Special Collections Assistant
- Program stream:
- Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage
- Job title:
- Special Collections Assistant
- Organization name:
- The Blue Mountains Public Library [includes Craigleith Heritage Depot]
- Job location:
- Thornbury, Ontario
- Length of assignment:
- 2021-07-05 to 2021-12-06 (27 weeks)
- Hourly wage:
- $16.44
This position will work in a museum under the supervision of the Museum Curator and guided by museum standards. Training in museum standards, collection care, research methodology, OH & S and customer service will be provided.
The Craigleith Heritage Depot houses an archives, museum and library. It collects, preserves, researches, exhibits and educates. This position will have opportunities to work in all areas of the museum through projects assigned that include research, programming, exhibition, collection records development, collection storage and conservation.
The intern will work with archives, artifacts, intangible resources relating to the history of the Town of The Blue Mountains. This includes bringing forward significant stories of people, places, and events that have shaped the community, the region the province and the country. It includes resources from the original indigenous communities to current day.
Research includes projects relating to collection records and conservation, public requests and exhibitions. The individual will create finding aids, reports, and documentation to support the collection, exhibition and research requests. The intern will utilize in-house primary and secondary research materials as well as resources from other museums, libraries and organizations. The intern will research to create two outreach exhibits for the library.
The intern will assist with the documentation of existing and past exhibits through Past Perfect software. This will include photographing exhibits, condition reporting on artifacts in permanent exhibits, tracking conservation standards in galleries, (temperature, humidity, lighting) and creating museum mounts for artifacts. Exhibits will be updated with new resources and the replacement of artifacts reflecting the exhibit theme. The Indigenous exhibit will be realigned to improve access to our award winning a short documentary film and Virtual Reality headset. Work will include documentation, research and hands-on creation of exhibit components both in-house and also reflected through our social media and on-line exhibits.
Collection records development, collection storage and control will focus on updating and improving collections records and conservation. This includes using Past Perfect software for records development and management, tracking artifact location and access use. In addition, the museum is undergoing storage upgrades and the intern will assist with the packing, storage and transfer, documentation of the collection as needed. Preventative conservation measures will be utilized and documented. The intern will assist with the development of new protocols for collection care and emergency management.
The intern will have the opportunity to work with the general public through programming and interpretation. They will have scheduled times at the front desk to welcome visitors, give interpretation and document visitor statistics and engagement.
This project will create tangible assets to both the organization, the intern and the community. The organization will benefit from the preservation of the information, improved accessibility of information and for the creation and documentation of exhibitions. The improvements in exhibit and collection care for the collection with the museum mounts and storage improvements. The organization will have additional resources to draw upon for future work in research, exhibition, collection development and programming.
The community will have new resources made available to them through exhibition (in-house and on-line), research resources and improvements in long-term preservation of the community collection. This project will communicate directly to the public through our social media, on-about this resource through media and marketing.
The intern will have opportunities to promote their skills and abilities through networks and meetings with museums archives and libraries. The project will include opportunities to refine communication skills, public service and presentation skills. The intern will gain valuable insight into archival and museum practices in management and preservation of museum and archival collections. The completion of an exhibition upgrade project and its on-line counterpart. The intern will development their knowledge base and skills set.
The Museum Collections Assistant-Intern, will have individual and group projects.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Work on designated tasks such as digitization and metadata data entry for incoming artifacts and archival materials, for use in our on-line exhibits, social media and research requests
• Creates an in-house exhibits
• Works with conservation techniques
• Provides introduction and interpretation to the public as a welcome to the museum, provides assistance to the public in using multi-media and hands on materials in the galleries.
• Works with volunteers assisting with events and research projects
• Assist with museum and library programs and special events, in particular with our 25th anniversary
• Communicate with patrons and the public in an effective and courteous manner regarding programs, policies, and procedures of the library
• Assists visitors with research requests, creates a research database for ongoing visitor research projects. This will assist returning researchers and providing insight into visitor needs.
• Tracks statistics and documents work and updates resources as needed, including front desk binder, research binder, vertical files and museum records.
Education and Experience:
• Able to understand and follow directions
• Word processing, spreadsheet and database computer skills required
• Must have good organizational skills to maintain records and ensure reports are completed in a timely manner
• Responsible for the basic care and proper usage of office equipment
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Past Perfect, Microsoft Office Suite, Photoshop Elements, Past Perfect, digital camera and scanner
• Recent graduate of university degree or college diploma in one or more of the following museology, history, archaeology, arts, geography, English, communications, education, public programming, media studies, administration, IT, library, archives or conservation practices.
• History, Archaeology, Arts, Museum Studies, Archival or Information Management, Gallery and Museum, English, or Communication post-secondary programme graduate.
• Comfort in public speaking an asset
• Certified CPR is an asset
• The successful candidate must be an enthusiastic, reliable team player. This position works closely with the other museum and library staff to support the general operation of the library.
Recruitment
• The BMPL will post this position for no less than two weeks on the Town of The Blue Mountains Opportunities page as well as the YCW page. The call of applicants will also be released to academic institutions and their relevant departments, and/or alumni offices, as well as professional association listserves.
• Only those meeting the criteria will be shortlisted for an interview. Interviews are face-to-face or by zoom, depending on pandemic limitations.
• The candidate must complete the YCW screening and self-identify that they meet the criteria prior to an interview being offered. Only interviews will be offered to those who complete the YCW statement of Interest.
• Interviews will be a combination of experience and scenario scored questions. Responses will be totalled and ranked, and will determine the offer list.
• Offers will be conditional on YCW approval of candidate eligibility.
This position is funded in part through Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage. An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:
• are 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);
• are legally entitled to work in Canada;
• are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
• are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment;
• will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the program;
• are unemployed or underemployed;
• are a college or university graduate; and
• are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program.
Note: Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs.
Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/careers-heritage-graduates.html
The Blue Mountains Public Library-Craigleith Heritage Depot is an equal opportunity employer. Wage will be set according to the Town's 2021 Intern Grid and be based on years of degree/diploma.
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