Queens College - Job Description

Job title: Project Associate (Rare Book Cataloguer)

Department: Library

Contract: 22 months(fixed-term contract)

Hours of work: 36.5 per week, Monday to Friday (flexible)

Reports to: College Librarian

The Old Library

Founded in 1448, Queens’ Old Library is still situated in its original room with bookcases made from medieval lecterns. Although none of the original collection remains, the library holds a fine and hugely significant collection of c.30,000 early printed books and manuscripts dating from the twelfth to eighteenth centuries. Many of the books have been annotated by past readers, thereby providing an invaluable record of intellectual activity from early modern times until the eighteenth century. The collection covers a range of subjects studied by Queens’ members during that period, including theology, classics, history, philosophy, astronomy, medicine and English literature.

During its existence, the library has benefited from a number of major benefactions including those of Sir Thomas Smith (Humanist works, many of them annotated (1577)), Isaac Milner (theology, science, French mathematical works (1820)) and the extensive library of John Smith, the Cambridge Platonist (1652). There is also a large collection of early Erasmus editions.

This post is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund which is supporting the college’s cataloguing and outreach project entitled: ‘Renaissance Queens': Discovering Cambridge's unique Tudor past in the Old Library of Queens' College Cambridge’. The project focusses primarily on the library’s sixteenth-century printed books. Its aim is to catalogue the collection and promote it to a wide audience as a reflection of the involvement of Cambridge and its citizens in the political and intellectual upheavals of the sixteenth century.

Main Purpose:

To catalogue the College’s historically important collection of sixteenth-century books. To assist the College Librarian and other library staff with the project’s outreach components.

Key Responsibilities

  • Systematically catalogue the Library’s sixteenth-century books, providing detailed bibliographic descriptions. Research and record copy-specific information, e.g. binding, annotations and marks of ownership; and add access points for place of printing, printers, illustrators, binders, and previous owners.
  • Create records on the Voyager System either by downloading existing records or creating new ones, in accordance with DCRM(B), MARC 21 format, and with Library of Congress subject headings.
  • Assist in overseeing conservation work and photography undertaken by volunteers.
  • Assist in planning and delivering schools and public outreach events that promote knowledge and enjoyment of the college’s sixteenth-century collections.

Other duties

  • Comply with health and safety regulations.
  • Comply with the policies and procedures set out in the Queens’ Staff Handbook.
  • Undertake any other duties and responsibilities appropriate with the post as directed by the Head of Department and/or College Officer

Person Specification

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

  • A relevant first degree.
  • Knowledge of rare book cataloguing standards (DCRM(B), LCSH, MARC21).
  • Cataloguing experience in an academic library.
  • Interest in and knowledge of sixteenth-century European print culture and wider historical issues relating to it.
  • Informed understanding of how books were produced in the hand press period.
  • Good reading knowledge of Latin.
  • Experience of handling fragile original material.
  • Awareness of the reference works used to support research in this area.
  • Excellent IT literacy.
  • Keen attention to detail and ability to work to deadlines.
  • Ability to work on own initiative.
  • An interest in working with the general public (including school children).
  • Strong communication skills and high standard of written and verbal English.
  • Aa flexible approach to work and the duties to be carried out are essential assets for this post

Highly desirable:

  • Extensive knowledge and experience of cataloguing early printed books.
  • Knowledge of 16thcentury palaeography.
  • Formal training in historical and descriptive bibliography and/or library qualification.
  • Experience in delivering rare book-related public outreach events.

Remuneration and Benefits

Salary:Grade QCS 20, currently £26,581 per annum

Hoursof work:36.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Some additional hours may be requiredduring evenings and weekends to assist with outreach work and/or exhibitions

Pension: Membership of the College contributory, final salary pension scheme after a qualifying period

Holiday: 26 days per annum plus public holidays

Other Benefits Currently Offered:

  • Free access to Physiotherapist
  • Subsidised sports and social events
  • Subsidised College Nursery
  • Various sporting facilities
  • Access to University Card which offers selected discounts, including subsidised travel on Uni 4 bus between Madingley Road Park and Ride and College
  • After qualifying periods, length of service award and staff benefits including a College subsidy towards health club membership, dental plan, medical insurance