The role of the Photo Library Assistant is to support the Photo Library Manager in improving access to the photo library and archive part of the collections held by Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. It includes assisting with the day-to-day administration of the online image library www.wimbledonimages.com, fulfilling picture requests and working with the archive to improve documentation, increase digitisation and to achieve excellent collection care.  During The Championships, this role will assist with the processing of new imagery and provide back up for the photo team.

Background

Founded in 1868, The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) is a private members’ club which organises and stages The Championships, Wimbledon. The award-winning Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum is open year-round and welcomes around 100,000 visitors a year, enabling them to engage with the heritage of this prestigious club in the Museum and on the Tour.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and passionate individual to assist our team in developing, caring for and creating access to our unique historic collections, to the highest standard on a 24-month contract. The Heritage Collection consists of over one million items comprising museum objects, archives and books. As part of this, the photo library includes half a million digital images available for use by the AELTC and its partners. The photo archive contains photographs captured in a variety of formats from glass plate negatives to 35mm transparencies and prints.

Main Responsibilities

Increasing Access

• Provide general administration support for Wimbledon Images and the digital asset management system during The Championships and year-round.
• Be the main point of contact for setting up new users for Wimbledon Images (online photography database) for key stakeholders and troubleshoot issues they may experience.
• Organise photography prints from events and from individuals such as Members.
• Provide support for Photo Library Manager when absent, organising photography shoots year-round and during Championships.
• Provide back up to the Photo Team on site during the tournament, as directed by the Photo Library Manager.
• Provide staffing cover for the Library when staff are absent and supervise researchers viewing materials and objects from all collections.
• Answer enquiries about the photo library and archive, and related subject matter.
• Learn about the history of tennis to improve documentation and the Collections Management System.

Collection Projects

• Assist the Photo Library Manager with the digitisation, rationalisation, documentation, improved storage and organisation of the photographic archive.
• Assist the Photo Library Manager and Collections Manager with the documentation of items coming into the collections, cataloguing, object movement, disposal and other SPECTRUM procedures, keeping the collections management system (Vernon) up to date and accurate at all times.
• Assist the Photo Library Manager in reducing the photo archive backlogs and review progress on a regular basis.
• Assist with data cleaning of all types of records and preparing data for collections online and wimbledonimages.com.
• Have a good understanding of Collections Development and be prepared to input your expertise to the Collections Development Group.
• Occasionally, Museum Experience Team assist with collection projects – supervise and train these team members ensuring they have access to materials and are carrying out the tasks to a high standard.

Collection Care

• Be able to safely handle and move all collection items safely, observing best practice.
• Appropriately label and mark a variety of object types and materials in line with best practice.
• Identify and repackage/rehouse items as required and rearrange areas of the stores when necessary.
• Courier loans when required.

Other Duties

• This job description provides a guideline only. Your role will evolve and other duties may be required of you in the future, as directed by the Senior Curator.

The Championships

• Longer hours of work may be required during The Championships.

Person Specification

Collection Projects

Essential:

• Excellent standard of written and spoken English.
• Strong communication skills and excellent IT skills
• Experience working with and, knowledge of, photography and photographic collections.
• Experience of using digital asset management or collections management software.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Able to prioritise different tasks, keep track of projects and report on them.

Desirable:

•  Proven track record of documenting and caring for historic or photographic collections and working within collections teams.
• Experience working with photo-editing software.
• Experience of working through collection backlogs and associated challenges.

Collection Care

Essential:

• Experience of handling, packing, marking, moving, storing and cataloguing collections.

Increasing Access

Essential:

• Ability to learn and digest information quickly.
• Confident when communicating with a wide range of clients, photographers, colleagues and the public.

Desirable:

•  An interest in tennis, tennis history and photography would be an advantage.

Other:

• Excellent time-management skills with the ability to work within deadlines.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programmes.
• Ability to work extended hours, some evenings and weekends as required.
• Commitment to your own professional development.