Student - Archives Assistant (JCA)

Position Description:

Butler University Libraries and the Jordan College of Arts is seeking to hire an Archives Assistant for the Department of Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives. The student worker must be a creative thinker with a broad interest in history, culture, and technology to serve as the Archives Assistant (JCA). As a member of the department, the Archives Assistant (JCA) will work with the University Archivist in processing collections, creating collection guides (inventories), handling materials, and providing access to materials from the archives that relate to the JCA Department of Dance (UA04.06.03) collection. The position will also work with the Digital Scholarship Associate to digitize materials from the JCA Department of Dance collection. 

The Department of Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives strives to promote inclusivity in all our professional activities. The ideal candidate should have some technical experience, curiosity for history, and enthusiasm for building more specialized skills on the job. But most importantly, please bring a wide-ranging curiosity and a desire to contribute to an equitable and inclusive working environment.

Schedule & Hours:

Flexible schedule – Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives is open from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, and staff will work with the Archives Assistant (JCA) to create a suitable work schedule that is flexible within that time frame.

Butler students are not allowed to work more than cumulative 16 hours per week during the academic year (20 hours is the absolute max). During the summer months, students can work up to 40 hours per week for a maximum of 90 days. The Archives Assistant is slated to work 9 hours per week during the spring semester. 

Main Responsibilities:

• Processing UA04.06.03 JCA Department of Dance
  • Prepping the collection for future digitization, including organizing, re-foldering and re-boxing of collection to best preserve materials for the future
• Creation of a collection guide/inventory of the collection
• Uploading records to ArchivesSpace
• Digitization of selected materials
• Conducting research

Required Qualifications:

• Must be self-motivated, work independently or as part of a team, learn quickly, meet deadlines, and demonstrate problem-solving skills
• Ability to function effectively in an environment of competing priorities
• Ability to move from one project to another, keeping track of workflows and requirements for each project
• High-level of attention to detail and good organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of Butler-supported systems and/or other computer application programs
• Basic knowledge of (or willingness to learn) processing archival collections and handling materials
• Creation of collection guides (inventories)
• Experience working with rare, fragile materials
• Knowledge of archival or library projects

Student Learning Outcomes:

Student worker will be able to learn archival standards and processes, such as:

• Processing collections
• Handling archival material
• Creating collection guides
• Uploading records to ArchivesSpace
• Conducting research
• Digitization

Required Documents: 

Please submit a resume and cover letter for this position.

Additional Details:

Department(s): Butler University Libraries/Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives/JCA

Line Manager: Kyle Stearns, University Archivist

Contact: kastearns@butler.edu

Position Title: Archives Assistant (JCA)

Pay Rate: $11.50

Hours: 9 hours per week

Desired Length of Employment: Spring Semester 2026 

Start Date: Spring 2026 (Date TBD)

Hiring: Interviews December 2025 (in-person interviews)