Vacancy – Archive Cataloguing Assistant

The Pat Midgley Research Centre

True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum, King’s Lynn

Job Title: Archive Cataloguing Assistant

Location: The Pat Midgley Research Centre, True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum, North Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1QW

Responsible to: Museum Manager

Salary: £15,600 pro rata

Hours: 15 hours per week (temporary position -16 weeks)

Background

True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum was founded in 1991 by Pat Midgley to preserve the last fisherfolk cottages and yard in King’s Lynn. The Museum’s collections relate not just to the lost fisherfolk community of the North End, but also to local and county history. The True’s Yard Research Centre was opened in 2012 and renamed the Pat Midgley Research Centre in memory of the Museum’s founder in 2014. The Centre contains over 8,000 photographs and documents, a rich reference library at the service of researchers (including BA dissertations), family history files (containing letters and photographs), a Sound Archive containing personally-recorded audio files and copies of primary sources (such as census returns and records from both St Nicholas’ Chapel and St Margaret’s Church). It also includes the important archives of the Eastern Sea Fisheries (1890s-1970s).

PMRC collections regularly inform the Museum’s popular biannual lecture series, True’s Talks, and its programme of temporary exhibitions. However, a substantial amount of photographs, books and documents are still to be catalogued and digitized; to facilitate comprehensive access to the archival collection for both staff and public. Ultimately the digitised collection will be added to the True’s Yard website.

The person appointed will be part of a team of professional staff including the Museum Manager, the Deputy Manager and the School’s Liaison Officer; and a number of volunteers are also attached to the PMRC.

Further details about the Museum and the Pat Midgley Research Centre may be found on the True’s Yard Fisherfolk Museum website at www.truesyard.co.uk

Job Purpose

The post-holder will be involved in all aspects of computerised cataloguing and digitisation of the archival collection, as part of a wider Heritage Lottery Funded Project.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Accessioning and marking of archival material to recognised Museum Accreditation standards.

 

  1. Researching of archival items in order to support data entry.

 

  1. Inputting of data into MODES Complete (Museum Cataloguing System)

 

  1. Ensuring documentation is carried out in accordance with Museum Accreditation standards.

 

  1. Where appropriate, scanning or photographing items in line with Museum Accreditation standards.

 

  1. Working with voluntary staff to contribute to the sorting and organizing of the archives

 

  1. Ensuring the physical care and environmental protection of archival material. Packaging and re-packaging as required, ensuring conservation standards are met.

 

 

Person Specification

RequirementEssentialDesirable
Qualifications
Museum/Heritage related qualificationX
Knowledge/Experience
Experience of using MODES museum cataloguing databaseX 
Familiarity with current descriptive and authority standards for archives X
Experience of working with volunteersX
Knowledge of conservation and preservation techniquesX
Knowledge of scanning, digital photography and image manipulationX 
Skills/Aptitudes
Good oral and written communication skillsX
Knowledge of places and history associated with King’s LynnX
Ability to work independently and as part of a teamX 
Ability to plan and prioritise work and meet deadlines 

X

Ability to work methodically and accuratelyX
Initiative and a positive and enthusiastic approach to workX 
Other
The post may involve working on a Saturday  

 

Conditions of Employment

The salary is £15,600 pro rata and the contract is for 16 weeks.

15 hours per week over 2 days: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, (days to be determined)

Annual leave entitlement is 5.6 weeks pro rata. The leave year will run from the start of the contract.

 

Please email or call for an application form

Closing date for applications: 12th September 2017

Interviews: 15th Sept 2017