Description:

Title: Books Cataloguer, Special Projects
Department: Registrar’s Office
Reports to: Registrar, in close consultation with the Assistant Curator of Collections
Status: Full time for 6 months or part time for one year, starting approximately May 1, 2015

Overview:
As part of the Access to the Collection project, which is digitizing records of artworks and archival materials in Gardner’s collection, the Museum is seeking a temporary Books Cataloguer to aid in the digitization of records relating to Isabella Stewart Gardner’s rare books and personal library (about 1,500 books) on display in the galleries. The cataloguer will then move on to catalogue Mrs. Gardner’s personal collection, formerly stored in the Vatichino, a gallery now closed to the public, and in her apartment on the 4th floor (another 2,000 books). These records will be linked to the EmBark database, the central depository of curatorial information and related documentation on the collection, and will support the museum’s public-focused activities. This collection of books’never before systematically analyzed and digitized’will allow for further insight into Mrs. Gardner’s collecting practices and her social and intellectual milieu.

The Books Cataloguer will create preliminary catalogue records for the rare books collection in EmBark using the museum’s card catalogue and related data from online library catalogues and other resources.

These records will be enhanced with information on bibliography, provenance, and scholarship. By assisting on this project the successful candidate will learn how to research and catalogue a wide variety of books dating from the 14th-20th centuries, and gain a privileged insight into Isabella Stewart Gardner’s little-known but important library.

Responsibilities:
• Under supervision of the Registrar, create basic catalogue records (author, title, and imprint) on the rare books collection in EmBark.
• Provide general administrative support to the rare books cataloguing project.

Qualifications:
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in art history, English, classics, history, or a related subject
• Interest in pursuing a postgraduate degree in library science, archives, or book conservation
• Reading knowledge of foreign languages preferred but not required
• Good research and analytical skills; attention to detail and a willingness to learn
• Strong computer skills required; basic knowledge of collections management systems preferred, but training will be provided
• Respect of confidentiality of sensitive collection and museum data is a must
How To Apply:

To Apply
Join our dedicated, talented team of employees, interns and volunteers, who are passionate about the work they do to support the Museum’s mission. To apply for this position, please use our online application’this is our preferred application method: https://isgm.applicantpro.com/jobs/209594.html. Both a cover letter and resume are required.

The Gardner Museum is committed to affording equal opportunities to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disabilities, marital status or sexual orientation. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply. The Museum is proud to embrace the goals of Commonwealth Compact (http://www.umb.edu/commonwealth_compact/about) and pledges to measure its progress toward those goals over time, using the Commonwealth Compact benchmarks.

We receive many resumes and kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. Those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.

Apply by:
May 31, 2015
About this Organization:
The Museum was the creation of Isabella Stewart Gardner (1840-1924) ‘for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.’ Since opening to the public in 1903, the Gardner has served as a center for ideas and life-long learning in its community – a tradition that is kept alive today through an array of interpretive, creative, educational, horticultural, artistic and scholarly programs.