Description

The Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections at York University Libraries invites highly qualified 
applicants for an Adjunct Archivist position, Irving Abella Fonds. This is a Contractually Limited 
Appointment (CLA) for a one-year term to commence January 1, 2027. 

This position is focused on the arrangement and description of the substantial archives of Dr. Irving 
Abella (1940-2022), professor emeritus of York University, historian, and important contributor to the 
development of Canadian Jewish Studies as a discipline of study. The Clara Thomas Archives & 
Special Collections is a small but dynamic department of York University Libraries and is located in the 
Scott Library on the Keele campus. Its archival holdings consist of more than eight kilometres of 
university records and private papers, including an extensive collection of non-textual materials. 
Special Collections has over 128,000 items of published Canadiana and other works. Additional 
information on holdings and services can be found at:  http://www.library.yorku.ca/web/archives. 
  
Projects and Responsibilities: 
The Adjunct Archivist works within a collaborative team environment with work coordinated by the 
Head of the archives. The incumbent will be responsible for the appraisal, arrangement, description, 
and physical processing of the archival records of Irving Abella onsite at the Scott Library, Keele 
Campus. In addition, the incumbent, as a member of the archives team, will contribute to 
departmental operations, including:  

• provision of archival reference services in an academic setting;
• instruction in archival literacy;
• knowledge mobilization in relation to the records of Irving Abella; including the creation of 
  metadata of any relevant material digitized for deposit in the university’s digital heritage 
  preservation repository, York University Digital Library (YUDL);
• service including participation in the work of the Libraries’ committees as appropriate; and
• pursuit of scholarship, professional development, and service.  

While the bulk of the work will be the arrangement and description of the papers of Irving Abella, 
other small processing projects may be assigned in alignment with any demonstrated areas of 
linguistic or disciplinary strength and expertise. 

Requirements

Candidate Qualifications: 
Degree: Master’s degree in archival studies from an ALA-accredited program or Master of Library 
and Information Studies (or equivalent) with concentration in professional archival education 
from an ALA-accredited program, by the appointment’s start is required. 

Required Experience:

• At least one year of professional experience in an archives;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills;
• Ability to undertake physical processing and handling of records;
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others;
• Superior written and spoken communication in English; 
• Evidence or promise of research contributions in the form of publications, presentations, or other scholarly output, professional development, and active involvement in professional or scholarly organizations; 

Demonstrated: 

• Expertise in processing and providing access to archival records within an automated 
  work environment, including working knowledge of the Rules for Archival Description; 
  experience with Access to Memory AtoM would be an asset.
• Project management skills, including the ability to manage detail-oriented workflow 
  with a high degree of accuracy within established deadlines.  
• Experience with working in established archives, preferably in an academic setting.
• Experience with teaching, presenting, and providing tracking and/or instruction.

Knowledge of: 

• Copyright and privacy legislation and its application to archival holdings and reference 
  services;
• Standards and best practices for the preservation and use of analogue and digital 
  archival records; and  
• Workflow associated with digitization and curation of digital objects. 

Additional: Familiarity with the history of Jewish culture, traditions, and historical narratives, 
particularly in relation to the Jewish diaspora in Canada, is an asset.