Houston Academy of Medicine - Texas Medical Center Library
Part-time Archivist
The Texas Medical Center (TMC) Library is a major research library serving Texas Medical
Center researchers, clinicians and students, including two major medical schools and over 20
member institutions. The Library is also the Regional Medical Library for the National
Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region, with responsibility for providing
health information to health professionals and consumers in the five state region of
Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The TMC Library seeks a part-time archivist. This individual will be responsible for
processing and maintaining archival manuscript collections and provide reference support
and service to Library clients and assist other functions within the Library.
Duties:
 Use best archives practice at work
 Initiate contacts with members of the Houston community to obtain collections or
individual items of historical significance
 Review condition of new archival materials and performs the initial survey of
collections prior to cleaning and re-housing
 Organize, arrange and describe collections according to generally accepted
professional standards
 Create printed and online finding guides for processed collections
 Maintain collections according to their provenance and maintain the inventories of the
collections
 Provide guidance to the Archive Assistant, clerical assistants, and volunteers
 Perform searches for manuscripts, serials, and other historical information
 Prepare exhibits and provides information/materials from the collections for special
events
 Communicate with individuals and organizations to publicize the Library’s historical
resources
 Seek funding for special events, historical collections, and the support of the McGovern
Historical Collections and Research Center
 Answer reference questions and assists clients with their research
 Collaborate with members of other departments to ensure client needs are met
 Assist the archivist to manage all aspects of the HRC physical facility assuring the
physical environment is secure and clean
General Responsibilities:
 Provide assistance and support to librarians and staff when needed
 Collaborate with others to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and commitment
 Establish and maintains an environment that encourages teamwork, interdependence,
and customer service
 Continually increase technical competency of self and others through education and
research within their field
 Answers phone, ascertains nature of call, and directs call to appropriate staff member
 Collaborates with members of other departments to ensure client needs are met
 Provides assistance and support to librarians and staff when needed
 Completes all activities towards the fulfillment of the Library mission and strategic
objectives
 Identifies ways to more effectively provide healthcare information to clients
 Collaborates with others to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and commitment
Archival responsibilities include the following:
 Capable of maintaining, managing and supervising the HRC when the Archivist is absent
 Understands and has experience with the seven domains of archiving and implements
those domains while working at the archives:
1. selection, appraisal, and acquisition;
2. arrangement and description;
3. reference services and access;
4. preservation and protection;
5. outreach, advocacy, and promotion;
6. managing archival programs;
7. professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities.
 Understands the general principles about handling and working with rare books and
ephemera
 Has knowledge of cataloging systems, such as Library of Congress and the National
Library of Medicine
 Maintains collections inventory
 Gathers information and materials from archives for special events and exhibits;
creates displays
 Contributes to a blog about the McGovern Historical Research Center by writing and
through research
 Continues to improve archival skills through professional-related classes, workshops
and conferences
 Participates where possible in professional archival organizations, such Archivists of
the Houston Area, Society of Southwest Archivists, and Society of American Archivists
or archival-related organizations
 Conducts reference interviews to help patrons
 Assists patrons who visit on-site or contact the McGovern Center by phone or email
 Assists with copying and scanning to fulfill patron requests or to help the archivist.
 Has a working knowledge of basic office software as well as specialized digital skills,
including working with XML-based EAD, scanning software, and Photoshop, Photoshop
Elements, or equivalent software
Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities):
Skills/Qualifications - Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office suite. Familiarity
with the standards, Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) and Encoded Archival
Description (EAD). Familiarity or proficiency with archive management systems, such as
Archon, Archivist Toolkit or the new ArchivesSpace is a plus. Awareness of best archival
practices is essential, including knowledge of digital archival practices, such as preservation,
metadata and digitization. Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills. The
applicant should have the ability to work with minimal supervision, supervise staff and
volunteers, work closely with patrons and donors, and achieve mutually agreed upon goals.
Education and Experience - Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-Accredited
program with some classes in archival science or an archival track; or an equivalent master’s
degree in archival studies or related field. Some experience in an archival setting required.
Favorable consideration will be given to candidates with an Archivist Certification through
the Academy of Certified Archivists.
Working Conditions:
Usual Environment - Normal working schedule indoors and in office
environment. Occasional travel may be required. May need to work irregular hours to meet
deadlines and/or special assignments.
Physical Requirements - Normal physical demands; occasional bending and stooping;
occasional lifting of boxes of paper and files.
The TMC Library is an equal opportunity employer, providing access to employment
without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation,
veteran’s status, political affiliation, or disability.
Salary range: $18.00 - $23.00 per hour
Email or fax cover letter and resume to:
Rosalind Bob
Email: rosalind.bob@exch.library.tmc.edu
Fax: 713.799.7816