Brown University is hiring: Film and Media Studies Librarian in Largo

Overview

The Brown University Library and Department of Modern Culture and Media (MCM) seek an experienced and expert candidate for the position of Film and Media Studies Librarian. This role offers an opportunity for a candidate with strong skills in film and video production and preservation, conservation, and research to contribute to the pedagogical goals of MCM through teaching and research.

The Film and Media Studies Librarian will assess and meet current and future information needs of faculty, students, and scholars in MCM and define and document goals and priorities for these collections and services in consultation with faculty and students.

The Librarian has an in-depth understanding of legacy and contemporary film, video, and digital media technologies. The position manages, preserves, and makes accessible MCM’s collections of 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm celluloid films; analog video in various formats; born-digital media; and related ephemera. The Librarian curates, expands, and diversifies the MCM archives to support ongoing and new research and teaching interests in the department and at Brown in new and emerging media fields; and evaluates collections based on records management policies, relevant laws, long-term preservation, and efficient use of space resources.

Responsibilities

• Assess, devise, and document goals and priorities for MCM collections and services in collaboration with faculty and students.
• Manage, preserve, and provide access to MCM’s physical and digital media collections, including 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm film, analog video formats, and born-digital materials.
• Curate, expand, and diversify the MCM archives to support current and future teaching and research interests; evaluate collections in line with records management policies and long-term preservation requirements.
• Oversee the archives’ content management systems; document and ensure consistent practices for collection description in coordination with the Library’s Director of Cataloging and Metadata.
• Develop and implement a long-range plan for migrating metadata from MCM’s proprietary DAMS to the University Library’s LMS and integrate physical collections with Brown’s storage facilities.
• Collaborate with MCM to build a collection development policy prioritizing audiovisual materials that document marginalized groups, and revise legacy cataloging to align with Brown’s overall policies for accessibility and sensitive information.

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree or terminal degree in a field such as Archive Science; Film and Media Studies; Museum Studies; Moving Image Archiving and Preservation; or Library and Information Science.
• 5 years of related experience in film, video, and digital media archiving, curation, and film preservation; or an equivalent combination of skills and experience.
• 7+ years of related experience managing film and media collections is preferred.
• In-depth theoretical, practical, and technical understanding of legacy and contemporary film, video, and digital media technologies.
• Excellent knowledge and experience in audiovisual archiving.
• Strong knowledge of film and media histories and experience working with media archives, including curation and media materials management, repair and maintenance, and understanding of photochemical processes for film developing, with the ability to identify gauges, stocks, and elements of motion picture and still film.
• Proficiency with analog and digital video cameras, film cameras, audio recording and playback systems, lighting, and 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, and standard definition video projection and editing systems.
• Proficiency with mechanized and non-digital machinery for film and video inspection, repair, and transfer; ability to perform simple mechanical repairs and adjustments to calibrate equipment for use.
• Teaching skills capable of instructing students and faculty with varying levels of technical competence and theoretical knowledge.
• Research and engagement with all modes of media to help MCM maintain, expand, and diversify the Archives.
• Ability to work independently, anticipate facility problems, and resolve issues quickly and efficiently.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. For questions, please contact the Brown University employment team.

EEO Statement

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.