Blog and Newsletter

LibraryThing for Libraries, LibraryThing's groundbreaking suite of
catalog enhancements, is getting bigger--and we need help!

The core skills are organization and communication. You need a mind like
a steel trap. You also need to be very comfortable with computers. A
library or information-science degree is a big plus.

We're a fun company, with cool technology and room to grow.

We're accepting applications from everywhere. All things being equal
we'll favor employees in the Northeast. But standouts elsewhere will
definitely be considered.

Read more about it here:
http://www.librarything.com/blogs/thingology/2012/10/hiring-customer-support-for-librarything-for-libraries/

 

Saco, Maineundefined--Leslie Rounds, Executive Director of the Dyer Library and Saco Museum, announced today that Tara Vose Raiselis has been selected as the new director of the Saco Museum. She most recently served as Curator and Manager of Collections at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she worked for twelve years. Both her BA and MA are in History from Pennsylvania State University and she is ABD from the College of William and Mary, also in History.  While at William and Mary, Ms. Raiselis was in the joint Museum Studies program with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where she interned in the Programs, Collections and Historic Trades Departments. Prior to moving to New England she worked as Curator of the History Media Center at the University of Delaware.

 

Through avocation and practice, Ms. Raiselis brings to her new position a wealth of knowledge of material culture and decorative arts. She is a Proprietor of the Portsmouth Athenaeum, serves as a board member for two house museums in New Hampshire, is a member of the China Students Club of Boston and the Costume Society of America, and a juror for Early American Life magazine's annual Directory of Traditional Crafts. Ms. Raiselis lives in southern Maine.

 

Leslie Rounds said, "We're very pleased to have Tara join our staff. We believe that, under her dynamic leadership, the Saco Museum is going to continue with the exciting progress that we have been enjoying." Ms. Raiselis begins her new position on October 29th where her first two major projects will be the 2012 Festival of Trees in November and December, 2012, and the upcoming exhibit of Maine schoolgirl needlework, "I My Needle Ply With Skill" that opens January 6, 2013.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

(207) 283-3861 general information

Website: www.dyerlibrarysacomuseum.org

Email: lrounds@dyer.lib.me.us (for library information) or education@sacomuseum.org (for museum/program information).

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Effective November 1, 2012, Maine Archives and Museums will move from a traditional calendar-year membership format to “rolling” membership, allowing members to enjoy a full 12 months of membership benefits no matter what time of year they join the organization.  Traditionally, MAM’s membership year ran from January 1 to December 31.  The new rolling membership will allow member benefits to run for a full calendar year from the date of enrollment.  “We are excited to offer the rolling membership option to our members,” said MAM President Jay Adams.  “This is just one of the many benefits resulting from our decision last year to upgrade to new membership management software.”  According to Adams, the new software allows for easy tracking of memberships no matter when members join.  This is a real benefit to organizations that close during the winter season and renew when they reopen in late spring each year.  “Essentially, those members who were closed in the off-season would miss the renewal drive held every January and could, as a result, miss several months of newsletters and benefits,” explained Candace Kanes, who sits on MAM’s membership committee.  “It makes sense to let members join when it suits their calendar and budget year.  It allows them to take advantage of a full year of MAM benefits, including the newsletter, email updates, seasonal workshops, and the like.”  The change will have no impact on current members and requires no action by current members.  MAM’s membership management software monitors all renewal dates and automatically sends electronic updates to members to inform them of pending expiration dates and renewal procedures.   When members renew, their membership will be in effect for one year from the date their renewal is processed.  For more information on MAM’s rolling membership visit www.MaineMuseums.org or email info@MaineMuseums.org.

With any luck, Hurricane Sandy has left your organization unscathed.  But if you have storm damage or flooding, there is help.

Approximately 75 organizations in communities of varying sizes across the
country will be selected to participate in The Big Read from September 2013
through June 2014. Grants may range from $2500 to $20,000 and include a
dollar for dollar match requirement.

Community organizations participating in The Big Read develop and produce
community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by
diverse audiences. Activities focus on one book or poet from The Big Read
Library.

For more information, see http://www.neabigread.org/application_process.php.

The ALA Public Programs Office is now accepting nominations for the ALA
Excellence in Library Programming Award, sponsored by the ALA Cultural
Communities Fund. The award will recognize a library that demonstrates
excellence in library programming by developing and presenting a cultural or
thematic program or program series during the previous year (September 1,
2011 - August 31, 2012). The Award consists of $5,000 and a citation of
achievement, to be presented during the ALA Award Presentation at the 2013
ALA Annual Conference. Applications and award guidelines are available at
http://www.ala.org/programming/programmingexcellence. To be considered,
nominations must be received by December 1.

In recognition that programming is an essential part of service delivery in
all types of libraries, school, public, academic, and special libraries are
all eligible. The nominated program/series must have been for a public
audience. The nominated cultural/thematic program should be one that
features the humanities, sciences, arts, creative arts, community and civic
engagement programs, as well as programs in conjunction with exhibitions,
community-wide reading programs, or other community-wide programs. The
nominated program should have engaged the community in planning, sponsorship
and/or active participation, addressed an identified community need, and
have had a measurable impact.

With questions, please contact the ALA Public Programs Office,
publicprograms@ala.org or 800-545-2433 x5045.

DIRECT HIRE CAREER OPPORTUNITY

STATE OF MAINE

Maine State Museum

 

Museum Technician I

 Part-Time 20 hours weekly

Salary Range: $12.53 - $16.43/hourly

Class Code:  3121                  Range: 15

 

Value of State paid Dental Insurance:  $13.69 bi-weekly

*Value of State-paid Health Insurance

Level 1:         100% State Contribution (employee pays nothing):                    $363.77 bi-weekly

Level 2:         95% State Contribution (employee pays 5%):                            $345.58 biweekly

Level 3:          90% State Contribution (employee pays 10%):                          $327.39 biweekly

Level 4:          85% State Contribution (employee pays 15%):                          $309.20 biweekly

* The level of the actual value of state paid Health Insurance will be based on the employee's

wage rate and status with regard to the health credit premium program as of July 1, 2011.  Value of State’s share of employee retirement contribution = 11.54% of salary for BU position; 16.54% of salary for X position.

                       

Date Issued:   September 28, 2012                           Date Closed: October 19, 2012

PURPOST OF ANNOUNCEMENT:

The Maine State Museum has a 20 hour a week position for a Museum Technician I position in their Education Division.  The Maine State Museum is opened seven days a week and this position would be required to work some weekend hours.

DESCRIPTION:

This is technical services work providing interpretation of the collections on display in both formal and informal settings.  Work involves disseminating information and presenting gallery education programs.  Work is performed under general supervision.

REPRESENTATIVE TASKS:

·         Inspects exhibit galleries and related areas in order to assure visitor safety

·         Provides active interpretation of the exhibits to general visitors and school group

·         Presents (teaches) formal education programs relating to Maine natural history, prehistory and/or social history

·         Assists in the planning and presentation of scheduled special events

• Provides maintenance for the exhibit galleries and assists with the operation of audio-visual presentations.

·         Assists with scheduling group visits to the museum and helps to manage the scheduling database

·         Provides security for the collection on display in the exhibit galleries

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

·         Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques used in assigned specialty. (Education /interpretation)

·         Knowledge of applicable security rules and safety codes.

·         Ability to interact in a positive manner with visitors of different ages and abilities.

·         Ability to maintain facilities

·         Ability to work independently

·         Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Two (2) years education and/or experience in appropriate museum specialty.  Preference will be given to applicants with experience teaching in a formal or informal educational setting.

HOW TO APPLY:  Qualified candidates should send resume, direct hire application, and letter of interest to Julie Cotnoir, Personnel Officer, General Government Service Center, 74 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333, Telephone (207) 624-7417.  Direct Hire applications are available at the General Government Service Center in Augusta, all Maine Career Center Offices, and on the General Government Service Center web site at: http://www.maine.gov/fps/opportunities. 

Maine State Government is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer-diverse candidates encouraged to apply.  We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Maine Archives and Museums seeks dedicated, enthusiastic professionals to serve on its board for two-year terms starting January, 2013.  This is an amazing opportunity to become more deeply involved in Maine's community of collecting institutions--to network, gain new skills, connect with other organizations, and to help strengthen our shared resources.