Project Archivist, Penumbra: RME, Cambridge, MA

Posted February 6, 2015

Application Deadline: Feb. 21, 2015

Years of experience required: need to have processed at least 1 collection prior to start; recent MLIS graduates and retirees encouraged to apply

Position Type: volunteer

Duration: February through June 2015, 2-5 hours/week

Stipend: $200

Position Summary:

Penumbra: RME is seeking 3 project archivists to work on a Cambridge Arts funded project that will result in formal written histories of the Dance Complex, Green Street Studios, and Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. These histories will become part of the online Hub Dance Narratives of Boston website with a target release date of June 30, 2015. Project archivists will report to the project manager and oversee the inventorying, rehousing, and basic description of institutional records and ephemera that document an organization’s history as well as determine a maintenance plan for after the processing is complete. Volunteers will assist the project archivists with those tasks to help meet the rapid deadline. The Artist’s Legacy Toolkit (http://www.danceheritage.org/artisttoolkit.html) will be used to guide the process. Could lead to a conference presentation or article with opportunities.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree from an A.L.A. accredited library or information science program with an archival concentration or an M.A. in a related subject with an archival concentration or archival management certificate or professional experience working in an archives
• Experience processing at least 1 physical collection greater than 5 cubic ft and containing mixed formats
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Detail-oriented
• Ability to work independently and to also provide guidance to others
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills with an ability to translate technical jargon into layman terms
• “MacGyver” mentality, creative, resourceful and flexible

Preferred:

• Cambridge residency preferred but not required
• Supervisory and/or project management experience
• Self-motivated and enterprising

Please submit a cover letter, résumé or C.V., and contact information for 2 professional references and send materials to [email protected].