Cataloguer (Student Magazines)
Closing Date: 24/04/2025

We are looking for two students to work with the Library to increase access to the newspapers produced by our students in 1960s-1970s. Would you like to know more about the history of our early students? Do you want to make Lancaster's early history open to a wider audience?  Are you interested in developing skills to pursue a career in the heritage sector?  Then this role will help you gain experience in those areas. 

You will be working on digital copies of the Carolyn and John O’Gauntlet, the newspapers written by our students between 1964-1970. You will get to know about the daily life of our students and the various events which occurred at Lancaster during that time. The newspapers also cover a period when Lancaster was known as one of the most radical campuses in the UK. This includes many different areas of student activism, both local, national, and worldwide campaigns. You can help reveal campaigns ranging from bus fares and housing, to wider issues such as freedom of speech and the Vietnam War. The newspapers are held in the Special Collections and Archives (SCA) in the Library. The SCA holds rare books and distinct research collections which are open to our own communities as well as the general public. You can find more information on our collections on our webpage.

In this role, you will:

• Open up this important part of our early history.
• Gain experience of using using up-to date tools, including AI. 
• Get experience of using Library management software
• Acquire skills needed for a career in the heritage sector.
• Help us to develop new processes to improve how we make our physical materials available online. 

This hybrid role will be carried out before the end of July 2025. No previous experience is required as all training will be provided as part of the role. This role is being funded by the Friends of Lancaster University.

Location: Lancaster University Library and remote
Number of Posts: 2
Interview: w.c. 5^th May 2025 (online or in person)
Start Date:  w.c. 12 May 2025
Working Pattern : 90 hours (12 days) to be worked flexibly between May-July 2024

Tasks will include:

• Reviewing the digitized versions of the magazines, Carolyn and John O’Gaunlet and using various techniques to convert them to readable content following current accessibility guidelines. This includes trialling various methods for creating readable copies, including using AI, to develop more efficient methods for make physical content from our collections more accessible.
• Creating catalogue records for the magazines on the library database, ALMA to make them available through OneSearch and ALMA digital.

The role will most be based in the Archives Research Centre in the University Library however the majority of the work can be carried out remotely. The hours are flexible but need to be completed by the week ending 17 July 2024.

Essential

1. Current student at Lancaster University who is available until July 2025.
2. Competent IT skills (Word, Excel).
3. Reliable and able to meet strict deadlines.
4. Self-motivated and ability to work independently

Desirable

1. Interest in the development and use of AI
2. Knowledge of current accessibility guidelines, specially make pdfs accessible online.
3. Interest in the history of Lancaster University, especially the life of our early students.
4. Accurate, organised and methodical approach to work
5. Able to work in a team

Key Information

No previous experience is required, and all training will be provided as part of the post. This post is ideal for students who would like work experience of working in the heritage sector. The skills you develop during the project will be transferrable to future employment.