Assistant Professor/University Archivist

Category: Faculty Subscribe: RSS Job Feed Department: Library Special Collections Locations: Bowling Green, KY Posted: Sep 16, 2025 Closes: Open Until Filled Type: Full-time Ref. No.: 996330 Position ID: 192919 Share About Western Kentucky University: Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the second largest undergraduate institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 15,035 students (29% first generation, 18% underrepresented minority, 1% international) and nearly 2,508 faculty and staff employees*. Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities. Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home. Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about. Job Description: Position Overview Western Kentucky University (WKU) Libraries invites applications for a ten-month, tenure-eligible faculty librarian to serve as University Archivist within the Department of Library Collections & Discovery. The University Archivist provides strategic leadership in the acquisition, preservation, description, and access of university records and historical materials that document the institutional history of WKU. This ten-month faculty position collaborates with university offices, academic departments, and external donors and alumni to identify, acquire, and preserve records of enduring value to the university. The Archivist promotes access through arrangement and description, supports teaching and research through user services and outreach, and advances records management best practices in partnership with university stakeholders. Principal Responsibilities. The following duties are customary for this position, but additional responsibilities may be assigned based on institutional needs and management discretion: Identify, acquire, and preserve official university records and related materials that document WKU's historyDetermine the function, authenticity, and evidentiary value of records and related materials in conjunction with state and university records scheduleProcess archival collections following accepted professional standards, creating descriptive tools and metadata to ensure discoverabilityDevelop and implement policies and workflows for the selection, transfer, and long-term preservation of institutional records, including digital assetsServe as records officer, advising university departments on records retention per the Kentucky State University Model ScheduleServe as primary administrator of Creative Commons institutional repository, designated TopScholarProvide reference services and research support to internal and external users of the archivesEngage in outreach and instruction, including class sessions, exhibitions, public programs, and collaborative campus initiativesCollaborate with Special Collections faculty and staff to align university archives initiatives with the department's mission and servicesEngage in teaching/professional effectiveness, research/creative activity, and service as outlined in the University and department's criteria for faculty rank and promotion Requirements: A Master's degree in Library and Information Science from an ALA-accredited program.Demonstrated knowledge of archival theory and best practices, including accessioning, arrangement and description, and digital preservationFamiliarity with records management principles and legal/regulatory requirements for institutional recordsExperience with archival metadata standardsStrong communication and collaboration skills with an ability to maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders