Audio Project Cataloguer wanted for British Library

International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Alpha Pension Scheme

Flexible working hours

25 days holiday + public holidays

Job summary

The British Library is seeking an Audio Project Cataloguer to work on Unlocking Our Sound Heritage, part of the Save Our Sounds programme. You will catalog audio recordings, create and enhance catalogue metadata, and prepare SIPs for preservation.

Knowledge of Classical music and its taxonomy is particularly useful for this role. A degree or equivalent experience is valued, and foreign language skills are welcomed.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of classical music and taxonomy is useful.
• Qualification at degree level or above is preferred, practical experience counts.
• Working knowledge of a foreign language is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Catalogue audio recordings in the British Library’s collection.
• Create and enhance catalogue metadata for preservation.
• Create timecodes using audio editing software.
• Create and edit metadata in SIPs (Submission Information Packages).

Skills

Classical music knowledge

Foreign language knowledge

Cataloguing expertise

Education

Degree or higher (history/archival studies preferred)

Tools

Audio editing software

Job description

Audio Project Cataloguer wanted for British Library

Submitted by Richard Ranft on Tue, 02/07/2019 - 17:25

Salary range is £26,000 - £29,966 pro rata per annum

Full time - 36 hours per week

St Pancras, London

A vacancy has arisen for an Audio Project Cataloguer to work at the British Library on the major preservation and access project Unlocking Our Sound Heritage, which is part of the British Library’s wider Save Our Sounds programme. The project will digitally preserve almost half a million sound recordings, make it easier for people to discover and access them, and establish a network of ten audio archiving centres across the UK.

The role will entail cataloguing audio recordings in the British Library’s collection which have been selected for preservation as part of Unlocking Our Sound Heritage. As well as creating and enhancing catalogue metadata, routine duties will include listening to audio, creating timecodes using audio editing software and creating and editing metadata in SIPs (Submission Information Packages).

Ideally we are looking for an individual with knowledge that complements the British Library’s sound recording collection. For this particular vacancy within the team of Audio Project Cataloguers, knowledge of Classical music and its taxonomy would be particularly useful, as the successful candidate will work largely with collections from this Curatorial area. Although a qualification of degree level or above may illustrate this, practical experience and background will certainly be taken into account. Working knowledge of a foreign language will also be considered an asset.

This post is part of a Heritage Lottery funded project.

As one of the world’s great libraries, our duty is to preserve the nation’s intellectual memory for the future. At present we have well over 150 million items, in most known languages, with three million new items added every year. We have manuscripts, maps, newspapers, magazines, prints and drawings, music scores, and patents. We operate the world’s largest document delivery service providing millions of items a year to customers all over the world. What matters to us is that we preserve the national memory and enable knowledge to be created both now and in the future.

• Our pension scheme is one of the most valuable benefits we offer, as our staff can become members of the Alpha Pension Scheme where the Library contributes 26.6% (this may be higher dependant on grade).
• Another significant benefit the Library provides is the provision of a flexible working hours scheme which could allow you to work your hours flexibly over the week and to take up to 5 days flexi leave in a 3 month period.
• This is on top of 25 days holiday from entry and public and privilege holidays.