Processing Archivist​/Photography Cataloger

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Work type: Faculty
- Librarian, Temporary (Hourly)
Location: UMBC Campus
Categories: Library

Department:

Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Special Collections at the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery at UMBC, is seeking a skilled part-time Processing Archivist/Photography Cataloger (General Associate) to support the preservation, arrangement, description, and access of physical and born-digital archival collections of art photography and related materials from the Kerry Coppin collection, Stephen Marc collection, and Robert Fichter collection.

This position will support archival processing projects, selected item-level cataloging, metadata creation, digital initiatives, and preservation activities involving manuscripts, photographs, audiovisual materials, and digital collections.

The ideal candidate will possess strong archival processing and descriptive expertise with particular knowledge of photography, experience working in museum, research, or special collections environments, and familiarity with archival standards and digitization workflows within an academic, archival, or museum setting.

Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Arrange, describe, and process archival photographic, manuscript, and digital collections in accordance with professional standards and local procedures.
• Generate a comprehensive processing plan for archival and photographic collections, including researching artists’ biographies, and selected item-level descriptive records.
• Create and maintain archival finding aids, metadata records, and collection documentation using archival content management systems and databases.
• Apply archival standards such as DACS, EAD, Dublin Core, and controlled vocabularies to support discovery and access.
• Perform rehousing, labeling, inventory control, and collections maintenance activities for archival and special collections materials.
• Support digitization initiatives by preparing materials for scanning, conducting quality review, and creating or validating metadata for digital assets.
• Conduct preservation assessments and recommend appropriate housing and stabilization procedures for archival materials.
• Prepare reports, statistics, and project documentation related to archival processing, digitization, and collections activities.
• Assist with outreach activities related to archival collections.
• Adhere to handling, information security, and preservation best practices while working with sensitive or historically significant collections.

Required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS/MLS) from an ALA-accredited institution with coursework or specialization in archival studies or special collections; OR Master’s degree in Art History, History, Museum Studies, Archival Studies, Public History, or a related discipline with demonstrated archival training.
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional archival processing, description, museum cataloging, or special collections experience in a library, archives, museum, or academic environment. Early career archivists and collections management specialists are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience arranging and describing archival collections using DACS and EAD standards.
• Experience creating archival metadata and collection records using archival management systems or integrated library systems such as Past Perfect.
• Experience working with photographic collections.
• Knowledge of archival preservation principles, collections care practices, and proper handling procedures for photographs and other rare and fragile materials.
• Experience supporting digitization projects and digital collections workflows.
• Strong…