
• Interact with both internal and external donors as part of the process of identifying and acquiring historical records of research value to the University Archives; appraise potential acquisitions, and make recommendations for new acquisitions and for de-accessioning existing holdings
• Participate in the collection of oral histories as appropriate
• Provide ongoing Archives reference and research services, deliver Archives outreach programming, and engage patrons via the Archives’ web pages and various social media platforms
• Coordinate digital reproduction services in accordance with institutional fair-dealing policies, archival rights management principles, and copyright legislation
• Consult with the University Librarian on operational needs for the University Archives, and assist with identifying revenue streams, research external funding opportunities, writing proposals and preparing grant applications
• Deliver outreach programming, such as class visits, tours, and orientations
• Maintain the web presence and LibGuide for the Archives
• Install displays of library and archives materials
• Maintain professional knowledge through attending professional meetings, conferences and training seminars

Library Liaison Responsibilities

• Participate in the library liaison program: for assigned departments conduct collection development and management of related library materials in all relevant formats (including deselection and preservation decisions)
• Perform library instruction sessions in library spaces, classroom spaces, and/or asynchronously; develop and send regular communications about new services and collections
• Complete ECM and IQAP reports for cyclical reviews and course/ program modifications; develop outreach programs for first year students
• Actively advance the Libraries’ foundational commitment to research education, library instruction, in support of teaching and learning on campus
• Collect and maintain data, metrics, statistics related to the position and duties, recording these monthly on the Library’s shared Excel workbook
• Participate in the weekly service desk schedule, including evening and weekend shifts as required
• Perform other related duties that contribute to the successful operation of Library Services, including providing backup for other library services when required

Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Archival Studies, Information Management, or Library and Information Studies from an ALA- accredited institution
• A minimum of three (3) years of related experience, in a post-secondary academic library, preferred
• Knowledge of historical and contemporary art and design
• Thorough understanding of principles, methods and techniques for managing archival records and institutional records management, including the Rules for Archival Description (RAD)
• Current knowledge of records and document management-related technologies, preservation technologies, and metadata management, in addition to digital imaging and digitization technologies (including Archeion, JSTOR Forum, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom)
• Strong service-orientation and problem-solving skills, including demonstrated creativity and initiative in planning projects, outreach initiatives and services
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional time-management skills, with the ability to manage concurrent projects, while maintaining on-demand reference and research services
• Demonstrated success with writing grant proposals, operational planning, and budgetary management
• An advanced understanding of applying rights management principles, in addition to copyright and privacy legislation
• (e.g. FIPPA, Copyright Act), to the access and use of archives and other informational materials including media assets
• Demonstrated knowledge of preservation of archival materials (photographs, bound materials, video assets, etc.)
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience of rare books handling and condition reporting is an asset
• Experience with library collection development, research education sessions, and/or as a subject liaison, preferred
• Experience working with and training students including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments
• Project Management training or certification, an asset
• Ability to apply institutional and departmental objectives and operational requirements to the development and implementation of suitable policies, procedures, and other initiatives
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity and experience promoting an inclusive work and learning environment

Mode of Work: The incumbent in this role will be expected to report to work on campus. 

Compensation: Hiring Range - $42.96 to $49.16 per hour commensurate with experience, plus 4% vacation pay and 7% in lieu of *benefits; Salary Range - $42.96 to $56.25 per hour.
*The successful incumbent has the option of pay in lieu or enrollment in benefits.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. This is a temporary contract expected to begin June 2, 2025 and continue until January 8, 2027