Heinz Archive and Library Volunteer Opportunities

The National Portrait Gallery’s Heinz Archive and Library is an important research facility housing library and manuscript collections, as well as a unique collection of reference material relating to British portraiture including a unique visual resource that contains over 600,000 photographic and other reproductions of portraits and an index that contains over a million references to British portraits.

We have a number of voluntary opportunities available to help the department maintain and develop these resources.  On the job training will be provided for all voluntary positions and there may be opportunities to participate in other training programmes and events organised by the Gallery.

Image Files Volunteer

The Archive & Library holds files that contain over 600,000 photographic and other reproductions of portraits.

We have one or more opportunities for volunteers to work with image files.  The tasks includes processing and dry-mounting portrait images and filing these images in two main sequences, arranged by sitter and artist name, and several subsidiary sequences for royal sitters, costume, professions and foreign sitters.  The resource is used extensively for research purposes and is subject to constant expansion and refinement.  The tasks will therefore involve ongoing file maintenance and arrangement of contents. 

Applicants will need to have an interest in British portraiture and history and should be able to work as part of a small team.  Accuracy and attention to detail are essential requirements for these opportunities. 

Library Volunteers – Periodical Collection

A  library catalogue system was implemented in June 2008 and we are presently working towards creating complete and accurate catalogue records for the Library’s periodical holdings. This involves physically surveying the shelves, adding and editing records on the catalogue system, and marking individual items.  We are looking for two volunteers to help with this project on a mutually agreed day under the direction of the Librarian.  This opportunity requires

  • Interest in British portraiture and history and in the work of the National Portrait Gallery
  • Close attention to detail, appreciation for consistency, and the ability to maintain focus and consistency when performing repetitive tasks
  • Ability to work independently while following detailed instructions, but judgment to seek advice when required
  • Ability to learn new computer software
  • Previous experience working in a library setting or interest in librarianship as a career is highly desirable

Library Volunteer – Portrait Indexer

The Archive & Library has indexed portraits illustrated or noted in published materials since the early 20th century, but has now begun indexing in electronic form with the eventual goal of making index records remotely available over the World Wide Web. This work involves identifying images that should be indexed, and creation of new index records in the database. We are looking for one volunteer to work under the direction of a library assistant (probably on Fridays). This opportunity requires:

  • Familiarity with British portraiture or biography and interest in the work of the National Portrait Gallery
  • Close attention to detail and dedication to consistency
  • Ability to work independently while following detailed instructions, but judgment to seek advice when required
  • Ability to learn new computer software
  • Previous experience working in a library setting or interest in librarianship as a career is highly desirable

Volunteer or Intern Library Cataloguer

We are looking for an experienced or trained library cataloguer to join a small team responsible for retrospective cataloguing of the library collection. The library follows accepted professional standards modified slightly by local guidelines.

This opportunity requires:

  • Interest in British portraiture and history and in the work of the National Portrait Gallery
  • Experience cataloguing independently in MARC21 according to AACR2
  • Experience applying LCSH
  • Ability to learn new computer software

This opportunity would be suitable for an active retiree (as a volunteer), or for a librarian seeking experience in a different professional setting or a library course graduate interested in gaining pre-professional experience as a cataloguer (as an internship).

All opportunities will be available from January 2012, working one day per week (to be agreed) during normal business hours. If successful you will be asked to complete a basic disclosure form.

Please apply in writing, stating which opportunity interests you, which days you are available, and enclosing a copy of your curriculum vitae, to: Joseph Ripp, Librarian, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE. 

The closing date is Friday 20th January 2012.  Those who are short-listed will be contacted by Friday 27th January 2012.  We regret that we are not able to acknowledge applications due to our funding position. Informal meetings are expected to take place week commencing 30 January 2012, and the placements to begin soon thereafter.