Curatorial Assistant, Providence Public Library, Providence, RI
Posted December 15, 2014
The Providence Public Library is a private nonprofit public library serving the city and state of Rhode Island. It is in year one of an ambitious three year Strategic Plan – Think Again! This vision targets five major audiences, and makes high impact learning the library’s primary focus. High impact learning is defined as a series of programs that provide a project based, educational and creative experience that incorporates personal interests, technology, library collections, community needs, and when appropriate school curriculums resulting in programs with measurable, quantifiable outcomes. This position works closely with and under the direct supervision of the library’s Special Collections Librarians, and closely with the Programs & Exhibitions Manager but must follow through without direct supervision on tasks set forth as part of larger library programs and exhibition planning. The Library is seeking someone with skills that will advance our high impact programming agenda, as well as help design outstanding exhibitions. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in both special collections and museum quality exhibitions. However, the library also encourages applications from those with strong skills in one area and lesser complementary skills or relevant experience in the other.
Major Responsibilities
Exhibition Design & Management:
- Work with Special Collections, RI Collections, General Collections Librarians, and Programs & Exhibitions Manager to develop exhibition themes and choose materials for display, including building custom supports and writing exhibition labels and promotional copy
- Coordinate materials and artifacts borrowed from other institutions and individuals
- Collaborate with Digital Producer to create accompanying online exhibitions and social media promotion
Collections & Programs Support:
- Assist the Special Collections and RI Collections Librarians, and the Programs & Exhibitions Manager in a wide range of collections and programming related departmental projects
- Occasionally monitor the Special Collections reading room, assisting patrons and overseeing the use of fragile materials when the Special Collections Librarian is unavailable
- Copy Cataloging and/or original cataloging of Special Collections materials depending on experience
- Survey general/bound periodicals collection; create and implement project plan to manage the collection, including weeding, gifting, and increasing visibility
- Assist in development of institutional collection development policy
- Other collection duties as assigned
Qualifications
- ALA-accredited graduate degree in library science or a degree in museum studies, or equivalent relevant experience
- History of rare book or archival experience through coursework or professional practice preferred
- Exhibition experience in some capacity demonstrating the ability to coordinate PPL’s major exhibitions
- Excellent project management skills; ability to undertake large-scale projects, work collaboratively, and stay organized
- Strong communication and writing skills
- Basic cataloging training or experience or the ability to be trained in basic procedures
- Experience working with a library collection, an archival collection, or a book collection within a museum setting
- Some experience in the area of collections management, including weeding guidelines and procedures or relevant experience demonstrating ability to learn and follow such basic guidelines as established
- Knowledge of DCRM(B), AACR2, and MARC21 are a plus
- Graphic design experience and familiarity with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and similar design software or similar equivalent knowledge
Hours: 37 ½ hours per week – Full time
Salary: $45,000 – $55,000 – plus benefits
Deadlines for Resumes: December 31, 2014. Applications received by December 24 will receive preference.
Resume to:
Human Resources
Providence Public Library
150 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-455-8061
Email: [email protected]