Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

David Center for the American Revolution Project Cataloguer

As part of the partnership between the American Philosophical Society (APS) and the David Library of the American Revolution (DLAR), the APS seeks to hire a two-year project cataloguer to describe its large collection of printed materials related to early America. In addition to the important early American collections already at the APS, the collaboration brought a further 9,000 reels of microfilm, 8,000 books, hundreds of pamphlets and newspaper issues, as well as a rich collection of maps and graphics to Philadelphia.

Under the Head of Cataloguing, the Project Cataloguer will organize, describe, and make accessible material published in the 18th and 19th centuries as well as later publications about the nation’s founding. The project cataloguer will also support efforts to make this material better known to the David Center community.

Over the course of the project, the Project Cataloguer will be responsible for:

  • Creating catalogue records for books, pamphlets, newspapers, maps, broadsides and graphics pertaining to early America. The cataloguer will use MARC standards as well as DCRM(b) standards to create original records in OCLC. The project cataloguer will work with both the APS backlog and the David Library’s collections.
  • Updating various online guides.
  • Identifying and flagging material in need of conservation treatment.
  • Writing blog posts.
  • Assisting with the shifting of materials on shelves and the reshelving of printed materials after researcher use.  
  • Other duties as assigned.

This two-year position may not be held concurrently with any other position, grant, or employment (part-time or full-time). The location is Philadelphia, PA. The annual salary is $45,000. The APS also offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement, life insurance, and disability benefits.

Qualifications

  • MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution
  • Demonstrated experience cataloguing printed materials
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Preference will be given to candidates with subject-area background related to early America.
  • The ability to occasionally lift up to forty pounds is required.

All APS Staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the American Philosophical Society

The American Philosophical Society (APS), the oldest learned society in the United States, was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin for the purposes of “promoting useful knowledge.” In the 21st century, it serves to advance knowledge and promote scholarship in the humanities and social, mathematical, life, and physical sciences. Members of the Society are elected from among the most eminent scholars and civic and cultural leaders in North America and abroad. More than 100 living APS Members are Nobel laureates.

The APS’s Library & Museum collections make it among the premier institutions for documenting and exhibiting the history of the American Revolution and founding, the history of science from Newton to NASA, Native American languages and culture, and the development of American anthropology. The Library houses over 14 million manuscripts, 275,000 volumes and bound periodicals, 250,000 images, fine art, and other objects. Museum exhibitions interpret these extensive collections for the regional, national, and international visitors who come to Philadelphia’s historic district. In so doing, the exhibitions aim to nurture the spirit of inquiry, promote critical thinking, and engender enthusiasm for object-based learning by using primary source documents and authentic objects. The Library & Museum also hosts a robust fellowship program, offering over 25 short-term and 10 long-term fellowships each year to scholars using its collections.

For further information on the APS’s Library & Museum Collections visit:

http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/collection-areas and  http://amphil...