Project Archivist, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA
Posted February 2, 2022
Description:
Shady Hill School seeks a Project Archivist to conduct a semester-long survey of our documents, organizational records and photographs, which span the School’s 106-year history. By the end of the semester, the Project Archivist will provide us with (1) a solid estimate of how much space we should devote for our archives, and (2) a draft archives policy that includes recommendations on digitization as well as retention of photos, paperwork and objects. We have three walk-in closets of materials which are loosely organized and stored onsite. It is quite possible that some items in the current collection do not deserve to remain there; advice on what to pare back is one aspect of the work.
The archivist would have safe access to the materials, and could set their own hours, within 7:30am – 5:00 pm work day parameters. The expectation is for two full days a week from February 2022 through mid-May 2022, or the equivalent divided up differently. The project is under the guidance of Shady Hill’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations, who will be available for periodic check-in meetings, but does not have any archiving background. We would hope to have the project completed by May 15, 2022, but the timing is flexible and could extend through June. There will be a stipend of $3,600, in recognition of the quantity of material to be surveyed. For more information about our school, visit www.shs.org.
Responsibilities:
- Survey materials.
- Draft an archives policy outlining what is worthy of retention, and which materials merit storing in hard copy vs. digitized.
- For the digitized component, study our school’s scanned-files system and advise on its suitability for archival purposes, or recommend a “best practices” approach.
- Estimate the amount and type of storage space needed to accommodate the physical collection. Prepare a brief written space-requirements summary to be shared with an architecture firm.
- Estimate the further number of hours needed to scan the items best stored digitally
Qualifications:
- Enrollment in or recent completion of a Masters-level program in library science, archival studies or related program
- Ability to work independently
- Creative problem-solving skills, curiosity and motivation
How to Apply:
Email your cover letter, resume, and one reference, to Betsy Ginsberg, Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Shady Hill School, at [email protected]
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Feb 14, 2022