Category Archives: Collections Management

Job Posting: Visual Resources Librarian for Islamic Art & Architecture, Harvard College Library

Visual Resources Librarian for Islamic Art and Architecture, Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture

Harvard College Library

Cambridge, MA

Reporting to the Public Services Librarian, this position is responsible for research support, collaboration, and outreach for visual materials in the field of Islamic art and architecture to faculty, students, and researchers. Visual materials collections include digital images and slides for teaching as well as other formats documenting all aspects of Islamic art and architecture in the Fine Arts Library including historic photographs, postcards, and ephemera. Additional responsibilities include implementation of appropriate and forward-looking image metadata schemes, digital access, and participation in collection development and management. Works closely with the Bibliographer in the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture and the Photographic Resources Librarian in the Fine Arts Library and the faculty and staff of the Aga Khan Program.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

Collection Management, Development, and Access

  • Identifies, evaluates , and acquires images, digital resources, historic photographs, and other visual materials for the library’s teaching and research collection
  • Assesses and selects historic photographs and other visual materials in the Fine Arts Library’s collection for digitization and preservation (in consultation with the AKPIA Bibliographer and FAL Photographic Resources Librarian)
  • Works with AKPIA and other faculty members, students, fellows, and visiting scholars to set collection priorities based on research and curricular needs
  • Coordinates and prioritizes production of different digital products (scanning, uploading, cataloging); tracks workflows and timely service to users
  • Provides intellectual control for Islamic visual materials in OLIVIA, ARTstor Shared Shelf project, and other catalogues including collaboration to establish best practices and authority control
  • Participates in planning and implementing projects involving visual materials
  • Develops long-range planning for Islamic visual images collection in consultation with AKPIA faculty and staff

Reference and Instructional Support

  • Provides research services for visual materials in Islamic art and architectural history for faculty, students, and researchers
  • Selects and provides teaching images in appropriate formats and other visual resources for classroom lectures and course websites
  • Provides individual and group research support including in-class workshops and personalized instruction
  • Assists faculty and students in integrating GIS, Prezi , and other visual tools in lectures, course websites
  • Prepares online research guides, reference tools, and finding aids for Islamic visual materials
  • Assists with image research and provides images, as needed, for Muqarnas and other Harvard and MIT AKPIA publications

Collaboration and Outreach

  • Collaborates with diverse Harvard colleagues including the Loeb Design Library, NELC, CMES, and Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program
  • Collaborates with AKPIA Documentation Center at MIT, Archnet, and other external initiatives on the creation and sharing of metadata, content, and services for users of visual materials on Islamic art and architecture such as SAHARA
  • Works with other Harvard groups supporting interdisciplinary and digital scholarship such as academic departments and programs, DASH, CGA, and the Library Lab Initiative to develop content and research/teaching opportunities

Supervisory Responsibilities

  • Supervises year-round student employees and temporary/project staff (as needed) in the creation of item level and collection-level cataloging and indexing for Islamic visual materials in all formats
  • Working together with other stakeholders, develops special projects for access to and dissemination of Islamic visual culture

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in library and/or information science or equivalent experience
  • Advanced degree at the master’s level or higher in the history of art and architecture related to the study of the Islamic world, or the equivalent combination of education, experience and/or background etc.
  • 3-5 years related professional library experience required
  • Knowledge of at least one Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Persian, Turkish)
  • Expertise in image metadata standards and online data creation and access
  • Computer skills including databases and digital image file management, required
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills required

Additional Qualifications:

  • Working knowledge of western European languages, especially French and German
  • Knowledge of the contemporary field of Islamic art and architecture historical study and its constituents
  • Knowledge of other archival collections projects related to visual culture and history of the Middle East
  • Ability to use a computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse

 Please apply with a cover letter and resume at the Harvard Employment Site.  

Apply Here:  http://www.click2apply.net/wy6zy39

Internship Posting: Archivist/Librarian Internship at Dumbarton House

Dumbarton House, a Federal period historic house Museum in Georgetown, seeks an Archivist/Librarian Intern to work with the rare book and manuscript collection during the fall 2011.

Dumbarton House, headquarters of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America, offers visitors an opportunity to enhance their appreciation of early American history. Dumbarton House strives to inform and educate the public, about life in Washington during the early days of the Republic (circa 1800) and about Federal Period decorative arts and architecture.

Dumbarton House’s collection of decorative and fine art consists primarily, but not exclusively, of objects dating from the Federal period of U.S. history (approximately 1790-1830). The Dumbarton House manuscript and book collection includes an original copy of the Articles of Confederation, as well as papers, journals, account books, ledgers and letters documenting nearly 300 years of Nourse family life. In addition to our permanent exhibition, we also offer a series of temporary exhibits that feature topics relevant to the museum. The Archivist/Library Intern works directly with and reports to the Museum Curator.

The fall 2011 intern will work closely with the rare book and manuscript collection, re-housing, conditioning, numbering, scanning, and assisting with accessioning the over 1000 pieces in the manuscript collection as well as the nearly 150 rare books.  

Working with the Museum Curator and the Collections Assistant, the intern will be responsible for ensuring that the manuscript and book collection is stored, handled, and cared for according to museum standards.  The Archivist/Library Intern will write a policy and procedures document outlining best practices in care, handling, and storage of the collection.  In addition, the intern will prioritize the conservation needs of this specific collection.   Finally, the intern will assist in moving this collection forward to become accessible online along with aiding in the process of making the museum’s research library of roughly 1,000 books accessible online.

The internship program is designed to provide practical, hands-on experience to students pursuing a graduate-level or PhD degree in Library Sciences, American History, Museum Studies, Material Culture Studies, or related field. Applicants with a recent degree, working toward a degree, and/or comparable work experience will be considered. Applicants must be able to work independently with minimal supervision, and be willing to assist with all aspects of working in a small, historic house museum.

Schedule

  • Available 8-12 hours/week for a total of 150 hours over the course of the semester.

 Responsibilities

The Archivist/Librarian Intern will:

  • Propose, research, develop, and write procedures for the care of the rare book and manuscript collection
  • Scan and condition report manuscript collection
  • Re-house those pieces that are not currently housed properly
  • Assess conservation needs of collection and create a priority list
  • Catalogue, condition report, and accession Rare Book Collection
  • Create online catalogue of current research library for public access

Requirements

  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
  • Excellent research and written and oral communication skills;
  • Familiarity with proper terminology in field and a particular interest in the Federal period a plus;
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
  • Experience with MS Office applications (Word and Excel), knowledge of databases and office equipment;
  • Experience with Past Perfect 4.0 and 5.0 a plus; and
  • Strength, dexterity, and mobility to perform all duties.

Academic credit may be arranged in cooperation with a sponsoring college or university. A stipend may be available.

To Apply

  • Send position-focused cover letter, resume or CV, and 2 professional/academic references to:Archivist/Librarian Intern c/o Education Director, 2715 Q Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20007-3071;education@dumbartonhouse.org;  FAX: 202-337-0348.
  • Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. Please do not contact Dumbarton House to inquire about your application status.

For more information about the Museum and our programs, please visit www.DumbartonHouse.org

Job Posting: Collections Manager and Registrar, Tenement Museum

Position Description

The Tenement Museum seeks a Collections Manager & Registrar, who will be responsible for the day-to-day oversight and preservation of the Museum’s Collections, which include its historic structures and archive. Responsibilities include accessioning, processing incoming/outgoing loans, maintaining collections data systems, exhibition management, preventative conservation care, archives and records management, and emergency response and recovery. The Collections Manager supervises the work of consultants and interns, and works closely with the Museum’s Education Department and Facilities Department. This position reports to the Director of Curatorial Affairs.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage the conservation program for 97 Orchard Street, overseeing monthly building monitoring and identifying conservation priorities
  • Supervise access to the collections and archives, respond to public inquiries regarding the collections, and arrange loans to other cultural institutions.
  • Maintain an accessible online photo database; provide access to images and updates image database records accordingly.
  • Monitor environmental conditions in the museum and its collections, interpret data from environmental monitoring equipment and determine corrective action.
  • Collaborate with the Education Department to identify and assemble materials for use in programs and tours.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Curatorial Affairs on collections development and matters related to research on collections items and the museum’s historic properties.
  • Contribute to exhibition planning and installation.
  • Conduct tours of the Museum for the general public.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates should hold a Masters Degree in Library Science, History, Anthropology, Historic Preservation or related field and have at least 2 years experience. Candidate should be detail oriented, possess strong oral and written communication skills, and have a working knowledge of PastPerfect Museum Software.

SALARY

Commensurate with experience. Complete benefits package.

Please send cover letter and resume to dfavaloro@tenement.org. No phone calls, please.

Deadline to apply: July 15, 2011.