The BSA is seeking an organised and highly-motivated graduate of a UK HEI to provide support for library and archive services.

Description of the BSA, Library, Archive and Digital Platform

Founded in 1886, the BSA is a UK-registered charity and is one of eight British International Research Institutes that receive annual funding from the British Academy. The BSA exists to promote  research of international excellence in all disciplines pertaining to Greek lands, from fine art to  archaeometry and in all periods to modern times.

A key resource in meeting this goal is the BSA’s internationally renowned library. This is an open shelf reference collection, spread over several levels, to which Members have 24-hour access and a  larger group of Readers access during working hours. A standardised on-line catalogue gives access to the physical collection of 75,000 volumes and 1,300 periodical titles together with a growing quantity of digital materials.

The BSA’s Archive collections contain records of the BSA’s field projects going back to 1886; material from the Byzantine Research Fund, c. 1888-1936 (c. 6,500 unique plans, drawings and photographs of Byzantine architecture – some of buildings now destroyed); Personal Papers of British  archaeologists such as John Pendlebury and Winifred Lamb; in Modern Greek Studies it holds the George Finlay papers, including journals from the Greek War of Independence; travel notebooks  (William Gell and Keppel Craven); the Noel-Baker family papers; ethnographic records and a large collection of glass negatives.  An increasing number of items is available digitally on the BSA Digital Collections platform:  https://digital.bsa.ac.uk.

The BSA is following a progressive agenda to standardise and integrate its administrative, research and outreach data into a central database using Axiell Software’s EMu system.  This platform is currently used for the curation of the BSA’s archival, museum and laboratory collections,  and is in the process of being extended to cover documentation of research and administrative activities past and present.  Some key collections have been digitised and made available through the  Digital Collections page on our website: https://digital.bsa.ac.uk/.

Summary of Position

We are seeking an organised and highly-motivated graduate of a UK HEI to provide support for library and archive services. This position is full time, working  0.5 FTE with the Senior Librarian to assist in the smooth running of the library, and 0.5 FTE with  the Archivist to inventory and process archive collections. The starting date of this position will be March 1, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The annual gross salary for this position is € 13, 640

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • To contribute to the smooth running of the library, including providing reader services,  handling enquiries, and preparing material for the shelves.
  • To assist with classifying new books and adding relevant data to the catalogue database.
  • To assist in a variety of archive tasks including inventorying and cataloguing collections to ISAD(G) standards; rehousing and in-house conservation of archival materials; organising items for digitisation or scanning in-house where appropriate.
  • To migrate and curate digital catalogue information to the Collection Management Software, EMu (Electronic Museum Management System-Axiell ALM).
  • To contribute towards the promotion of BSA collections, helping to produce blog posts and  exhibitions drawing on BSA material.

Person specification

The successful candidate will have graduated from a UK HEI with at least an undergraduate degree in a subject concerned with the mission statement of the BSA. Candidates should be fluent in  English and able to or willing to learn how to transcribe Greek and other languages of scholarship.  They will be highly motivated and enthusiastic with excellent interpersonal and organisational  skills, the ability to work independently and in teams, and they will have an interest in the scholarly work conducted and facilitated by the BSA. They will also be able to demonstrate how taking up  this position is part of a longer-term career plan. Previous digitisation experience is desirable but  not essential.

This position would be ideal for a graduate seeking practical experience working in libraries and  archives (e.g. as a prerequisite in applying for a postgraduate library/archive training course), or  for a graduate with a strong interest in Greek cultural heritage looking for some hands-on experience -based in Athens- before pursuing further academic study.

Conditions of employment

  • Successful candidate will be expected to live and work in Athens.
  • Residence and work permit, where necessary.
  • Line Managers: Senior Librarian and Archivist.

Application

Applications  should  be  submitted  through  the  online application  system and include the following:

  • A  covering letter  (of  no more  than  two  pages),  giving  the  applicant’s  contact  details,  outlining  the  reasons  for  applying,  giving  details  of  supporting  enclosures,  and  summarising the applicant’s principal qualifications for the job;
  • A  curriculum vitae,  giving  details  of  past  employment,  academic  and  other qualifications, and other relevant experience;
  • The name and email address of one referee. They will automatically receive on submission of your application an email asking them to send their reference letters via a link  provided by the closing date.

The closing date  for applications is Monday 6 November 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by teleconferencing by the end of November 2023.

For further information about this position, please contact the Librarian

evi. [email protected] and/or the Archivist BSA [email protected]

Click here for more details and to apply: https://www.bsa.ac.uk/join-us-2/volunteers-and-interns/library-archive-intern/