Blithewold Archival Photograph Scanning Assistant
Job Description
Organization: Blithewold Gardens and Arboretum
Positions Available: 1-2 students
Hours: 3-4 hour shifts preferably one shift for continuity
Primary(highly preferred) : Tuesday afternoons 1pm-4/5pm Secondary: Mondays 1pm-4/5pm
Position Overview:
The Archival Photograph Scanning Assistant will assist in the digitization and preservation of historical photographic collections. This role involves scanning, cataloging, and organizing photographs to ensure their long-term preservation and accessibility.
The position is ideal for students interested in archival science, history, or library and information science.
Key Responsibilities
- Photograph Scanning: Operate scanners to digitize photographic materials, ensuring high resolution and color accuracy.
- File Management: Save scanned images in appropriate file formats and resolutions; organize files in a digital archive system according to established guidelines.
- Cataloging: Create and update metadata for scanned images, including descriptions, dates, and other relevant information to facilitate easy retrieval.
- Preservation: Assist in the handling and care of original photographic materials, following best practices for archival preservation.
- Quality Control: Review scanned images for quality and completeness, making corrections or rescanning as necessary.
- Assistance with Projects: Support additional archival projects or tasks as needed, including assisting with physical and digital inventory and organizing archival materials.
Qualifications
- Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy and quality in scanning and metadata entry.
- Technical Skills: Familiarity with image scanning software and basic photo editing tools is preferred. Training will be provided.
- Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and maintain organized digital and physical files.
- Communication: Good verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with the team and documenting progress.
- Team Oriented – ability to work independently on projects but also within a small team dynamic, take direction from others, update team on project status etc.
Transportation: Blithewold is located within walking distance (.5 miles from campus on Rt. 114/101 Ferry Road).
If you have a work study award and would like to earn your award through this position, fill out a community service work study interest form on Hawklink. Sign in, search “Community Engagement” in Organizations – once there, look on our page at “forms” for the interest form. Staff will receive your inquiry and contact you to schedule a referral.
You can also contact the Center for Engaged Learning at engage@rwu.edu or call 401-254-3765.
*Students are prohibited from driving during work-study employment with the limited exception of authorized work-study driver positions.