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
- Accessioning and marking of archival material to recognised Museum Accreditation standards.
- Researching of archival items in order to support data entry.
- Inputting of data into MODES Complete (Museum Cataloguing System)
- Ensuring documentation is carried out in accordance with Museum Accreditation standards.
- Where appropriate, scanning or photographing items in line with Museum Accreditation standards.
- Working with voluntary staff to contribute to the sorting and organizing of the archives
- Ensuring the physical care and environmental protection of archival material. Packaging and re-packaging as required, ensuring conservation standards are met.
Person Specification
| Requirement | Essential | Desirable |
| Qualifications | ||
| Museum/Heritage related qualification | X | |
| Knowledge/Experience | ||
| Experience of using MODES museum cataloguing database | X | |
| Familiarity with current descriptive and authority standards for archives | X | |
| Experience of working with volunteers | X | |
| Knowledge of conservation and preservation techniques | X | |
| Knowledge of scanning, digital photography and image manipulation | X | |
| Skills/Aptitudes | ||
| Good oral and written communication skills | X | |
| Knowledge of places and history associated with King’s Lynn | X | |
| Ability to work independently and as part of a team | X | |
| Ability to plan and prioritise work and meet deadlines | X | |
| Ability to work methodically and accurately | X | |
| Initiative and a positive and enthusiastic approach to work | X | |
| 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