Blog and Newsletter

Position description:

The collections assistant is responsible for completing the digitization and cataloging of assigned sections of the Brick Store Museum’s permanent archival collection of photographs according to the standards set forth by the Museum.

The collections assistant will work with the Collections Manager on assigned portions of the permanent archival collection, to digitize and catalogue the photographs appropriately using the Museum’s collections management software, PastPerfect.

This is a one-year, temporary grant-funded position made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Hourly rate: $15/hour.

Primary Responsibilities:

·         Catalogue and digitize assigned sections of Museum’s permanent archival collection via PastPerfect.

·         Assist in data migration and clean-up for files already in PastPerfect and/or in paper files.

·         Works closely with Collections Manager to develop PastPerfect collections database of archival material.

·         Safely handling and scanning archival photographs of varying sizes, ages, and qualities.

·         Attend weekly/monthly meetings to assess cataloguing progress.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in history, museum studies, library sciences, archival management, or related field. Must be knowledgeable in metadata standards and archival best practices. Excellent organizational and communication skills; knowledge of computer database PastPerfect5 and experience scanning various types of photographic material.  The ideal candidate will be a team player, technically proficient, ability to work independently with close attention to detail, accuracy and production expectations.

Work Environment:

Work is performed under typical office conditions in the archives and non-public collections storage areas.  The Project Archivist must be familiar with the operation of typical office computer systems and devices, telephones, standard office equipment, and copier/scanners. The work may involve exposure to dust and the ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds. Noise level is quiet, except for routine interactions during the work day.

TO APPLY: Email your cover letter and resume to edirector@brickstoremuseum.org by January 15, 2016.

The Wilson Museum is seeking three enthusiastic individuals to form an Education Team to work under the direction of the Executive Director and in collaboration with the staff. The Team will create and facilitate programming for public, private, and home schools; multi-generational and adult groups; and walk-in visitors. Responsibilities will also include maintaining publicity and media communication through the Museum’s webpage, Facebook, and e-newsletter; creating press releases, brochures, and posters; writing grants to support the education program; and developing a core group of volunteers and possible internships. These are one-year paid positions, approximately 24 hrs per week. If you have skills that complement a collaborative team working to expand the educational role of the Wilson Museum in its exciting period of growth, please send your resume and cover letter to Executive Director Patricia Hutchins, Wilson Museum, P.O. Box 196, Castine ME 04421 or email phutchins@wilsonmuseum.org. More information is available on request. Positions on the Education Team will remain open until filled.

POSITION VACANCY                                                           November 16, 2015

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America’s most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby’s rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 57 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of 1,850 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences.

Under the leadership of its new president, David A. Greene, Colby is building on this strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College’s deep liberal arts traditions. This new chapter includes plans for creating innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics. Colby invites applicants to apply for the position of:

 

ASSISTANT FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS

Museum of Art

Full-Time, 12-Month, Salaried, Exempt Administrative Appointment

Reporting to the Director of the Colby College Museum of Art, the Assistant for Special Projects will provide administrative assistance for the range of programs overseen by the Director’s Office. This position will work closely with the Museum Director to increase the Museum's prominence as one of the nation's leading liberal arts college museums. The Assistant for Special Projects will assist the Museum’s membership program, local and national cultivation events, stewardship communications, Board of Governors administration and communication, and additional strategic efforts. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in organizing member events including the Museum’s annual Summer Luncheon
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in local and national cultivation events in consultation with the Museum Director and Museum Director of Development
• Assist in creating highly effective solicitation and marketing materials to support Museum fundraising, including donor reports, funding proposals, and collateral materials
• Partner with College Advancement staff to develop effective stewardship strategies for Museum donors
• Monitor and track receipt of all gifts and pledges to ensure appropriate and timely response from the Office of the Director
• Serve as the key administrative support position for the Board of Governors, including scheduling conference calls and meetings, assembling board materials, and planning meeting logistics
• Working with the Director and Associate Director, advance strategic initiatives that have broad institutional impact, including but not limited to, diversity efforts and technology plans
• Cultivate strong working relationships with the Museum Board of Governors, College leadership, colleagues in Advancement and Alumni Relations, and Museum staff
• Participate in Museum staff meetings to build a strong understanding of the Museum’s priorities, exhibitions and collection
• Participate in professional development training programs to enhance expertise and skills
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
• Museum experience, preferably in an academic museum setting
• Appreciation of Colby’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate it
• Superb written and oral communication skills
• Excellent project management and organizational skills
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge and Embark or comparable relational database preferred, ability to learn and fully utilize the Museums’ databases required
• Ability to work collaboratively in a complex environment
• Ability to form and maintain positive relationships with a broad range of individuals and commitment to treating all members of the community with respect
• Must be willing to work and travel outside normal working hours, a Valid Driver’s License is required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety guidelines
• Excellent attention to detail, outstanding diplomacy and discretion
• An entrepreneurial spirit

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

This position reports to the Director of the Museum with a close working relationship with the Associate Director of the Museum and the Executive Assistant to the Director. This position has significant interaction with faculty, staff, students, alumni, outside constituencies, Museum Board of Governors, College leadership, and College and Student Advancement.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary.  Walking, standing, bending, twisting, and occasional lifting required. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary.  Travel is required.

Assistant for Special Projects - Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME  04901-8855

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual's qualifications to contribute to Colby's educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or military or veteran’s status.  Colby is an equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution’s education programs and activities.  Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby’s Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights.  We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our college.

For more information about the College, please visit our website:  www.colby.edu.

For additional information or to apply please visit:

http://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/humanresources/employment/asst_spec_proj_11_2015.cfm

The Donald Peterson Student Travel Award Subcommittee invites applications from archival science students and recent graduates of archival programs.  The award subsidizes travel to the SAA Annual Meeting for students presenting research or actively participating in an SAA-sponsored committee, section, or roundtable.

 

Award and application information follow below.  The application deadline is February 28, 2016.  If you have any questions regarding the award or the application process, please contact Rachel Howard, Donald Peterson Student Travel Award Committee Chair, at rachel.howard@louisville.edu.

Purpose and Criteria for Selection

Established in 2005, this award supports students and recent graduates from graduate archival programs within North America to attend SAA’s Annual Meeting. The goal of the scholarship is to stimulate greater participation in the activities of the Association by students and recent graduates. This participation must include either a presentation of research during the Annual Meeting or active participation in an SAA-sponsored committee, section, or roundtable.

 

Eligibility

Awarded to an SAA member in good standing who is currently enrolled in an archival education program or who graduated from an archival education program in the previous calendar year. Applications are evaluated based on the merits of the applicant’s essay and letters of recommendation.

 

Sponsor and Funding

The Society of American Archivists, in honor of Donald Peterson (1908-1999), New York lawyer and philatelist, whose deep appreciation of world history and preservation developed early through his stamp collecting and held true throughout his life.

 

Prize

Up to $1,000 in support of registration, travel, and accommodation expenses associated with the SAA Annual Meeting.

 

First Awarded

2006

 

Application Form and Documentation

Submit three copies of the following to the address on the application form:

• 1.      A 500-word essay describing the applicant's career goals and potential impact on the archival profession.

1. Unofficial transcript to verify student status or copy of graduate diploma.
2. Two letters of recommendation from individuals having definite knowledge of the applicant's qualifications.
3. Application form. 

Application Deadline

February 28, 2016

ATTN: Collection Managers and Family Historians
Don’t Miss this Opportunity! Full day workshop - $20!

WORKSHOP: CARE AND HANDLING OF FAMILY COLLECTIONS 
Sunday, November 15, 2015, 10-4 PM
Turner Memorial Library
39 2nd St
Presque Isle, Maine

Brought to you by the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Tribal Historic Preservation, the National Park Service Tribal Heritage Grant, and the Mark & Emily Turner Memorial Library.  Join us this Sunday for an introduction to the preservation and care of historic artifacts such as scrapbooks, letters, and journals. Participants will learn about paper production and the history of photography, in order to better understand why collections deteriorate. The instructor will discuss the ways that paper artifacts can be damaged, along with methods for mitigating these risks. Simple steps for identifying and correcting improper handling and storage will be addressed. Members of the community will have the opportunity to discuss their own history and artifacts with the group.

INSTRUCTOR: Eva Grizzard, Preservation Specialist, Northeast Document Conservation Center, www.nedcc.org

TO REGISTER: Please call the library at 207-764-2571. A small programming fee of $20.00 will be charged for each participant.

Posting: Contract Director for the association Maine Archives and Museums (MAM)

Position filled on a contract basis, renewed annually

 

MAM fosters a network of citizens and institutions in Maine who identify, collect, interpret, and/or provide access to materials relating to history, living collections, and culture. The MAM Director assists in these activities by managing the organization’s membership program, communications, and finances, and by assisting Board and Committee Members with programs and initiatives such as the annual conference, workshop series, and advocacy.

 

The Director operates as a contractor, setting their own schedule and providing their own work space and equipment.

Services to be provided:

·         Website updates and social media support (Twitter, Facebook)

·         Supporting member recruitment and retention, managing the membership database (Wild Apricot)

·         Financial management, including bookkeeping, accounts receivable/payable, and making deposits

·         Assisting the treasurer and finance committee with budgets and financial reports

·         Management of Board and committee meetings, including agenda distribution and taking of meeting minutes

·         Desktop publishing, writing and editing services (eg. board handbook, conference program, postcard mailers, fliers)

·         Answering and forwarding telephone, electronic and written requests for information about and services provided by MAM as appropriate

·         Work with the Advocacy Committee to advocate for issues of concern at the state level

·         Represent MAM in the National Association of State Museum Associations

·         Event/meeting planning, including hotel and conference room and catering reservations as needed, in cooperation with the Programs Committee

·         Conducting research and preparing statistical reports (e.g., conference feedback surveys, surveying the membership)

·         Filing appropriate organizational reports with state and federal agencies (eg. Annual Report/ IRS 990)

·         Maintaining MAM’s files and archives, including maintaining adequate back-ups of MAM related digital files in the Director’s care

·         Writing grants in conjunction with board committees and administering awards

·         In conjunction with the Board, identifying, cultivating and maintaining ties to community groups, associations, state agencies and other institutions to promote MAM’s programs, growth and members and/or secure cooperation, funding or assistance in programming.

·         Promoting MAM and establishing effective public relations through the preparation and presentation of public programs and workshops, working with the communications committee in drafting press releases, and representing MAM when speaking with media outlets

·         Administer the Maine Cultural Listserv (MCULTR)

 

Qualifications:

- Proven excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

- Demonstrated successful experience with word processing, database, and spreadsheet software, as well as social media platforms. Desktop publishing skills strongly preferred.

-Strong time-management skills.

-Experience in the museum, library, or archives field.

-MAM does not have a bricks-and mortar office, so the successful applicant must be able to provide his or her own office set up.

 

Compensation:

This is an annual contract position that pays $800 month (based on an average of 40 hours a month at $20/hour).

 

How to Apply:

E-mail applications only, please. Please save all documents as pdfs and send a letter of interest, c.v., contact information for three references to Raney Bench, MAM Board President, at director@sealcoveautomuseum.org no later than November 30, 2015.

The Cultural Emergency Resource Coalition <http://cercmaine.org/> (CERC:Maine) is reaching out to cultural institutions that would like to get help creating a disaster plan because we will be able to facilitate plans at 4-6 more cultural institutions!

As you may be aware, CERC conducted a facilitated planning project <http://cercmaine.org/fema-corps-facilitated-disaster-planning-project/> utilizing FEMA Corps teams in the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015, through a grant awarded to the Maine State Museum from Jane's Trust. Well, at the end of the project we found ourselves with a small balance of grant funds remaining, which will be used to hire contract facilitators to conduct 4-6 more facilitated disaster plans between now and March 31, 2016.

Do you want in? Have you intended to get a disaster plan together, but just felt like you lacked enough information or resources? Then apply online <http://cercmaine.org/cerc-online-application/> now for this final round of facilitated disaster planning and get the help you need creating a plan tailored to your organization's resources. The process will be exactly the same as before, except that we will be using contract facilitators instead of a FEMA Corps team.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until we have reached capacity. For more information about this project see the CERC web site <http://cercmaine.org/fema-corps-facilitated-disaster-planning-project/> or contact the CERC office at  CERC.Maine@gmail.com or (207) 287-6696.

The Council of State Archivists (CoSA) is pleased to announce the launch of the CoSA-Preservica Practical Digital Preservation Training Program with the first of many 1-hour webinars:

Achieving ISO Standards for your Digital Archive
Tuesday, October 27, 2015; 2-3pm Eastern

This webinar will explore the standards associated with digital preservation and building a trusted digital repository – with a focus on using tools and templates to audit your digital preservation capability (policy, governance and systems) today – and highlighting the steps to full ISO certification.

To make your $25 non-member payment and to register for the "Achieving ISO Standards for your Digital Archives" webinar, visit our website:

http://rc.statearchivists.org/Content/Electronic-Records/Education-Training/CoSA-Preservica-Practical-Digital-Preservation.aspx

The Maine State Museum has two 20-hour a week Museum Technician I positions in the Education Division.  The Maine State Museum is open five days a week (Tue-Sat).  These positions would be required to work some Saturdays. The Museum Technician I position primarily provides visitor services at the Museum Admission Desk, as well as within the exhibit galleries, by providing basic information about the exhibits on display, assisting with exhibit and visitor safety, and helping with exhibit maintenance.

This position also helps maintain visitation data and should be well-versed, and at ease with current computer applications.  The ideal candidate will have the ability to work as part of a team, adapt to changing situations, and work well under pressure. Work is performed under general supervision.

Two (2) years education and/or experience in appropriate museum specialty. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in visitor services within a cultural, library, or community center organization. Related work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Please submit a cover letter, resume’ and Direct Hire Application. This job posting and a Direct Hire application can be found on our website: http://www.maine.gov/fps/opportunities/   click the direct hire link. Applications must be received or postmarked by:  Friday, September 25, 2015.

Position:   Education Program Coordinator - Maine

Classification:Regular/Part Time (22 hrs/week)

Location: South Berwick, ME

Description:

This position promotes, schedules, coordinates, and evaluates all school and youth programs at the Sarah Orne Jewett House and Hamilton House in South Berwick and Castle Tucker and Nickels-Sortwell House in Wiscasset, as well as off-site programming at schools and youth organizations throughout Maine, in order to reach annual attendance, revenue, and strategic goals. In conjunction with institutional planning, works with local teachers and other education program coordinators to develop innovative school program curricula, and creates educational materials, including seasonal teacher-training materials, curriculum binders, and pre and post-visit activities and lessons. This position also assists the Education Program Manager to develop and manage the school program budget for the Maine sites.

Qualifications:

A minimum of a B.A. in American history, education, museum studies or relevant field.  MA preferred. A minimum of 4 years of job-related experience, including classroom or museum teaching experience, and the ability to work independently.  Problem solving ability and familiarity with team approach and multi-tasking. Strong communication skills. Experience managing a small budget.  Ability to drive and a valid driver’s license is required.

Date Available:September 15

Applications: 

Please send resume and cover letter to jobs@HistoricNewEngland.org or mail to Historic New England, 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, Attn: Human Resources.

EOE

 

Historic New England is a museum of cultural history that preserves and presents building, landscapes and objects reflecting New England life from the 17th century to the present. Historic New England is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to attract and support a diverse staff.

www.HistoricNewEngland.org