The Museum's Noble Planetarium was the first planetarium to be named after a female astronomer, Charlie Mary Noble, a Fort Worth educator of math and astronomy.
Archivist/Research Librarian
Full Time
Under the supervision of the Curator of History, the Archivist/Research Librarian oversees the day to day operation of the Museum's William Green Memorial Library and the Archives, as well as provides both institutional and online research services for the staff and the general public.
The William Green Memorial Library houses more than 6000 volumes and reflects the Museum’s collections of both science and history. This non-circulating library serves the community, volunteers and staff. Highlights of the Museum Library include:
Books on Pre-Columbian Art collected by former Curator Aubyn Kendall, museology, Texana (people, history and Texas life), astronomy (The Charlie Mary Noble Astronomy Library), material culture, local history, the WPA Texas Writer’s Project on microfilm, the Southwestern Historical Quarterly from 1897 to the present, National Geographic from 1914 to the present, and Museum News from 1948 to the present.
The Institutional Archives of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History traces the history of the Museum, from its planning in 1939 by members of the Fort Worth chapter of Administrative Women in Education, to the present. The archives consist of exhibit files, posters, videos and photographs and miscellaneous ephemera.
The Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Archives: Documenting an important part of Fort Worth history since it’s beginning in 1896, these archives consist of 30 linear feet of news clipping scrapbooks starting in 1939, rodeo programs, rodeo badges, posters and photographs. The Stock Show archives are available, for informational and educational purposes only, to researchers by appointment. Requests for copies of materials are jointly reviewed by the Museum and the Stock Show.
Major General William Jenkins Worth Archives consists of 6 boxes of information on the namesake of our city collected and donated by local Fort Worth scholar Bill Turner. Highlights include sheet music of the General Worth March and a contemporary account of Worth’s funeral.
Acquired in 1989, the Scott and Stuart Gentling Archives is composed of materials related to the creation of their Of Birds and Texas elephant folio book and paintings. The Museum is proud to have the 42 original paintings in our collection. Artist Stuart Gentling attributed his love of painting birds to an Audubon book he discovered as a child in the Museum’s library.
Specific Duties:
The Archivist/Librarian would be responsible for generating and maintaining records on library holdings and acquisitions, as well as order and process books and periodicals (accession, catalog, label books).
The Archivist/Librarian would also be responsible for organizing the Institutional Archives, and processing various types of materials and media, including photographs, videos, films, slides, posters, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, artifacts, blue prints and plans pertaining to the history of the Museum. This person will also maintain the Gentling Bird Painting and General Worth Archives, well as the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Archives. The Archivist/Librarian will maintain a close working relationship with Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo’s Publicity Manager and will facilitate periodic ongoing donations to the collection, as well as assist researchers wanting to use this collection.
Additional Duties Include:
Gathering research information for exhibits, loan kits, public inquiries and artifact identification, as well as serve on committees on exhibit planning and execution.
Answering public inquiries over the phone, through emails and in person on requested topics; this includes artifact identification.
Supervising volunteers that help with library and archival work.
Undertaking special assignments as directed by the Curator of History, Curator of Science, Chief Operating Officer, and the President of the Museum
Qualifications:
Archival/Library experience
Graduate degree in Information Science, Archives, Museum Studies or similar field
Experience with museum cataloguing software, Past Perfect and Rediscovery preferred.
Self directed and motivated, and the ability to work alone and/or as part of team.
Human Resources Manager
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
1600 Gendy Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76107
fax: (817) 255-9354