Anchor Archive is hiring!

The Anchor Archive Zine Library is hiring a Zine Library Coordinator to organize and develop the library and distro (zines for sale), catalogue zines, facilitate programs, coordinate volunteers, and other projects. It's a fixed term position funded by the Canada Summer Jobs program (qualifying information below).

The Anchor Archive Zine Library is a small, collectively-run, special library in the North End of Halifax with a large circulating collection of zines (self-published publications made outside of mainstream media, which are often personal, political, or artistic). It has been providing access to independent media, art, and local zine history and culture since 2005 through operating the library and offering tools, resources, and programming for making zines. It is part of RadStorm, a DIY arts space that also includes Ink Storm Screen Printing Collective and Sad Rad Music Collective.

Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be responsible for the following, with flexibility based on background and interests:

Communications and outreach:

• Promote the zine library collection, resources, and events through the website, social media, and other promotional materials
• Help visitors to the library find zines, borrow zines, use the catalogue, do research, and use zine library resources
• Respond to email and other inquiries about the zine library collection and services
• Coordinate and train zine library volunteers
• Explore collaboration opportunities with other organizations and people in the space and the community

Projects and programming:

• Revamp and promote the zine distro (where we sell zines), which will include finding and purchasing new zines
• Work on the zine vending machine
• Organize and facilitate zine library programs, such as zine-making workshops and zine cataloguing parties

Zine collection and metadata management:

• Create original catalogue records for zines using our simple in-house system
• Update and advise on the zine library alternative subject thesaurus
• Improve organization and accessibility of the zine collection, including shelf-reading, making displays, organizing special collections
• Process zine donations

Assist with duties around the space:

• Host open hours and be welcoming to the public (training provided)
• Organize and attend meetings and take notes/prepare updates
• Light cleaning and organization/tidying of the space

Qualifications

• Interest in and knowledge of libraries, independent media, and art
• Interest in organizing or managing collections and improving access to information
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with training, facilitation, or coordinating volunteers
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Creative, flexible, and comfortable in an unconventional work environment
• Self motivated and able to work well independently with minimal supervision. The Anchor Archive is run by a volunteer collective and has no full-time staff. The Coordinator will be supported and trained by collective members, but will mostly work independently without active supervision. This is a great position for someone with ideas and initiative!
• Willing to work in a collective environment, including attending meetings and participating in a group decision making process
• Willingness to work with an anti-oppressive and anti-racist approach. See the Radstorm website for more info about our organizing principles and goals.

Employment Equity

Priority will be given to applicants who meet the above qualifications who also:

• Live in or are from the North End of Halifax
• Identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour
• and/or face other barriers to employment due to systemic marginalization such as (but not limited to) disability, mental illness, addiction, queer, two-spirit, trans/non-binary, single parents, or women/trans/non-binary people in the trades

Applicants can identify in their cover letter. Non-traditional cover letters are welcome!

Funding Requirements

This position is funded by the Canada Summer Jobs Program, therefore applicants must be:

• Between 15 and 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment;
• A Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act*; and
• Legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial / territorial legislation and regulations.

*International students are not eligible. Recent immigrants are eligible if they are Canadian Citizens or permanent residents.

Accessibility

Radstorm/The Anchor Archive/Inkstorm is on the ground floor of a building with one step up to the front door and a small ramp that can be placed over the step. The SadRad Music Studio is located in the basement down a flight of stairs with a handrail. The washrooms may not be accessible to all people due to lack of grab bars and other specialized equipment.

There are two single-stall gender neutral washrooms, one with a SHARPS container. Please contact us at radstormhalifax@gmail.com or anchorarchive@gmail.com if you have accessibility questions about the position or need accommodations for the application process.

Term and Compensation

• Position is for a total of 195 hours at $18/hr. 
• Start date will be Monday Aug 17, 2020 but can be flexible if needed
• Length of term and hours worked per week will be determined with the successful applicant, but must be completed by February 2021 at the latest

How to apply

Email resume and cover letter (PDF format preferred) to anchorarchive@gmail.com by 5pm on Friday July 31, 2020.

Non-traditional resumes or cover letters accepted! Feel free to email us with any questions.

Target start date is Monday August 17, 2020