This is a rare and exciting opportunity to play a key part in an Archives packing, barcoding and storage programme, and for individuals wishing to work in archives at a paraprofessional level before, or while, undertaking professional training in archives or records management.
Since 2014 the Archives Accommodation Programme (AAP) has been considering options to improve the Parliamentary Archives’ accommodation, to support Parliament's public engagement and heritage objectives, and reduce risk to the collection. No decision has been taken about future Archives’ accommodation, but we do need to improve how we protect and manage the collection. We are also introducing (through a Transforming Archive Services project) a new web interface to the Archives catalogue, a range of new online services for users, and a barcode tracking system, which together will transform how we manage and monitor use of the collection; it will enable the us to implement more efficient management and retrieval, deliver customer service improvements, and collect detailed management information about collection usage which will be required to inform future decisions about collection care, digitisation priorities and future storage options.
As someone who is committed to a career in archives, perhaps gained through volunteering or working in another archive, and with a determination to undertake a post-graduate archive qualification, you will provide key support to a new Pack & Track Project, which will improve the packaging and storage of the collection of 4 million unique, valuable, and sometimes fragile historic records in the Victoria Tower of the Palace of Westminster, barcode it, and enhance the catalogue.
You will work within project plan timescales and with archivists and collection care staff to ensure our records are adequately packaged, identifiable and trackable and that catalogue records, their references, titles/descriptions and locations match the details on the packaging and containers. The work will involve records appraisal, cataloguing, and also barcoding our collections for the first time, working intensively with CALM and a newly-procured bar coding product, to enable more automated management of storage and records production.
Financial support will be offered to those enrolled, or seeking to enrol on an agreed postgraduate Archives or related Information Management distance learning programme, on the condition that the successful candidate remains in post until the end of the contract. Financial support will be offered to a limit of 80% of course fees at an accredited institution, for the period of employment. Mentoring and some study leave may also be available.
For an informal chat, please contact Catherine Hardman or Jennie Lynch on +44(0)20 7219 3074 or at archives [at] parliament.uk.