I feel that the more training and education we as professionals get, the better we are able to perform our jobs.  Because this training may not have been available in the past, does not mean that it is not needed.  I would venture to guess that those early archivists, librarians, and curators would have loved to receive the education available to us now.  I supposed that’s why they came up with the various courses we now have.

 

I agree that all the required education, at no small expense to us, for a position that pays very little and expects so much is, to say the least, unfair.  However, I believe that the reason for the low pay scales we “enjoy” is a result of ignorance of and an under appreciation for what we do.  The people we work for as well as the people we serve very often have no idea what takes place behind the doors that say “staff only.”   They have no idea of how collections are made ready for them to use, how books are processed so that they can easily find them, or how museum displays are prepared and made ready for their use.  They only know that when they want information, they get it most of the time.

 

Our being undervalued becomes painfully evident when the parent organization has to cut budgets.  Where do they begin?  You guessed it.

 

We all are information providers who go about providing information in different ways, but with a common goal in mind; making information available to those who need it.  We as information providers need to do a better job in conveying how we do what we do.  More easily said than done.  In the past there have been several threads on this listserv trying to explain what an archivist is and does.  We need to do a better job defining our profession and making a stronger case to the powers that be about the value and need for what we do.  Perhaps then we will become valued for what we do.

 

Forgive my ramblings.  I’m married to a librarian and this discussion has taken place between us on many occasions, and yes, she now knows what an archivists does.

 

Registrar

Business Unit Salary Source 1031-7154

(Exempt:  $1,692.31-2,076.93)

The American Registry of Pathology, has an immediate opening for a Museum Registrar to work at the National Museum of Health and Medicine of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC

Responsible for assuring documentary and physical care of museum collections, as well as being a point-person for planning, and potentially implementing, a major move of the museum collections.  Creates and maintains complete legal records and permanent documentation for collections.  Develops and administers policies and procedures for acquisition, deaccession, loan, receipt, shipment, and care and handling of museum collections.  Responsible for accountability and risk management of loans, exhibits, shipping, insurance, and disaster planning.  Maintains current inventories of collection objects at offsite storage facility and develops long range plans for museum storage.  Coordinates these activities with curators, collection managers, and conservator within the museum.  Works with senior museum staff to identify and pursue sources of external funding to continuously improve care of museum collections. Develops forms and record systems to maintain documentation and inventory of collection material.  Provides legal documentation for ownership or temporary loans, and records the loan, exhibit, restoration, condition, catalog information, and location of the object in accession record files.  Records information in permanent registrar's log of all accessions, deaccessions, loans, and receipts.  Maintains and reconciles as necessary central museum registration numbering system for collection objects.  Develops and administers policies and formulates procedures for acquisition, deaccession, loans, receipts, shipments, access, and overall care and handling of collection objects.  Negotiates incoming and outgoing loans of collection objects with other museums and borrowers, and secures fine arts property insurance for loans.  Develops plans for long term off-site storage for museum objects, including space planning and equipment purchasing for storage purposes.  Coordinates work with fine arts packing companies to provide museum quality crates for long term storage and oversees contracts to do the same.  Provides assistance with installation and de-installation of museum objects as necessary.   Provides condition reports and record photographs for incoming or outgoing collection objects as necessary and in coordination with museum conservator.  Consults with other museum staff regarding issues of security and emergency planning as pertaining to collection objects.  Remains current in the field through review of museum periodicals, attending professional conferences, and other continuing education programs, as appropriate. 

 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develops and administers policies and procedures for acquisition, deaccession, loans, receipts, shipment, access, and overall care and handling of museum objects.

Develops and uses forms and record systems to maintain documentation and inventory of collections.

Provides legal documentation for ownership or temporary loan and records all necessary information in accession record files.

Records information in permanent registrar's log of all accessions, deaccessions, loans, and receipts.

Maintains central museum registration numbering system for collections.

Coordinates all shipments on incoming and outgoing collections objects.

Negotiates incoming and outgoing loans of collection objects and secures fine arts property insurance as necessary.

Plans and implements long term offsite storage for museum collections and maintains inventory of offsite storage.

Assists with object installation and de-installation and condition reports.

Remains current in the field through review of appropriate      periodicals, attendance at professional conferences, and other continuing education programs.

MAJOR QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required: Masters degree in museum studies, history or anthropology

Prior Experience Required:  Professional knowledge of standard museum registration practices, current legal issues of concern to museum collections, packing and transportation of hazardous material, negotiating loan agreements, securing insurance coverage for incoming and outgoing loans, methods of fine arts transportation for museum objects, care, handling, and packing methods of museum objects, environmental and security requirements.

       
Other Mandatory Requirements:  Ability to work in confined collections storage areas, ability to climb ladders and use basic move equipment and tools such as dollies, pallet jacks, flatbed carts, hand drills, etc. Occasionally lifts supplies or museum objects of 30-40 pounds.

No resume considered without salary history and current salary requirements. If qualified and interested email cover letter, 3 references, and CV (Resume) with salary history/requirements to Dr. Jeffrey Reznick @[log in to unmask]ABK16Jun06.  (also advertised in Careerbuilder.com)  (OPEN)  COD 14 July 06

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