Museum Cataloging Assistant, Bibliotemps (Amherest, MA)

Posted April 18, 2024

Title: Museum Cataloging Assistant

Location: Five Colleges, Incorporated

Optional In-person Amherst, MA; Remote; or Hybrid

(New England Residents Only)

Start date: May 13, 2024

End date: August 2, 2024

Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Pay Rate: $20.75 – $24.00 per hour

CORI: Required

Job Summary:

The Cataloging Assistant supports a National Endowment for the Humanities-funded grant (MCMC Enrich/Discover) related to data preparation and enrichment for six art museums of the Five College Consortium & Historic Deerfield. The Cataloging Assistant will use data analysis tools and workflows (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and/or OpenRefine) to assist in the preparation of museum data for increased discoverability. Specifically, this position will perform quality control on museum data reconciled against standardized sources (Union List of Artist Names and the Virtual International Authority File).

Importance of Diversity to our Educational Mission:

Five Colleges, Incorporated and its five associated institutions are committed to supporting and sustaining a diversity of people, backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and points of view for the essential contribution this diversity makes to the missions of our organizations. In support of this commitment, Five Colleges requires all of its employees to work cooperatively and effectively with the diversity of people within the organization itself, at the colleges, and in our partner organizations.

Duties:

Coordinate with the MCMC Enrich/Discover project staff and stakeholders to achieve the goals of the MCMC Enrich/Discover grant.
Edit or produce agent/creator authority records for objects in collections management system.
Follow current standards and best practices for museum cataloging and metadata.
Create links to object records from agent/creator records in the authority file.
Generate or edit documentation for new or revised procedures.
Perform and document quality control practices.
Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree plus 1-2 years relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience with original cataloging and/or metadata creation and management in a museum, library, or archives environment.
Experience working with visual resources collections data.
Demonstrated experience applying descriptive and structural metadata standards and controlled vocabularies to cultural heritage resources.
Demonstrated ability to work sensitively and effectively with a variety of collections stakeholders across departments, disciplines, and communities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
Demonstrated experience with designing and executing projects on a deadline.
Proficiency with office software (Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Google Suite).
Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism.
Capacity to meet (with or without accommodation) the physical expectations of the position, which include: ability to comprehend written and verbal communication; ability to evaluate printed materials, and material on computer screens; ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, by videoconference, and via email; and ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
Ability to pass a post-offer background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in library and information science, visual arts, or museum studies.
Experience working in a museum setting.
Demonstrated knowledge of the history of art and/or material culture.

BiblioTemps® is an employment service of the Massachusetts Library System that provides experienced library workers for temporary placements in public, academic, and special libraries throughout Massachusetts.

How to Apply

Submit resume via our job board – https://www.bibliotemps.com/jobs

Contact with questions – [email protected]

Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is an equal opportunity employer.

MLS is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, age, marital status, sex, physical or mental challenge, creed, religion, political affiliation, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. Members of underrepresented groups, and those committed to working in a diverse cultural environment are encouraged to apply.