Alex Altan
Chicago Heights,IL
Summary
Results driven, highly developed research skills, ILL Librarian/Processing Archivist with 20 years of experience in an Academic Library. Good interpersonal and customer service skills. Constantly keeping abreast of new technologies both in interlibrary loan and Archives fields. Initiative taker, accurate, and detail oriented. A dedicated professional willing and able to work under tight deadlines and get the job done.
Experienced with archival methods, ensuring accurate preservation and accessibility of historical records. Utilizes robust organizational skills and precise cataloging techniques to maintain comprehensive archives. Knowledge of digitization processes and archival software enhances document management efficiency.
Organized information management professional with robust background in archival practices. Proven ability to enhance document preservation and accessibility through meticulous cataloging and innovative digitization methods. Known for fostering collaborative environments and adapting to evolving archival needs, consistently delivering reliable results.
Experienced archivist with strong organizational skills and deep understanding of archival principles. Proven ability to manage and preserve records, ensuring accessibility and integrity. Skilled in cataloging, digital archiving, and historical research. Strong focus on team collaboration and adaptability, consistently delivering results in dynamic environments.
Diligent Archivist with comprehensive experience in managing and preserving historical records. Successfully streamlined archival processes, ensuring efficient retrieval and storage of documents. Demonstrated expertise in cataloging and digitization while utilizing strong organizational and analytical skills.
Organized Archivist with [Number]-year background in acquiring, managing and maintaining papers, records and collections. Committed to making information easily accessible and following digital industry rules and regulations. Inquisitive and methodical with proficiency in operating database software such as [Software].
Thorough team contributor with strong organizational capabilities. Experienced in handling numerous projects at once while ensuring accuracy. Effective at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines.
Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
College Archivist/ILL Librarian
Prairie State College
01.2014 - 01.2025
- Appraised, organized, and processed archival collections.
- Compiled statistics and reports about the Archive collections.
- Scanned selected photographic materials and historic documents for digitization purposes.
- Created descriptive metadata for photographs, negatives, slides and PDF documents using Contentdm Project Management system.
- Converted oral history interviews on audio cassette tapes that were conducted with Prairie State College faculty and students in the 1980’s and digitized them using Audacity editing software and ContentDm Project Client Collection Management System.
- Generated transcripts for Oral History Interviews using Descript Transcription software.
- Provided archival reference and research services to students and community members and alumni.
- Engaged in long- and short-range planning for various archival projects.
- Planned monthly displays to showcase and promote Archive collections.
- Composed articles regarding the history of the Prairie State College for the Library Newsletter.
- Created finding aids to facilitate easy retrieval of archival materials.
- Created a research guide to help the patrons search for physical and digital archive collections.
- Handled all incoming and outgoing ILL requests using Sirsi/Dynix Workflows, OCLC World share and I-Share.
- Trained and assisted the part time and hourly workers in placing holds, checking in and checking out items to students, faculty, staff and the community members.
- Assisted the Circulation Desk Staff at peak times as a backup.
ILL Librarian
Prairie State College
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Handled all incoming and outgoing ILL requests using Workflows, OCLC World Share and I-Share.
- Compiled annual ILL statistics and submitted them to Illinois State Library.
- Attended webinars and workshops related to ILL to keep abreast of the new technologies in interlibrary loan and document delivery services.
- Placed and trapped holds for Prairie State College Faculty, students, and staff.
- Processed and sent out ILL items requested by other libraries.
Periodical Check-in Clerk
Prairie State College
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Checked in all print periodicals to the library’s database.
- Claimed missing issues through EBSCO missing copy bank database.
- Weeded out and discarded the issues older than 5 years.
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Looked after a family member who was recovering from a health issue.
Grocery Store Clerk
Dominick’s Foods
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Bagged groceries for the customers.
- Restocked shelves.
- Assisted customers to locate the items in the store.
Library Clerk
Bell, Boyd and Lloyd Law Firm
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Processed new library materials and conducted bibliographic research on the Horizon Library System.
- Filed and entered annual 10K and 10Q company reports into the library’s database.
- Assisted the Firm’s loose-leaf filer to retrieve daily, weekly and monthly tax documents from the attorney’s offices for updates.
- Picked up and returned Library materials from other law firms and law schools in the Downtown Chicago area under the supervision of ILL coordinator.
- Ensured the reading room area in the library has enough supplies such as scratch papers, pencils and other stationery for the attorneys.
- Shelved the books and other library materials.
Field Worker
C. Berger and Company Library Temp Agency
01.1996 - 01.1997
- Completed project based short term assignments in various libraries including Sachnoff and Weaver Law Firm, American Hospital Association and Field Museum of Natural History.
The Center for Research Libraries at the University of Chicago
01.1995 - 01.1996
- Scanned and digitized old newspapers in foreign languages.
- Entered, updated, and verified bibliographic records of the newspapers on OCLC and the Center’s Cardbox and CRL databases.
- Organized hard and microfiche copies of the newspapers for archival purposes.
Education
Master of Library Science -
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
United Kingdom10-1993
Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship - Library and Information Science, Social Psychology, 19th Century Turkish Literature
University of Istanbul
Istanbul, Turkey05-1983
Skills
- Good research skills in OCLC Resource Sharing ILL; I-Share and Alma on both staff and patron interfaces
- Expert user of Microsoft Word, Access, PowerPoint and Excel
- Proficient in Contentdm Archive Content Management System
- Proficient in Audacity Recording and Editing Software
- Proficient in Descript Transcription Software
- Document management
- Photo imaging
- Preservation techniques
- Records management
- Metadata creation
- Archival record prep
- Archival appraisal
- Information retrieval
- Conservation methods
- Digital archiving
- Records organization
- Historical research
Accomplishments
Organized and digitized College archives
Affiliations
Society of American Archivists 2023-2025
Certification
- Certificate in Oral History: Theory and Methods (Online Class). Date Awarded: October 10, 2023, by Preservethis.org
- Certificate of Participation in the Webcast Event “DAM and Digital Preservation Systems: A new Partnership to address preservation and conservation of Collections, November 15, 2023, presented by MSI Information Services and Library Journal.
- Certificate of Continuing Education: Describing Archives: a content standard (Fundamentals), February 20-23, 2023 (online class), awarded by Society of American Archivists.
Languages
Turkish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
College Archivist/ILL Librarian
Prairie State College
01.2014 - 01.2025
ILL Librarian
Prairie State College
01.2008 - 01.2014
Periodical Check-in Clerk
Prairie State College
01.2005 - 01.2007
01.2002 - 01.2005
Grocery Store Clerk
Dominick’s Foods
01.1999 - 01.2002
Library Clerk
Bell, Boyd and Lloyd Law Firm
01.1997 - 01.1998
Field Worker
C. Berger and Company Library Temp Agency
01.1996 - 01.1997
The Center for Research Libraries at the University of Chicago
01.1995 - 01.1996
Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship - Library and Information Science, Social Psychology, 19th Century Turkish Literature
University of Istanbul
Master of Library Science -
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Presentations
- Joint Presentation with Morraine Valley Community College Archivist Kate Nadolski about Institutional Archives at South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society in Hazel Crest, IL, April 13, 2024
- Lunch & Learn Event: History of Prairie State College, Library, Chicago Heights, IL, September 19, 2024
Volunteer Committee Work
- CARLI Task Force 2024-2025
- CARLI Preservation Committee, August 2025-December 2025
Archives Task force/Preservation Committee
Made recommendations and suggestions