Conservation Internship in Digitisation (British Library, The National Archives, Bodleian Libraries) Salary is £21,000 pa Full Time (36 hours per week over 5 days) Fixed-Term for 2-years 9 months British Library, 9 months The National Archives, 6 months Bodleian Libraries, Oxford
This is a training internship designed to equip an emerging conservation professional with the skills necessary for developing a career in managing and supporting digitisation work. The internship will be co-hosted by The British Library, The National Archives and the Bodleian Libraries with each institution offering complementary but distinct experience over a 24 month period. It is intended that the internship will present the role of a Digitisation Conservator as a newly emerging discipline and will support a current skills gap in the sector. The internship is funded by the Clothworkers’ Foundation. The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s leading research libraries. The National Archives are the official archive and publisher for the UK government and guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents. Bodleian Libraries provide a world-leading library service to support the University of Oxford in research and education. All three institutions continually digitise collections to enable greater access and preservation for current and future users. Whilst digitisation involves creating a digital image of an object using a camera or scanner- this is but one element of a complex work flow. Specialist conservation support is also an integral component of the procedure. Condition assessments and surveys, conservation treatment that enables image capture, project planning involving numerous stakeholders and development of methods and equipment to digitise complex and non-standard items all fall into the remit of a Digitisation Conservator. The internship is available to conservators who have graduated in the last 2 years, have limited work experience in conservation, and who wish to develop their career in supporting digitisation. The successful candidates will have a book or paper conservation qualification(s) (an MA in conservation would be desirable). At the end of the internship you will be required give a presentation of your work and learning to the internship host institutions. The internship has a bursary that will be paid on a monthly basis and is subject to tax, and is open to those who have the right to live and work in the UK. The Job Role You will work as part of existing teams of Digitisation Conservators, Imaging specialists, Project Managers, Curatorial and subject specialist staff to plan and undertake digitisation of collection items at the British library, The National Archives, Bodleian Libraries. The projects will vary in size, from individual items to thousands of items and will cover a range of formats from books, archives, manuscripts and objects. Projects may be commercially funded, philanthropically funded or funded by the institution. You will work to agreed miles stones and deadlines for the projects. Main tasks To complete, under supervision, treatments on books, manuscripts and paper based items from the Collections at the host institutions selected for digitisation. This will include: Assessment of items to determine their suitability for digitisation. Developing and undertaking treatment to ensure the improved condition, longevity and accessibility of collection items to enable digitisation. Making decisions about appropriate procedures to use on each item, and therefore self-management to plan and organise work effectively in order to meet wider project timescales and workflows. Update project documentation, including databases and spreadsheets. Order collection items from storage areas to the imaging studio for assessment, preparation and digitisation, liaising with library assistants for delivery Assist imaging colleagues with queries regarding the collection care aspects of digitising collection items. Assist imaging colleagues when scanning or photographing fragile material. To role model collection security at all times and ensures collection items are stored securely. Liaise with the project managers and conservation managers to give regular updates on project progress and highlight any issues. To take responsibility for own continuous professional development and monitor own learning against an agreed learning plan. To keep accurate written records detailing treatments undertaken on each individual job, time spent, recording methodology, techniques and results of treatments. Assist in administrative work as/when required. Attend project meetings when required. The post holder will be required to participate in Conservation and project related public programmes, talking to members of the public and to represent the work of their studio or area, when required. Ensure that they have knowledge of and observe the appropriate COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations, and follow the recommendations for the safe handling and use of chemicals, materials and equipment and general health & safety controls in all areas of their work and to participate in/co-operate with the risk assessment process Expected to demonstrate a willingness to take on a range of tasks and to develop new skills, as appropriate, in own or other departments/directorates to support the delivery of the institutions services as required by line management Essential Criteria for the Internship Must have graduated in the last 2 years with a degree in book conservation or in paper conservation. Be able to demonstrate relevant conservation skills, including diagnostic, remedial and research skills. Be able to demonstrate the benefits of the internship to their professional development and interest in conservation for supporting digitisation Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate preferred treatment options and implications of these options, ability to write reports and to produce clear documentation Good time management skills in order to prioritise workloads and meet tight project deadlines An understanding of, and ability to apply the professional code of ethics to practical conservation projects Able to work in a team with other professional staff within communal studio space, contributing to the maintenance and management of shared equipment and space The right to work in the UK Good computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel Additional information The time spent in each institution will be divided as follows and in this order: British Library – 9 months The National Archives - 9 months Bodleian Libraries – 6 months A mentor who is involved with digitisation conservation projects and is experienced in the subject will be assigned to the intern in each institution, working closely with the intern and to monitor and evaluate progress. The intern will have regular 1:1 sessions with the mentor. An overall plan of work and major learning objectives will be agreed with the intern and 3 mentors at the outset but with detail of exact projects per institution to be decided more locally. The intern will be expected to use any annual leave due to them during their time at that particular institution and cannot carry it over. Candidates should note that the internship is for the period specified and does not lead to a permanent position at any of the host institutions. How to Apply Please email cordelia.roger...@bl.uk<mailto:cordelia.roger...@bl.uk> attaching the following: 1. A letter of interest, which should include how the internship will benefit you and what skills and experience that you will bring to the British Library reflecting the list of criteria for the internship as stated in the Internship Profile. 2. An up to date CV. 3. Two or three examples from your portfolio for items you have worked on. 4. Name and contact details of two referees. 5. A statement indicating that you are able to work in the UK. Official documentation will be required if you are short listed for interview. The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 4th March 2018. If your application is short-listed, you will be invited for interview to take place around Mid-March 2018. Dr Cordelia Rogerson Head of Collection Management South British Library 96 Euston Road London NW1 2DB ****************************************************************************************************************** Experience the British Library online at www.bl.uk<http://www.bl.uk/> The British Library’s latest Annual Report and Accounts : www.bl.uk/aboutus/annrep/index.html<http://www.bl.uk/aboutus/annrep/index.html> Help the British Library conserve the world's knowledge. Adopt a Book. www.bl.uk/adoptabook<http://www.bl.uk/adoptabook> The Library's St Pancras site is WiFi - enabled ***************************************************************************************************************** The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended for the addressee(s) only. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete this e-mail and notify the postmas...@bl.uk<mailto:postmas...@bl.uk> : The contents of this e-mail must not be disclosed or copied without the sender's consent. The statements and opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the British Library. The British Library does not take any responsibility for the views of the author. ***************************************************************************************************************** Think before you print ****** Unsubscribe by sending a message to consdistlist-le...@cool.conservation-us.org Searchable archives: http://cool.conservation-us.org/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/
