Photo Archivist, Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA

Posted April 4, 2024

About the Opportunity
The Museum’s Library & Archives is integral to CAM’s operations and provides a major public
resource for the study of the history of Cape Ann, past and present. Access to these collections and
related scholarship is of paramount importance and the Museum now seeks an individual to join its
dynamic team with the ability to work collaboratively across departments, with a strong focus on
bringing the Library & Archives’ vast photographic archives back to the community through
processing and digitization efforts.

Job Summary
Reporting to the Head Librarian & Archivist, the Photo Archivist will manage the Library & Archives’
(L&A) vast photographic resources which range from daguerreotypes, prints, negatives, to born-
digital images. This position will be tasked with organizing, inventorying, processing, and digitizing
these holdings. Other tasks include collection care, photo reference, acquisitions, arrangement, and
description. The Photo Archivist will work in tandem with the Head Librarian & Archivist and the
Digital Library Assistant in managing and enhancing Quartex, the L&A’s Digital Collection site and
catalog. At present, the L&A has over 15,000 digitized photographs in this system and thousands
more that will need imported, as well as a substantial collection of images that have yet to be
scanned.
A priority of this position will be the continued processing of a recent donation from the North of
Boston Media Group of the photo archive of the Gloucester Daily Times. This collection is vast in its
coverage and size, with dates from 1973 through 2005, the collection estimate has the number of
individual images totaling over one million.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the preservation and safe keeping of the Library & Archives photo collections,
• including handling, storage, conservation and security.
• Work in tandem with the Head Librarian & Archivist and the Digital Library Assistant on integrating existing and newly digitized items from the photo archives into Quartex, the Museum’s Digital Collections site and catalog.
• Process and digitization of the Gloucester Daily Times photo archive.
• Respond to daily photo research inquiries (both in-house and external) and manage rights and reproduction requests related to the photo archives collections.

• Engage CAM colleagues, volunteers and the public in the Library & Archives resources and services. Includes assisting patrons in conducting research and accessing resources during a Saturday shift at the Reference Desk.
• Identify opportunities for collections development by researching additional grant possibilities, facilitating donor relations and acquisitions in concert with the Museum Curatorial staff.
• Engage with visiting school groups to present items from the collection as well as general library instruction.
• Curate displays and small exhibits which highlight stories and items from the photo archives.
• Assist in other duties as assigned by the Head Librarian & Archivist to support the operations and activities of the Library & Archives.
• Participate in training and supervising of interns, docents, and volunteers as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in library information science from an ALA-accredited program or equivalent with advanced coursework in archival management.
• 2-years professional work experience in archives, special collections, or in photo digitization required.
• Knowledge of current issues and trends in museum-based photo archives, including the best practice procedures for managing, maintaining and preserving both digital and physical photo archival records and collections.
• Proficiency in both Mac/PC and MS Office, Google Apps, and archival information systems such as WorldCat, Quartex, CONTENTdm, FileMaker Pro or related collections management software.
• Poise, maturity, flexibility, and aptitude to work as a collaborative team player with colleagues, volunteers and the general public.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and interpersonal.
• Appreciation of the Museum’s mission and ability to be an effective spokesperson.
• Knowledge of Cape Ann history and art preferred.
• Ability to work some nights, early mornings and weekends as events and meetings require.
• Capability to lift up to 40 Ibs.

The Cape Ann Museum is committed to diversity among its employees and encourages qualified
candidates from all backgrounds to apply. For consideration, please submit your cover letter and
résumé to: l[email protected]. You may also submit your materials via postal mail to:
Human Resources, Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.
The Cape Ann Museum Photo Archivist role is made possible thanks to the generous support of an
anonymous donor.