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Architectural Records Project Processing Assistant, Harvard Property Information Resource Center, Cambridge, MA

Posted October 16, 2015

Title: Library Assistant VI (Architectural Records Project Processing Assistant)

Department: Harvard Planning and Project Management, Property Information Resource Center

Full Or Part Time: Full-Time, 1-Year term appointment (to be reviewed annually)

Salary Grade: 053

Union: HUCTW

Duties and Responsibilities:                 

Under the direction of the Property Information Resource Center (PIRC) Manager and working closely with the Processing Archivist, the Project Processing Assistant is responsible for processing new acquisitions from Harvard capital construction projects.

The processing tasks include the preparation of lists of acquisition contents, the appraisal of the materials for completeness, the arrangement of materials, accurate entry of item metadata into the collection management system (TMS), and the preparation and housing of the materials for long-term storage.

All collection processing must follow established office policies and standards.

The PIRC is a busy office with a small staff. This position requires strong planning and organizational skills, attention to detail, a high degree of integrity and honesty, a collegial, helpful attitude, strong interpersonal skills, and computer skills.

  • Reports to Archivist/Librarian
  • Undertakes the physical and intellectual organization of architectural drawings and related construction project documentation. These materials will be in electronic and physical formats.
  • Processes materials and adds/edits metadata in the collection management system (TMS)
  • Houses, labels, and otherwise prepares collections for storage and research use following office guidelines.
  • Identifies problems resulting from incorrect, incomplete or conflicting bibliographic data and reports them to the Archivist and/or Processing Archivist.
  • Prepares materials to assist in the collection digitization project.
  • Other responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

  • College degree with a background in art, architecture or architectural history with enrollment in an MLS program preferred.
  • At least one year of previous archives or architectural firm related work experience preferred
  • Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy is necessary
  • Ability to work in a collaborative atmosphere with shared work spaces.
  • Strong written & verbal communication skills
  • Ability to communicate in a timely manner with management regarding issues that may affect collection access, processing and storage
  • Ability to lift boxes up to 40lbs and work with dusty materials
  • May require keyboarding for at least six hours a day
  • Requires flexibility and the ability to handle a wide variety of tasks in the course of a day 

Additional Qualification:

  • Familiarity with Gallery Systems TMS collections management system
  • Familiarity with architectural records or subject knowledge of architecture helpful
  • Experience processing visual resources

About the PIRC:

The PIRC is Harvard University’s principal repository for records of the institution’s buildings and land. Forming the core of the PIRC’s collections are architectural and engineering drawings of Harvard’s buildings dating from 1840 to the present, as well as many surveys and topographical, assessor, and zoning maps related to the Cambridge and Boston campuses. Additional collections include photographs, slides, and property agreements. The PIRC helps Harvard University preserve its past and effectively plan for the future. Its collections document the rich and varied history of Harvard’s built environment. Additionally, they provide critical background material for campus planning, new construction projects, and renovation to Harvard buildings.

View full description and apply online: Req37384.

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