Library Assistant - Special Collections Cataloguing Intern
- Program stream:
- Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage
- Job title:
- Library Assistant - Special Collections Cataloguing Intern
- Organization name:
- NSCAD University
- Job location:
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Length of assignment:
- 2021-09-13 to 2022-03-18 (26.57 weeks)
- Hourly wage:
- $20.00
The main objective of this project is to improve the discoverability of the NSCAD Library's exhibition catalogue special collection bibliographic records, in advance of the Library's move to a new Integrated Library System (Alma). The incumbent will receive training in the ILS software currently used at NSCAD (Aleph), cataloguing workflows, cataloguing authority records, research and subject analysis in bibliographic cataloguing in an arts environment, and the effects of the move from the AACR2 standard to the RDA standard in cataloguing bibliographic metadata. The incumbent will review and modify records identified through a previous inventory process. In so doing, the incumbent will improve the discoverability of this collection and the reliability of the the library catalogue. The incumbent will also document their workflows and create promotional materials to disseminate knowledge about this collection. Additionally the incumbent will modify records (copy cataloguing) and conduct original cataloguing of backlog donations which are flagged to be added to this special collection.
The broader impact of this project is to improve the discoverability of documentation of predominantly Canadian art practices from c. 1960's to the present, especially those on which monographs have not been published, and of which there may be little surviving documentation. This includes artworks by members of groups who have been historically underrepresented in the art world, including Indigenous, Métis, or Inuit artists, LGBTQ2SIA+ artists, Black artists and artists of colour, and artists who are members of official-language minority communities. This project proposes to pay special attention to the bibliographic records of materials documenting the art practices of historically underrepresented groups, to ensure that these materials are discoverable and represented in epistemologically just ways in their metadata. For example, an effort will be made to ensure that the bibliographic records of items by Francophone artists include subject access in French.
This project will benefit the student by offering an extensive engagement with the history of Canadian art over the past 60+ years. It will also offer a hands-on experience of library management software and practices, cataloguing workflows, and of bibliographic metadata and issues in subject access and authority control.
Candidate Profile:
The successful candidate will be employed for 25 weeks on-site at the NSCAD University library during the Fall and winter of 2021/2022. Ideally, the candidate will be a recent graduate from a library technician diploma program, or an information management graduate program with appropriate technical experience preferably in cataloguing. As subject analysis is required for this position, the ideal incumbent will also have a background in the arts gained through formal education, or a demonstrated mix of interest and experience in the arts appropriate for pursuing future cataloguing work in an academic environment. The chosen candidate should be detail-oriented, have practical experience using Microsoft Excel, and have a strong interest in pursuing bibliographic work in a special collections environment.
Orientation and Training:
The incumbent will receive hands-on training and orientation from the Cataloguing Technician and the Collections and Systems Librarian. The first week of the project will be dedicated to introducing the student to the NSCAD Library, staff, and collections. Training this first week will also include bibliographic metadata standards and instruction on using NSCAD's library management system, and reviewing the inventory of the exhibitions catalogue special collection completed in a previous project. Records needing modification and copy cataloguing will also be reviewed at this time.
Part way through the project the student will also receive training in original cataloguing and subject analysis in preparation for cataloguing backlog exhibition catalogues. As the library will be preparing for an ILS migration, the incumbent will also receive training in issues related to migration in context with special collections materials.
Post Project Support:
The Supervisors will work with the Intern on job search strategies, cover letter and resume writing skills, and interview skills and strategies throughout the duration of the project. The incumbent will also be supported and encouraged to join applicable professional associations (relevant to their professional interests) to assist them in growing their network and take advantage of association activities devoted to new professionals. The incumbent will also be supported and encouraged to apply to present at a relevant conference and/or do a talk for the NSCAD community on the Exhibition Catalogue Collection if this is of interest. Additionally the incumbent will be encouraged to take advantage of local library related events, and artist talks and exhibitions to grow their subject knowledge.
NSCAD University is committed to employment equity and values a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our community are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and one reference in one pdf document to Lelland Reed: Collections and Systems Librarian at lreed@nscad.ca by Thursday, August 5th 2021.
Please note: Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements of the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations program. Candidates must:
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible)
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada;
- Be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment
- Be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment
- Will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) during the Young Canada Works (YCW) work assignment
- Are unemployed or underemployed
- A recent college or University graduate
-Are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program
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