Details
1091175
University of Edinburgh
17/02/2025
3 Months
9 hours per week
Not Applicable
Pay
£13.94
£2.52
Description
Role
The University of Edinburgh are currently offering a part-time opportunity for a student to join them as a Historic Library Records Documentation Intern to make a searchable, electronic version of the data contained in the Library's Register of Donations. This register was started by William Henderson, the librarian at the time, in 1667 to record donations made to the library. You will transcribe data from an index, made in the 1920s, into an existing spreadsheet. This index contains valuable research which would be difficult to replicate today, which we are anxious to capture.
This is an exciting opportunity for a student to gain experience working in the Heritage sector, whilst working with structured data and developing their research skills.
The successful student can expect to start work on the week commencing 17th February 2025 and work until mid-May 2025. The student can expect to work 9 hours per week in a hybrid working pattern split between the Centre for Research Collections, located on the 6th Floor of the Main Library, and working from home. The pay for this role is £13.94 per hour plus £2.52 per hour holiday pay. Payment is one month in arrears, meaning your first payment date (should this position start when expected) will be 28th March 2025.
Duties and responsibilities
- Accurately transcribing data from the index into an existing spreadsheet, ensuring that the transcript enables both the books and donors to be identified and searchable according to modern expectations;
- Checking the entries transcribed from the index against the digitised copy of Henderson’s original register, and correcting them as necessary;
- Using the index’s identification of the books listed, locating them in the library’s current catalogues, checking that the match is robust and credible, and adding bibliographical data from the catalogue to the spreadsheet;
- Using the index’s identification of the donors, checking these against current sources, and creating links to relevant reference works, including University sources.
Skills and experience
Essential criteria:
- A current University of Edinburgh student (this post is designated for UoE student employment; therefore, you must be a matriculated student for the duration of your employment). You also must not hold the position of ‘Resident Assistant’;
- Based in the UK for the duration of the work, able to work on campus when required (we cannot accommodate individuals working overseas due to tax and legal implications), and able to attend a Right to Work Check in person if needed;
- Evidence of a detail-oriented approach to work, with high levels of accuracy;
- Proven ability to work independently;
- Evidence of good palaeography skills (ability to read 17th-20th century handwriting);
- Proven experience of working with structured data, (e.g., research data in a spreadsheet or database format, customer database, stock inventory, or library database).
Desirable Criteria:
- Evidence of a strong interest in Book History (printing, publishing, collecting);
- Proven experience of working with rare materials in a cultural heritage institution such as a library, museum, or archive.
Location
Hybrid, split between working in the Centre for Research Collections, 6th Floor, Main Library, and from home.
Benefits
- Being part of a welcoming community of over 150 ISG Student Workers with opportunities to network, whilst working in a supportive and nurturing environment with a strong emphasis on work/life balance;
- Pay rate and holiday entitlement equivalent to that of UE04 permanent staff, access to NEST pension scheme if applicable;
- As a staff member, you can join the University's Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Groups (Staff Networks);
- Access to a range of excellent staff training content and resources from the Digital Skills Team.
Additional information
To apply for this role, please upload a CV and covering letter, clearly stating how you meet the criteria for the role. Please ensure you've read the top bullet points in the criteria: you must be a University of Edinburgh Student, and you must not hold the position of 'Resident Assistant' (Res Life) during your employment. If you encounter any issues when applying, please e-mail unitemps@ed.ac.uk well in advance of the deadline, as we will only respond within office hours (9-5, Monday to Friday). Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. We recommend reading our short application tips document for guidance on creating a strong cover letter and CV.
Interviews will take place on the week commencing 27th January.
The University of Edinburgh is committed to providing a positive employment experience for all students. To support students in combining work with studies, we strongly advise you do not exceed the University’s recommended number of working hours per week:
- 15 hours for undergraduate students (up to 35 hours during vacation).
- 15 hours for postgraduate taught students (all year round).
- 9 hours for postgraduate research students (all year round).
PLEASE NOTE: This advert may close early if sufficient applications are received prior to the closing date which is 23:59pm on the 7th January 2025.
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