Brown University

Job Description:

The Indigenous Collections Project Archivist position is a project-based, two-year position at the John Hay Library focused on processing, describing and making accessible two discrete archival collections: the Spiderwoman Theatre collection and the Tall Oak Weeden papers.

• Founded in 1976, Spiderwoman Theatre has long championed the voices of Indigenous women and two-spirit storytellers and artists. The collection includes organizational records, publications, recordings, costumes, writings and other materials generated by the longest-operating Native-run theater company in the United States. It is an anchor collection for the Hay’s Performance and Entertainment Strategic Collecting Direction.
• Tall Oak Weeden was descended from three tribes whose homelands are occupied by or are regionally adjacent to Brown’s campus(es): Narragansett, Eastern Pequot, and Wampanoag. Tall Oak was an artist, activist and historian who dedicated his life to the education and advocacy of Indigenous rights. He was active in the American Indian Movement during the 1960s-1970s, which included participating in the occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in 1972, and was a founding member of the group that established the National Day of Mourning in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Tall Oak Weeden collection is a landmark addition to the Ideology and Power Strategic Collecting Direction.

Reporting to the Head, Collection Services and Metadata, the Indigenous Collections Project Archivist arranges, describes, and catalogs archival and manuscript collections that highlight Native and Indigenous history and creative expression at Brown University. The work is done in a user-centered, access-driven, and remediation-focused approach to processing archival collections. The position will contribute to correcting and dismantling the systems, vocabulary, and policies that perpetuate institutionalized legacies of historic racism and discrimination in the archival record. To support this work, the Indigenous Collections Project Archivist will train and mentor student assistants to perform entry-level tasks. Their cataloging work will also be informed by direct user interaction through regular service at library service points.

About the Library:

The John Hay Library is home to Brown University’s remarkable collections of rare books, manuscripts, and archival material. The Hay and its collections attract an international cohort of researchers, and as a Carnegie Library, the Hay is committed to investing in community and public engagement. To ensure that its collections are carefully stewarded for long-term access and use by any visitor, the John Hay Library Collection Policy outlines six strategic collecting directions and core guiding principles for collecting. The Hay’s mission is to collect and preserve rare and unique materials that promote interdisciplinary research, teaching, and learning and inspire experimentation and creativity. Its collections support free and open inquiry, and we are committed to providing equitable access to our collections, exhibitions, and programming to a global community of students, scholars, and the public.

The Brown University Library is a dynamic center of scholarship and community at the heart of a world-class research university. Supporting and collaborating with a broad and diverse academic constituency, the Library is essential for Brown’s mission “to serve the community, the nation, and the world by discovering, communicating, and preserving knowledge and understanding in a spirit of free inquiry.” Integrating with Brown’s ambitious strategic plans, the Library is a site of innovation that fuels intellectual creativity. Signature Library initiatives include the establishment of the Center for Library Exploration and Research to increase campus and community impact; the Racial Justice Project to assess and counteract the legacies of historical racism in library practice; the Digital Publications Initiative pioneering new approaches to born-digital scholarship; and a revisioned special collections program that is positioning the John Hay Library as a research destination and leader in harmful description remediation and community-based collecting. We are seeking outstanding library professionals at all levels of the organization who are excited about advancing academic excellence at the highest level, and who will bring a wide array of backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to a scholarly community that is actively committed to being more diverse and inclusive.

Education and Experience

• ALA-accredited master’s degree in library or information science, or an equivalent combination of

education and experience.

• 1 year of experience in an academic library, public library, school library or other cultural heritage

setting, or educational institution in an archival cataloging role.

• Experience or academic training in one or more of the following: Native American & Indigenous

Studies, Black Studies (or equivalent), Gender & Sexuality, or other related fields.

• Experience providing public access to original cultural heritage resources through cataloging,

reference, research or teaching.

• Familiarity with library or museum cataloging standards such as DACS, CCO, MARC, AACR2, or RDA.
• Demonstrated planning, decision making, and problem-solving skills with superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to research historical subjects, remain abreast of research and academic

trends, and learn and apply evolving professional descriptive standards.

• Excellent organizational, time, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a diverse, dynamic, team setting and to balance

multiple competing priorities.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion at every level of the University.

This is a 24 month internally funded term-limited position. This position is hybrid eligible with 1 day of remote work and 4 days of onsite work.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown University.

Best consideration date: 7/7/2025

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here.

Recruiting Start Date:

2025-05-21

Job Posting Title:

Indigenous Collections Project Archivist

Department:

University Library

Grade:

Grade 10

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid Eligible

Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion:

All positions require demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and other Brown and community stakeholders with diverse perspectives and demonstrated ability to contribute to an inclusive environment.

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact employment@brown.edu.

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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