AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
JOB DESCRIPTION
Date: April 2010
Department: Library & Archives
Title: Part-time PHOTO & REFERENCE ARCHIVIST
Schedule: P/T 20hrs p/w (Reading Room open Mon. 9:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.;
Tu-Th 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Supervisor’s Title: Director of Library and Archives
SUMMARY: The Photo & Reference Archivist will work part-time at the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS). The position is focused on inquiries and collection retrieval for patrons of AJHS. The Photo & Reference Archivist will be the primary respondent to patron requests for photograph, general archival and digital copy requests; and, in this capacity, handles both the physical photographic image and any connected databases, fulfills reference requests for use of images and handles copyright issues in regards to images.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (approx. 80%):
- Responds to general reference questions by phone and e-mail using library and archival collections
- Provides reference assistance and access to the AJHS photographs and visual materials holdings as well as reproduction services, i.e., scanning of collections.
- Retrieves and reshelves collections materials from/to the AJHS stacks
- Processes photographic collections, creates their finding aids and maintains photographic databases
- Provides visual materials and picture research for all AJHS publications (print and online), website, exhibits and events
- Manages the photographic rights process and understands and applies copyright
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES (approx. 20%):
- Catalogs AJHS photographic holdings in the Digitool online database
- Catalogs collections and images using MARC and DACS Standards using ALEPH and Getty Thesauri
- Trains staff and volunteers in photographic use and databases as needed
- Other duties as assigned
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Training:
MLS, MLIS in Library or Information Science with an archives concentration or
MA in History with an archives concentration
Work Experience: At least six months of work in a historical society, academic, public or image library with a focus on photographic issues and collections; some Yiddish or Hebrew and knowledge of American and American-Jewish history preferred but not required.
Skills and Abilities:
- Experience using Ex-Libris’ ALEPH system or another OPAC;
- Proficiency in image databases, and metadata standards;
- Knowledge of MS Word, Access, Excel, and Powerpoint;
- Understanding of Encoded Archival Description, MARC, and DACS, standards;
- Understanding of database construction;
- Reliability and accuracy in maintaining records;
- Excellent communication skills and good rapport with colleagues;
- Able to complete tasks in a reasonable amount of time and able to multitask;
- Customer service skills: ability to juggle several reference inquiries or projects at once; ability to follow-through to conclude a reference transaction.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Physical Demands: Ability to lift 20-40 lbs; ability to travel off-site storage locations
Special Environmental Factors: Occasional encounters with mold and dust
Please send resumes by April 23 to:
jobs@ajhs.org / Subject: PART-TIME REFERENCE
Founded in 1892, the American Jewish Historical Society is the oldest national ethnic historical organization in the United States with over 20 million documents and 40,000 books. The Society’s library, archives, photograph, and art and artifacts collections document 350 years of the American Jewish experience.
American Jewish Historical Society is an equal opportunity employer.
