Posts related to Jobs and Internships on the ARSC/AAA message board. http://arsc-aaa.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:03:34 -0500 5 http://arsc-aaa.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=563 Organization: National Symphony Orchestra
Type of Work: Full-time, Contract (1-year term)
Salary: $ 50,000 per annum
Start Date: November 2009
Contact Person: Warren Williams, Manager of Community Relations - wgwilliams@kennedy-center.org

POSITION SUMMARY
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is seeking an experienced Archival Consultant to lead a comprehensive assessment of the Orchestra’s archival collection. Project assignments include inventory, appraisal, identifying preservation priorities, creating data/records management and access policies, advising on appropriate archival database software, managing the Archival Project Assistant and Sound Preservation Consultant, training NSO staff and volunteers, providing written reports and performing other project-related

The goals of this project are to:
*organize NSO’s historical collection;
*preserve the collection’s most valuable items; and
*make the collection more accessible to the public.


PROJECT RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROPOSED TIMELINE

November 2009 – February 2010

The Lead Archival Consultant, together with Archival Project Assistant and Sound Preservation Consultant, will survey NSO’s existing historical materials and records to obtain an overview of the scale and scope of the collection. The Lead Consultant will review NSO’s library annex, Iron
Mountain (off-site storage facility) and the Library of Congress, providing reports detailing the subject matter and recommendations for which items could be discarded. The Lead Consultant will assess the volume of records for additional archival storage, as well as the rate at which records are likely to be transferred to archival storage.

The Lead Consultant will work with the Project Assistant, as well as NSO’s Manager of Community Relations and Special Projects Coordinator to review NSO’s existing archives data management systems, providing information about the collection, and consulting the Executive Director to answer any institutional questions. The Lead Consultant will determine the level of processing the records should receive. The Lead Consultant will join the Project Assistant and NSO’s Manager of Community Relations on visits other orchestra archives to consider best practices. The Lead Archival Consultant will supervise and guide volunteers in sorting/inventorying items and processing collections.


March 2010 – June 2010

The Lead Consultant, together with the Project Assistant, will complete a comprehensive inventory of the collection, determining priorities and assigning value, including an appraisal of the physical
condition of the records. The Lead Consultant will identify records needing special attention, such as deteriorating audio/visual materials, photos or paper which should be preserved, scanned, or placed in mylar sleeves. The Lead Consultant will determine whether any records should be microfilmed,
repaired, or transferred to more durable formats.

The Lead Consultant will work with the NSO Librarian and Managing Director for Press to obtain institutional information and to connect with NSO historians as needed. The Lead Consultant will help identify any possible periods which may lack documentation and determine if preparing an oral
history program would be needed.

The Lead Consultant will train the NSO Manager of Community Relations, Special Projects Coordinator and volunteers for ongoing management and data entry.

The Lead Consultant will determine an optimal archival cataloguing system and assign priorities for reevaluating NSO’s current systems. The Lead Consultant will develop appropriate taxonomy and metadata frameworks.

The Lead Consultant will work with the Chief Information Officer to determine the most efficient and effective archival database software for records management.

The Lead Consultant will continue inventorying, collection processing and conducting preservation assessments as needed.

July 2010 - August 2010
The Lead Consultant, working with the Project Assistant, will help create a records management policy in tandem with best practices and the existing retention schedule of the Kennedy Center. The Lead Consultant will make recommendations regarding reorganization of the archives storage room
and additional storage needs.

The Lead Consultant will continue inventorying, collection processing and conducting preservation assessments as needed.

September 2010

The Lead Consultant will lead in completing a comprehensive preservation needs assessment and inventory with documented recommendations for implementation. The Lead Consultant will help establish an improved records management system, as well as written access and reference policies for appropriate public use.


KNOWLEDGE, CRITICAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree in archival or library science
Demonstrated knowledge of archival procedures to analyze and process an orchestra’s archival collection, including appraisal, review, description, preservation and reference of records in a variety of media
Knowledge of archival standards
Knowledge of classical music highly desired
Experience working with databases and archival software
Ability to identify intellectual property issues which may arise from developing archival software
Experience with records management
Ability to train staff and volunteers]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:21:32 -0500 http://arsc-aaa.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=563