Metadata Library Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status. 
The Library and Archives Department seeks a Women’s Committee Library and Archives Fellow for a one-year term to support the department in two special projects that will improve access to and discoverability of important unprocessed collections focused on women and underrepresented groups. This opportunity will provide a rising professional with foundational experience assessing and processing library and archival materials and in project planning, as well as the opportunity to present this work to The Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The Women’s Committee was founded in 1883 by Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, a great-granddaughter of Benjamin Franklin. Now an independent 501(c)(3) organization, the Committee currently organizes Philadelphia’s acclaimed annual Contemporary Craft Show, and supports a broad range of initiatives at the museum. The Library and Archives Department is honored to host this fellowship made possible by the Committee’s generous support.
The Library and Archives Department strives to support individuals interested in pursuing careers in library and archives through hands-on mentorship, training, and the development of an engaged next generation of librarians and archivists within the art ecosystem.
Specifically, you will:
 

• Assist the Library in assessing its Artist Files by conducting an initial collection review and survey in accordance with established local collection development policies and workflows.
• Conduct research on current and historical best practices for organizing Artist Files, including leading outreach to peer institutions on local workflows and description standards.
• Learn to develop a project plan and criteria for weeding, migrating, and/or separating ephemera and related materials stored in the Artist Files, with an emphasis on improving access for local Philadelphia artists, women artists, and artists from historically underrepresented groups.
• Learn foundational processing techniques for two (2) unprocessed archival collections documenting women in art.
• Draft documentation, including an inventory of the materials and descriptive metadata, such as Scope and Content.
• Learn to use archival documentation systems by performing bulk import and entering related descriptive metadata.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead a comprehensive tour of the Library and Archives’ holdings and services for the members of The Women’s Committee.
• Present the work and accomplishments to the members of The Women’s Committee and at a professional organization conference, such as the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA), Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC), or the Society of American Archivists (SAA), at the end of the term.

Your background and experience include:

• Enrolled full or part-time through at least Spring 2027 or recently graduated from a graduate program in Library and Information Science, Archives, or related fields.
• Familiar with or experience in metadata work and processing, including describing and arranging archival collections and adhering to collection development policies.
• Familiar with current archival and bibliographic metadata standards and authorities, including: DACS, ISAD(G), MARC21, RDA, AAT, ULAN, and Library of Congress authorities and classification, with an interest in advancing understanding and practical application of emerging metadata standards and technologies.
• Knowledge of current metadata and archival practices, tools, and challenges.
• Knowledge or experience using a collection management system for archival materials.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with experience in repetitive data entry-related work. Ability to organize workload and be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
• Open-minded, curious, proactive, and creative thinker, particularly when applying theoretical knowledge to action and developing workarounds for projects without clear solutions.
• Understand professionalism and basic office work culture, such as email and in-person communications.

Position and Compensation Details

• The salary for this position is $46,561.
• This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
• This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
• This position reports to Martha Hamilton Morris Archivist
• This is a 1-year term position, ending October 2027
• Physical requirements:
  • Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
  • Able to lift objects, such as archival boxes, weighing up to 40lbs.
  • Comfortable working in an open floor plan workspace
• Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements
 

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.
What We Offer
Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:
 

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:
 

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.

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