Archives & Special Collections Assistant
Ryerson University Archives & Special Collections Dept.

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Compensation: $25/h

Ryerson University is located in downtown Toronto and easily accessible by the city's public transit system (www.ttc.ca). Many tourist attractions, including the Eaton Centre, the CN Tower, Theatres, museum, restaurants etc. are close by and within walking distance or accessible by ttc. Information on things to do in Toronto, festivals and events, can be found on the city's website at www.toronto.ca

The Ryerson University Library is an essential part of student academic success, experiential learning, quality degree programs, and Ryerson's innovative research reputation. The Library team ensures that students have the critical thinking skills, research support, and the latest in technology tools and millions of information resources to succeed in their studies and research. The Library includes the Isaac Olowolafe Jr. Digital Media Experience Lab, devoted to innovative and emerging technologies, the cross-disciplinary research Collaboratory for faculty and graduate students, the Geospatial Map and Data Centre, and a growing Archives and Special Collections.

Ryerson University is an equal opportunity employer, strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Aboriginal people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

Description and Duties  

The Archives & Special Collections Department at the Ryerson University Library and Archives is looking for a candidate for the position of Archives and Special Collections Assistant. The position will run for 16 weeks, commencing on May 11th and running until August 28th at a salary rate of $25/hour. The Archives and Special Collections department is located on the 4th floor of the Ryerson University Library, in downtown Toronto.

The successful candidate will process a new collection of architectural images and work closely with both the Curatorial Specialist and the Special Collections librarian/Archivist.

Duties will include processing, arrangement and description, background research on a collection of photographic images, and digitization and printing of exhibition prints. As much of the following as time allows will be completed:

• Basic cleaning, condition assessment, and rehousing of collection items
• Arrangement and creation of file-level descriptive records in the collection database (AtoM)
• Research and creation of authority records for creators (the photographer, architects, and designers)
• High resolution digitization, processing, and printing of select materials for exhibition
• Research and writing of didactic material for the exhibition
• Creation of a web presence related to the material and the exhibition, using programs such as OMEKA and WordPress
• Presentation about the collection to the Library and broader Ryerson community on work completed and highlights of the collection
  

The scope of the project will include one collection, a recent acquisition of photographs and negatives dating from the 1940's - 1990's. The collection contains negatives, photographs, and slides, depicting street scenes of Toronto, portraits, and a large collection of photographs of jazz musicians. The collection represents the work of one photographer.

This summer project will give a current graduate student interested in specializing in photographic collections in Libraries, Museums, and Archives hands-on experience processing, researching and cataloguing photographic images in an archival context. The student will have the opportunity to manage the processing of a collection from start to finish, including managing project workflows, maintaining intellectual organization, conducting research, with a focus on making the collection accessible to the University community and the public through online description and digitization. The position will also provide opportunities to present the candidate's research, through online , writing, and presentation.

After completion of the summer project, the Ryerson Library will provide letters of reference that accurately reflect the student's work within the Special Collections Department.

Qualifications 

• The ideal candidate is a current student in a graduate program in Film & Photography Preservation and Collections Management, Library and Information Science, Archival Science, Museums studies, or equivalent.
• A demonstrated focus on, and personal interest in the study of photographic collections, including exhibitions, and the attendant preservation and deterioration issues is required.
• An interest in, and knowledge of, the history of Toronto is preferred.
• Ability to read cursive handwriting is required.
  
• The candidate should exhibit familiarity with descriptive standards, preferably Rules for Archival Description, as well as use of classification standards and controlled vocabularies.
• Familiarity with digitization and printing hardware and software and general office software (including Google drive) is required. Previous experience with collections management database software (like AtoM) preferred.
• Candidates must have demonstrated strong research and writing skills and have the ability to work independently, prioritize tasks and plan workflows carefully to complete projects in a set time.
• Candidates must submit proof of their eligibility for the Young Canada Works program prior to the interview process. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
  

Applications should be sent to Alison Skyrme, Special Collections Librarian/Interim Archivist at Ryerson University Library: askyrme@ryerson.ca, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B2K3

Candidates must submit proof of their eligibility for the Young Canada Works program prior to the interview process. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Check the Young Canada Works website to confirm your eligibility: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/heritage-organizations-students.html.  Applications should be sent to Alison Skyrme, Special Collections Librarian/Interim Archivist at Ryerson University Library: askyrme@ryerson.ca, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B2K3

Application Webpage (URL): https://young-canada-works.canada.ca/Opportunity/ProjectDetails?projectId=14906&showBackToSearch=true

Application Deadline: April 18th, 2022