Volunteer Library Cataloguing Assistant

This role offers the opportunity to develop practical experience in collections management working on the library and reference collection held by the Warner Textile Archive. The collection includes books, periodicals, and theses on art, history and design. This opportunity is suitable for volunteers and students looking to complete placements or work experience as part of their studies.

As part of this opportunity, volunteers will:

• Learn to catalogue to a professional standard.
• Gain insight into the Archive’s daily work, including conservation, digitisation, and research support.
• Work alongside the Archive team and experienced volunteers.
• Help make the collection more accessible to staff, volunteers, and researchers.
• Publish a short article on the experience of working with the collection that will feature on the Warner Textile Archive website.

We are able to facilitate a flexible work schedule based on the individual’s existing responsibilities. For a student placement, we require a minimum of 10 days to provide meaningful work experience. Individuals will be able to apply to the Archive’s Digital Threads Bursary Scheme to cover travel expenses.

For more details and how to apply, please download the role description.

Volunteer Paper Conservation Assistant
(Polyester Welder)

This role will offer the opportunity to become part of the volunteer team at the Warner Textile Archive to support the progress of making inert conservation polyester enclosures for the paper artworks within the collection. The role will involve careful handling of historic paper artworks and creation of bespoke inert polyester enclosures to contribute to the long-term preservation of our significant collection.

As part of this opportunity, volunteers will:

• Handle fragile historic artworks ranging in date from c.1870-2000s in order produce accurate measurements to make polyester enclosures.
• Sort artworks by size and condition to prioritize enclosure creation.
• Measure, cut via guillotine and weld polyester to make the enclosures to exact measurements and conservation standards.
• Work with the team on any emergency enclosure requirements for vulnerable items.

We are able to facilitate a flexible work schedule based on the individual’s existing responsibilities. For a student placement, we require a minimum of 10 days to provide meaningful work experience.

Individuals will be able to apply to the Archive’s Digital Threads Bursary Scheme to cover travel expenses.

For more details and how to apply, please download the role description.