Archives Assistant Position at Society of the Divine Word



Thanks to CARA member Andrew Rea for sharing this job opportunity, which you can also find posted at RAILS.

Archives Assistant, Society of the Divine Word, Chicago Province
Full-time position, hourly (37.5 hours per week); Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Society of the Divine Word, a Catholic religious non-profit organization with worldwide missionary activities seeks a dynamic, highly motivated individual for the position of Archives Assistant. This position reports to the Provincial Archivist and works with a wide range of material types in order to preserve and support the history, heritage, spirit, and charism of the organization.

The Archives Assistant will:
  • assist with the arrangement and description of archival and digital collections and the creation of collection inventories and finding aids.
  • assist in implementing digitization projects, determining applicable metadata, and manipulating digital files.
  • assist in implementing departmental processing priorities.
  • assist archives patrons remotely and in-person.
  • page, shelve, and create reproductions of archival material.
  • recognize and respect Roman Catholic traditions and terminology.
The ideal candidate will possess:
  • a BA/BS degree in a relevant discipline
  • experience working in an archives, library, or museum setting.
  • excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
  • the ability to multitask and work independently.
  • proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with archival management software is preferred.
  • the ability to sit for extended periods of time, perform intensive keyboarding, and lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
This is a full-time position with excellent medical and retirement benefits.

Located in the Northbrook / Glenview, IL area (not convenient to public transportation).

Send resume to:
Thomas R. Artz
Director of Human Resources
Society of the Divine Word
1985 Waukegan Road
Post Office Box 6038
Techny, IL 60082
hr@uscsvd.org

CARA Meeting at First United Methodist Church, Evanston

First United Methodist Church, Evanston. Photo by Jerice Barrios.
On Thursday, November 15, thirteen CARA members gathered at the First United Methodist Church in Evanston for their 2018 Fall Meeting. They were greeted at the door by members of the church's archives committee, including Patty Baker, Cate Whitcomb, and Janet Lutz, who then took the group on a tour of the church's interior.

CARA members toured the interior of First United Methodist Church.
Photo by Audra Adomenas.

Founded in 1854 as the first church in Evanston, the Methodist congregation went through several locations before finally settling in their present home at 516 Church Street. The current church was designed by architect and congregation member Thomas E. Tallmadge and dedicated in 1911.

Stained glass windows were installed in 1930 during a remodel of the church.
Photo by Merle Branner.
Church archives commitee member Cate Whitcomb points to the Reredos and
Chancel of the Church. Photo by Doris Cardenas.
After the church tour, CARA members were led to the archives on the third floor, where documents and artifacts dating back to 1854 are housed.

Archives of the First United Methodist Church.
Photo by Doris Cardenas.
As is the case with many religious archives, the First United Methodist Church contends with limited space and resources. Although all of the archives staff are volunteers, they are dedicated to creating an archives that meets professional standards. One major ongoing project is the digitization of the sermons of noted social justice activist Pastor Ernest Fremont Tittle.
Archives committee member Patty Baker holds one of the oldest items in the archives, a
ledger book that dates back to 1854. Photo by Jerice Barrios.
Patty Baker and Cate Whitcomb shared some of the highlights of their collection: a ledger dating back to the foundation of the congregation, the church's 50-year anniversary book, and a scrapbook of letters and drawings from a German orphanage the church supported after World War II.
Archives committee member Cate Whitcomb holds a scrapbook containing this
artwork from German children in post-World War II Berlin, thanking the church
for sending food and treats. Photo by Jerice Barrios.
After thanking the archives committee for the tour and the sharing of their archives, the CARA members held a business meeting where they discussed the banking situation of the organization. As a result of the meeting, Steering Committee member Doris Cardenas was appointed Treasurer and will look into acquiring a new bank account for CARA's funds.

Many thanks to the archives committee of First United Methodist Church for hosting CARA, and thanks as well to all the attendees for making this another great meeting!

Two Religious Archives Job Opportunities



The Dominicans of Springfield, IL are looking for a full-time person to fill a position that combines work in the Archives and the Heritage Room.The position in the Archives will include, but not be limited to, processing of document collections compliant with the finding aid used in the Archives; will provide reference services and research assistance to users, both in-house users and from outside researchers; will participate in all archival services, focusing on digitizing the photograph collection. 

As Curator of the Heritage Room responsibilities will include developing original content for exhibitions and programs. To be considered, a person must have at least a Bachelor's Degree and experience in working in an Archives would be an advantage. Please submit a letter advising Sr. Julia Theobald of your interest in this position and the process will go from there.

Sr. Julia Theobald
Archivist
Dominican Sisters
1237 W. Monroe
Springfield, IL 62704
sjuliaop@spdom.org
217-787-0481 x6111


Trinity International University / Rolfing Library is seeking a part-time Technical Services Assistant-Preservation Specialist.

The Technical Services Assistant – Preservation Specialist performs the important tasks of digitizing, organizing, cataloging and otherwise preserving resources that the Rolfing Library acquires. Duties also include taking part in broader projects which require familiarity with principles and practices in acquisitions, cataloging, and/or social media. This position reports to the Collection Management Librarian.

Responsibilities:

● Digitization of library collections, including scanning and cataloging of resources
● Creation of finding guides for library collections
● Maintain media collections through regular cleaning and repair
● Contribute to social media through provision of ideas and/or content creation
● Repair books as needed
● Participate in other library projects as assigned

Partial List of Qualifications:

● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on projects
● Possess a keen attention to detail and adept problem solving skills
● Willingness and ability to carefully preserve the history of the university
● Previous archives or library experience strongly preferred
● Physical ability to sit for extended periods of time, safely reach materials on shelves, lift boxes up to 40 lbs, and push carts loaded with up to 100 lbs. of material.
● Supports Trinity's mission and core values, commitment to a Christian lifestyle, and character in keeping with biblical models.

To apply, please visit the Trinity International University Job Board.

November 2018 Newberry Library Religion and Culture in the Americas Seminar


The next Newberry Library Religion and Culture in the Americas Seminar will be held on Friday, November 9, 2018.

Friday, November 9, 2018 / 3:00pm to 5:00pm / Room B-82
The Newberry Library / 60 West Walton Street / Chicago IL 60610


“To Pray for Ourselves”: Women in Christian Indian Communities in Mexico and the United States, 1750 - 1870

Jessica L. Criales, Rutgers University

In the mid-eighteenth century, indigenous peoples across the Americas developed a new strategy in response to colonialism: the creation of self-governed “Christian Indian” communities. Women were essential members of these communities, shaping the ethnic and religious boundaries of the group, working to ensure communal financial stability, and holding leadership positions. This paper compares and contrasts native women’s actions in places like Oaxaca, Mexico City, Brothertown, and Stockbridge in order to highlight their creative approaches to survivance. Moreover, it demonstrates the ways that they leveraged their dual identities – as both Christian and indigenous – to advocate for themselves and their families.

Respondent: James Krippner, Haverford College

Newberry Scholarly Seminar papers are pre-circulated electronically. If you plan to attend the seminar, please email scholarlyseminars@newberry.org for a copy of the paper. 

Sponsors: The Religion and Culture in the Americas Seminar is co-sponsored by Albion College, the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame, University of Illinois at Chicago, Valparaiso University and Wheaton College.