Overview
The University of Rhode Island (URI) is the state’s public, learner-centered research university, dedicated to fostering knowledge and discovery. As a community of scholars, we are committed to enriching students’ lives through our land, sea, and urban grant traditions.
As Rhode Island’s only public research university, URI offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, providing students with exceptional educational opportunities. Our academic pursuits, research initiatives, and community outreach efforts extend beyond the state, making a meaningful impact locally and globally.
At URI, students, faculty, staff, and alumni share a common purpose: to learn, innovate, and lead together. Rooted in Rhode Island’s tradition of independent thought, we uphold the following core values:
- Creativity and Scholarship
- Diversity, Fairness, and Respect
- Engaged Learning and Civic Involvement
- Intellectual and Ethical Leadership
Job Description Summary
This search will remain open until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by March 14, 2025. Applications received after this date may be reviewed depending on the progress of the search and institutional needs but are not guaranteed full consideration.
About URI
The University of Rhode Island (URI) enrolls approximately 17,000 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs. As Rhode Island’s flagship public research university, URI serves as the state’s land grant and sea grant institution.
The university’s main campus is in Kingston, a historic village, while its Bay Campus is in Narragansett, offering proximity to major beaches in a scenic coastal community. URI is conveniently located just 30 minutes from Providence, RI, with easy access to Newport, Boston, and New York City.
Basic Function
This role is responsible for the administration, development, organization, services, and maintenance of the Commercial Pattern Archive (CoPA) within the University Libraries’ University Archives and Special Collections Unit. The position oversees CoPA’s extensive collection of commercially produced paper sewing patterns and manages a unique scholarly database containing pattern metadata.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Responsibilities:
- Work independently on complex tasks under the general supervision of the Director of University Archives and Special Collections (UASC).
- Manage donations of collection materials, including:
- Liaising with potential donors.
- Collaborating with the Director of UASC to facilitate collection transfers from other institutions.
- Processing pattern donations.
- Coordinating with the Metadata and Content Management team for cataloging non-pattern materials.
- Sending donor acknowledgments.
- Organize and catalog patterns following established metadata standards.
- Provide research support for faculty, students, and other patrons by assisting with access and usage of CoPA and related UASC collections.
- Manage and plan enhancements for the CoPA database.
- Promote CoPA through outreach activities, such as public exhibitions, presentations, and faculty collaborations.
- Work with the Director of UASC to prepare grant proposals for funding in accordance with library and university policies.
- Stay informed on current trends and professional knowledge related to the field.
- Contribute to unit reports.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Provide general research support coverage within the University Archives and Special Collections Unit.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Tools and Equipment
- Personal computers, printers, scanners.
- Word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.
- Social media platforms.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Demonstrated experience in library collections management (such as coursework in archives or museum studies, professional library work experience, or volunteer experience in a library setting), OR subject matter expertise in library collection fields (e.g., familiarity with 19th- and 20th-century fashion history, garment construction, costuming, or the social/industrial history of clothing and home sewing).
- Ability to work independently.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proficiency in written communication.
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally.
- Experience working with diverse populations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Library Sciences, Archival Management, Museum Studies, or a related field (such as Historic Fashion and Textiles, Textile Conservation, Cultural Analysis, Decorative Arts, Design History, or Material Culture).
- Minimum of two years of post-graduate experience working with library, archival, or museum collections.
- Experience in database management.
- Proven ability to prepare successful grant proposals.
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