Job Description

Position Number: STMP15

Department: Library (Adm)

Employment Type: Temporary - Full-time

Months Per Year: 3

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Special Collections and University Archives unit of Atkins Library works to preserve and share the history and culture of UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte region. The objectives of this project are to assist the Second Ward Alumni House, a local long-standing community archive, with their collection of materials relating to Second Ward High School, Charlotte's first public high school for Black students. Second Ward was a predominantly Black neighborhood in Charlotte, close to the uptown area. In the 1960s and 1970s, a large portion of this neighborhood was razed due to urban renewal. Second Ward High School was torn down in 1969, but the gymnasium still stands. The collection, located in the Second Ward Alumni Association House, consists of photographs, manuscript materials, and oversized objects. This project will provide the Community Archives Fellow an opportunity to understand how to support individuals and organizations with their records.

This fellowship offers MLIS students interested in archives, specifically community archives, the hands-on experience collaborating with a community partner, assessing a collection, and creating an inventory. They will learn community engagement best practices and gain experience working with organizations outside of academia. Part of the fellowship experience will take place off-site at the Alumni Association House and the remaining days will be spent at the Atkins Library working alongside the library faculty and staff of Special Collections and University Archives. The end product of this fellowship will be an inventory of their findings in the archive, along with recommendations for the Second Ward Alumni House to continue the work in the future. Applications are welcome from those interested in gaining and/or expanding their experience with inventorying and assessing a collection and learning more about how archives engage with local communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Read about the history of Second Ward, the Historic Brooklyn neighborhood, and Second Ward High School
• Meet with Second Ward Alumni to discuss their priorities for preservation and display of the archives
• Assess Second Ward Alumni House materials
• Create an inventory, identifying materials with exhibit potential or preservation concerns, and rehousing selected materials
• Discuss findings bi-weekly with Second Ward Alumni board members
• Create a preliminary inventory and assessment report for Second Ward alumni to continue with preserving their records in anticipation of the renovation of their space and the creation of exhibits

Minimum Experience / Education:

Applicants must have completed 24 credits (or two full semesters of work) toward a Master's in Library and Information Science from an ALA -accredited program

Preferred Education Skills and Experience:

* Completion of 24 credits (or two full semesters of work) toward a Master's in Library and Information Science from an ALA -accredited program

• Coursework pertaining to community archives and standard archival practice
• An interest in and/or experience working in outreach and community engagement
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Self-directed and ability to work independently
• A natural curiosity and comfortable working with different kinds of people

About The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina's urban research institution. Our campus is located in the piedmont of North Carolina, just two hours from the mountains and three hours from the Atlantic Ocean. A large public university with a small college feel, more than 27,200 students consider UNC Charlotte’s 1,000-acre campus their home away from home.

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