TO APPLY: Interested candidates should attach a cover letter and resume, both as PDF documents, to their application in the Newberry Career Center. Applications sent without both a resume and cover letter will not be considered. To be considered for this role, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. The pay for this position is $18 per hour.

ABOUT THE NEWBERRY: The Newberry collection—some 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps, and 5 million manuscript pages—is a portal to more than six centuries of human history, from the Middle Ages to the present. We connect researchers and visitors with our collection in the Newberry’s reading rooms, exhibition galleries, program spaces, classrooms, and online digital resources.

Since its founding in 1887, the Newberry has remained dedicated to deepening our collective understanding of ourselves and the world around us. As individuals engage with Newberry collections and staff, they discover stories that bridge the past and present and illuminate the human condition.

The Newberry’s community of discovery is driven by a shared commitment to promoting research, inspiring learning, and using inquiry across the humanities as a tool to engage critically in a vibrant democratic society.

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Digital Initiatives and Services and working closely with the Digital Asset Manager, the Assistant works to enhance discovery and use of the Newberry's online postcard collections. The Assistant will be a proactive, quick learner, with a strong sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for acquiring skills in new technologies. Primary responsibilities include preparing digitized postcards and associated, item-level metadata for the Newberry’s online collections (https://collections.newberry.org/). This role is limited to no more than two years in duration.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare and enhance data (from postcard inventories, MARC records, finding aids, crowdsourcing projects, and OCR processing) to create Dublin Core metadata in the Newberry’s digital collection (https://collections.newberry.org/).
• Upload digitized postcards and metadata sets to Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/newberry).
• Assist Digital Asset Manager and Modern Manuscripts team in repurposing postcard metadata to create finding aids and in making links from finding aids to digitized content.
• Provide support for online volunteers using Postcard Tag (https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/newberry/postcard-tag) by adding new content and exporting and repurposing volunteer contributions.
• Assist in compiling usage reports and other statistics to support departmental planning.
• Assist in creating and maintaining procedural documentation.
• May assist Modern Manuscripts team in preparing physical postcard collections for digitization (includes arrangement, marking postcards with collection numbers, creating inventories).
• All other duties and special projects, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; a minimum of two years’ coursework in digital humanities, library and information science, computer science or related field required.
• Strong computer skills, proficiency working in Microsoft/Windows environment, advanced experience using Microsoft Excel, and demonstrated facility for learning new concepts, skills, and technologies required.
• Experience with digital library tools, including metadata standards (esp. Dublin Core), content management systems, and/or digital publishing platforms preferred.
• Experience with common web technologies and scripting languages (PHP, XML/XSLT, CSS, and/or JavaScript) preferred.
• Ability to complete tasks independently, while understanding when to seek guidance.
• Ability to work in a team environment where consultation, flexibility, and collaboration are essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Interest in the Newberry’s mission, collections, and audiences.

SCHEDULE: This is a full-time, nonexempt position, working 35 hours per week, with normal hours generally from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The incumbent will be required to work onsite.

BENEFITS: The Newberry offers a comprehensive benefits package including a variety of health, dental, and vision insurances; generous paid time off (vacation time, sick leave, personal days, and paid holidays); a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match; employer-provided basic life and long-term disability insurance; paid parental leave; and much more.

THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
View our statement concerning our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here.