As the Adjunct or Visiting Archivist in the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, you can help The University of Montana (UM) provide access to a high-priority, high-profile literary manuscript collection consisting of the personal papers of poet Patricia Goedicke (1931-2006) and her husband, writer Leonard Wallace Robinson (1912-1999). If you are interested in American poets and writers, work well independently and collaboratively within a team environment, and are excited about the possibility of processing an important literary manuscript collection. If you are interested in American poets and writers, work well independently and collaboratively within a team environment, and are excited about the possibility of processing an important literary manuscript collection--apply today!

Under the general supervision of the Mansfield Library’s Archivist and Manuscripts Librarian, the adjunct or visiting archivist is responsible for processing a high-priority, high-profile literary manuscript collection consisting of the personal papers of poet Patricia Goedicke (1931 -2006) and her husband, writer Leonard Wallace Robinson (1912-1999). Specific duties include arranging and describing the collection and creating the EAD-encoded finding aid according to national archival standards; performing tasks to provide proper preservation and housing for the materials; and providing general reference services at the Archives and Special Collections reference desk.

About the collection: Totaling 110 linear feet unprocessed, the Goedicke/Robinson Papers includes correspondence, journals and diaries, manuscripts of published and unpublished poetry and stories, subject files documenting the creators’ interests and activities, materials related to Goedicke’s activities as a University of Montana professor and mentor of students, and other files.

About the creators: Throughout her career as a writer Goedicke published hundreds of poems and thirteen collections of poetry.As Earth Begins to End, published the year after Robinson’s death, was named one of the year’s ten best books of poetry by the American Library Association. Robinson was a reporter and staff writer for The New Yorker, managing editor in charge of fiction at Esquire, fiction editor at Collier's Magazine, and executive editor at Holt, Rinehart Publishing. His writings appeared in many publications, including The New Yorker and Harper's, and he was the recipient of several writing awards.

After completing the Goedicke/Robinson project, the adjunct or visiting archivist may:

Assist with other projects in support of department and library goals, and/or

Assist with digitization activities that expose resources from Archives & Special Collections

Master’s degree in Library Science, English Literature, or related relevant field

Coursework and training in archives

Experience processing archival collections, especially literary manuscript collections

Knowledge of national and international standards and best practices for the description of primary source materials (DACS, EAD, MARC21, etc.)

Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds and work with collections that contain dust.

Knowledge of later 20th century American poets and writers

Knowledge of western history, especially Montana history

Experience using EAD and creating online guides and exhibits

Located at the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, UM is a magnet not only for top-notch teachers and researchers, but also for students from across the country and around the globe. A city within a city – with its own eateries, stores, medical facilities, banking and postal services, and zip code – UM has an increasingly diverse population and rich culture.

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library is the largest library in the state of Montana with a tradition of collaboration with a variety of state and regional library partners. The Mansfield Library is a leader in the state in the use of technology to extend services and collections to the citizens and university’s global community. On campus, the Mansfield Library is heavily used by students and researchers alike as a learning and social place offering opportunities for cultural and intellectual pursuits through its successful instructional programs, displays, special collections and events.