Film and Media Studies Librarian Job at Inside Higher Ed in West Kingston

Job Overview

The Brown University Library and Department of Modern Culture and Media (MCM) seeks an experienced and expert candidate for the position of Film and Media Studies Librarian. This position provides an outstanding opportunity for a candidate with an excellent skill set in film and video production, preservation, conservation, and research to contribute directly 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 the Department of Modern Culture and Media 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 and will manage, preserve, and make accessible MCM’s collections of 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm celluloid films; analog video collections in a variety of formats and born‑digital media, and their related ephemera. The Librarian curates, expands, and diversifies the MCM archives to support continuing and new research and teaching interests in the department and at the University 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.

The Librarian manages the MCM archives’ content management systems; documents, and ensures consistent practices for collection description in collaboration with the Library’s Director of Cataloging and Metadata. The Librarian will assess, devise, and implement a long‑range plan for the migration of metadata from MCM’s proprietary digital asset management systems to the University Library’s Library Management System and the integration of MCM’s physical collections with the University’s Library and Special Collections storage facilities. The position will work with MCM to build an acquisition policy that will prioritize the acquisition of audiovisual materials by marginalized groups and revise legacy cataloging to eliminate anti‑black racism and other oppressive terminology, thereby aligning MCM’s archives with Brown University’s institution‑wide collections, documentation, and access policies for materials created by or about Indigenous people.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or terminal degree in Archive Science; Film and Media Studies; Museum Studies; Moving Image Archiving and Preservation; or Library and Information Science
• 5 years related experience in film, video, and digital media archiving, curation, and film preservation; or the equivalent combination of skills and experience
• 7+ years of related experience managing film and media collections 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, as well as an understanding of photochemical processes for film developing, and the ability to identify different gauges, stocks, and elements of motion picture and still film
• Proficiency with analog and digital video cameras, film cameras, audio recording and playback systems, and lighting, as well as 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, and standard definition video projection and editing systems
• Proficiency with mechanized, electrical (non‑digital) machinery for film and video inspection, repair, and transfer, and the ability to make simple mechanical repairs and adjustments to calibrate equipment for use
• Teaching skills capable of reaching and instructing students and faculty with vastly different levels of technical competence and theoretical knowledge
• Research and engagement with all modes of media to help MCM not only maintain, but expand and diversify the Archives
• Must be able to work and think independently, anticipate facility problems, and resolve issues quickly and efficiently

Benefits

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here.

Additional Details

• Recruiting Start Date: 2025‑10‑16
• Job Title: Film and Media Studies Librarian
• Department: University Library
• Grade: Grade 11
• Worker Type: Employee
• Worker Sub‑Type: Regular
• Time Type: Full time
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5
• Position Work Location: Hybrid Eligible
• Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
• All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check

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.