Job Title: Head Librarian and Archivist (FTE)
Organisation: The W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (AIAR)
Location: Salah ad-Din St 26, East Jerusalem
Application deadline: January 26, 2025
About the AIAR:
The W. F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (AIAR) is a U.S. 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research into all aspects of cultural development in the southern Levant, from prehistory to the Early Modern period. The AIAR promotes these multidisciplinary goals by facilitating archaeological excavation and historical research, offering doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships, and engaging students and the public through lecture and research programs. The AIAR is committed to fostering diversity within its scholarly community and outreach efforts.
The Albright Library’s Richard J. Scheuer Collection is the heart of the Institute and one of the region’s best collections for the archaeology and history of the ancient Levant. The library serves the needs of Albright fellows as well as students and scholars from other foreign institutes in Jerusalem and from local Israeli and Palestinian academic communities.
Job Description:
The AIAR seeks a highly organized and detail-oriented professional to serve as Head Librarian and Archivist. Reporting to the Director, the Head Librarian will be responsible for managing and maintaining the Institute’s 125-year-old collection, which includes approximately 20,000 items, digital resources, Institute archives, and artifact collections. The Head Librarian will oversee daily library operations, guide the development and upkeep of the collection, provide leadership to library staff and interns, and foster relationships with other libraries in Jerusalem. The ideal candidate will have expertise in library sciences, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to creating a user-friendly research environment. Key responsibilities include:
Collection development and maintenance
- Select and acquire books, journals, and other resources according to the library’s collection development policy.
- Organize, classify, and catalogue materials to ensure easy access for all users.
- Track acquisitions, expenses, and journal subscriptions, including managing a periodical exchange program (approximately 160 titles).
User and reference services
- Provide reference and advisory services to library users.
- Supervise shelving, shelf reading, and collection organization to ensure optimal access.
Staff and intern management
- Train and supervise library staff, including one cataloguing librarian and multiple interns.
- Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment.
Digital resources and systems
- Evaluate and update the integrated library system.
- Manage access to electronic and digital resources and maintain the public-facing catalogue.
Preservation and facilities management
- Monitor and maintain the physical condition of library materials and the space, including temperature and humidity regulation.
- Implement storage procedures and coordinate professional restoration for special/rare collections.
- Oversee binding services and evaluate ongoing preservation needs.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have experience working in an academic or research library setting and possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Candidates eligible to work in Israel without a visa are especially encouraged to apply.
Essential Criteria:
- Proven experience in library management, including cataloguing, classification, and archival preservation.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in managing library systems and digital resources.
Desirable Criteria:
- Master’s degree in library and information science or a related field.
- Knowledge of rare book preservation techniques.
- Familiarity with periodical management and international acquisitions.
Salary and Conditions:
This is a full-time (100%) position for five days per week from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications, in compliance with local labor laws. The position is subject to a six-month trial period.
How to apply:
Applicants should email the following documents as a single pdf to AIAR Director James Fraser at jamesfraser@aiar.org by January 26, 2025:
- A cover letter.
- A personal statement addressing the Essential and Desirable Criteria.
- A full CV.
- Contact information for three referees.
For more information on the Albright Institute, its Library and its programs, please visit our website. For more information about the position, please email the Director.
Hiring is subject to the AIAR’s hiring procedures. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed, and the successful candidate will enter into an employment agreement with the AIAR. The AIAR applies diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles in recruitment to ensure accessibility for all. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, knowing this strengthens our mission. Candidates are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. By valuing individual differences and removing barriers, we aim to create an equitable process and a dynamic team advancing archaeological research excellence.
