Temporary, Part-time Digital Services Assistant at the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, (Cambridge, MA)
Posted August 5, 2024
Eligibility:
This is a pre-professional position open to currently enrolled Simmons LIS students.
About the Schlesinger:
The Schlesinger Library draws thousands of researchers each year to study the history of women
in the United States. The library holds letters and diaries, photographs, books and periodicals,
ephemera, oral histories, and born-digital and audiovisual materials that document the history of
women, families, and organizations, primarily in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is also home to an
extensive culinary collection and the Radcliffe Archives. The Digital Collections and Services
department has 3 FTE staff and handles a large digitization budget and an active born-digital
collections program.
Library Website:
For more information on our collections, go to:
https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/schlesinger-library
Description:
The Schlesinger Library has an immediate opening for a Digital Services Assistant. Under the
direction of the Librarian/Archivist for Digital Programs, the Digital Services Assistant performs
a variety of tasks centered on the preparation of collection materials for digitization and review
of digital images produced as part of the digitization process. The Digital Services Assistant also
enters data in databases and spreadsheets, checks information in Harvard Library systems,
maintains statistics, and completes other duties as assigned, including transporting material using
a cart to other buildings (with assistance). The Digital Services Assistant may also track physical
carriers of born-digital material and perform disk imaging to transfer data to more secure storage.
Previous experience working with Microsoft Excel required. Attention to detail is critical. Good
writing skills preferred. Experience with FileMaker Pro is a plus. Training will be provided on all
tasks.
Tasks include:
- Extensive handling of archival materials to prepare them for digitization
- Perform basic preservation and conservation tasks as needed
- Comparison of original documents with digital images to identify issues
- Data entry and related work with in-house spreadsheets and databases
- Maintenance of relevant statistics
- Paging and reshelving materials
- Writing clear and accurate documentation of digitization workflows and processes
- Transport and preparation for transport of cartons and boxes of archival materials
- Disk imaging of obsolete carriers (disks) to transfer data
Requirements:
- Familiarity with Excel
- Ability to carry out repetitive tasks while maintaining focus
- Proven attention to detail
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- No mold allergies
- Ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds on a regular basis
- Ability to work in two locations (some work is performed at Widener Library)
Location:
Work will be performed on site at Schlesinger Library Annex, 40 Concord Avenue, Cambridge,
MA 02138. This is not a remote work opportunity.
Hours:
Start date for this position is negotiable.
Work is for 10-14 hours per week
Hours must be filled Monday-Friday, 9-5. Ideally, the Digitization Assistant will work two 5 or 7-
hour days, but that is not a requirement.
Salary: $20.00/hr
How to Apply:
Applicants should e-mail a cover letter and resume to the contact person listed below. Please, no
phone calls.
Contact:
Jennifer Weintraub
Head of Digital Collections and Services, Schlesinger Library
E-mail: [email protected]