Archives & Special Collections Assistant
- Program stream:
- Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
- Job title:
- Archives & Special Collections Assistant
- Organization name:
- Toronto Metropolitan University Libraries
- Job location:
- Toronto, Ontario
- Length of assignment:
- 2022-05-02 to 2022-08-16 (16 weeks)
- Hourly wage:
- $25.00
The Archives & Special Collections Department at the Ryerson University Library and Archives is looking for a candidate for the position of Archives and Special Collections Assistant. The position will run for 16 weeks, commencing on May 11th and running until August 28th at a salary rate of $25/hour. The Archives and Special Collections department is located on the 4th floor of the Ryerson University Library, in downtown Toronto.
The successful candidate will process a new collection of architectural images and work closely with both the Curatorial Specialist and the Special Collections librarian/Archivist.
Duties will include processing, arrangement and description, background research on a collection of photographic images, and digitization and printing of exhibition prints. As much of the following as time allows will be completed:
Basic cleaning, condition assessment, and rehousing of collection items
Arrangement and creation of file-level descriptive records in the collection database (AtoM)
Research and creation of authority records for creators (the photographer, architects, and designers)
High resolution digitization, processing, and printing of select materials for exhibition
Research and writing of didactic material for the exhibition
Creation of a web presence related to the material and the exhibition, using programs such as OMEKA and WordPress
Presentation about the collection to the Library and broader Ryerson community on work completed and highlights of the collection
The scope of the project will include one collection, a recent acquisition of photographs and negatives dating from the 1940’s - 1990’s. The collection contains negatives, photographs, and slides, depicting street scenes of Toronto, portraits, and a large collection of photographs of jazz musicians. The collection represents the work of one photographer.
This summer project will give a current graduate student interested in specializing in photographic collections in Libraries, Museums, and Archives hands-on experience processing, researching and cataloguing photographic images in an archival context. The student will have the opportunity to manage the processing of a collection from start to finish, including managing project workflows, maintaining intellectual organization, conducting research, with a focus on making the collection accessible to the University community and the public through online description and digitization. The position will also provide opportunities to present the candidate’s research, through online , writing, and presentation.
After completion of the summer project, the Ryerson Library will provide letters of reference that accurately reflect the student’s work within the Special Collections Department.
The ideal candidate is a current student in a graduate program in Film & Photography Preservation and Collections Management, Library and Information Science, Archival Science, Museums studies, or equivalent. A demonstrated focus on, and personal interest in the study of photographic collections, including exhibitions, and the attendant preservation and deterioration issues is required. An interest in, and knowledge of, the history of Torontois preferred. Ability to read cursive handwriting is required.
The candidate should exhibit familiarity with descriptive standards, preferably Rules for Archival Description, as well as use of classification standards and controlled vocabularies.
Familiarity with digitization and printing hardware and software and general office software (including Google drive) is required. Previous experience with collections management database software (like AtoM) preferred.
Candidates must have demonstrated strong research and writing skills and have the ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and plan workflows carefully to complete projects in a set time.
Ryerson University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity
Candidates must submit proof of their eligibility for the Young Canada Works program prior to the interview process. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Ryerson University is an equal opportunity employer, strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.
Applications should be sent to Alison Skyrme, Special Collections Librarian/Interim Archivist at Ryerson University Library: askyrme@ryerson.ca, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B2K3
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