Composer Edward MacDowell and pianist Marian MacDowell founded MacDowell in 1907 to nurture the arts by offering creative individuals of the highest talent an inspiring environment in which to produce enduring works of the imagination. In 1997, MacDowell was honored with the National Medal of the Arts. Each year, MacDowell welcomes 300 architects, composers, filmmakers, interdisciplinary artists, theatre artists, visual artists, and writers from across the United States and around the globe. More than 16,000 residencies have been awarded in the last 118 years. Recipients have included Ayad Akhtar, James Baldwin, Michael Chabon, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Louise Erdrich, Osvaldo Golijov, Cathy Park Hong, Glenn Ligon, Dee Rees, Vijay Seshadri, Ann Patchett, Colson Whitehead, and Julia Wolfe.
This role is based in Peterborough, NH with limited flexibility for remote work.
Peterborough, NH
United States
To Apply:
Please email your cover letter and resume to Jenni Wu, Chief of Staff, at employment@macdowell.org by Friday, October 10, 2025. We will begin reviewing applications in October and hope to fill the position for a January 2026 start date. Qualified applicants may be asked to participate in up to 4 virtual, hybrid, or in-person interviews.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
MacDowell is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
The Opportunity
MacDowell seeks a part-time Library Services & Digital Archives Coordinator (LSDAC) to begin working at the James Baldwin Library in January 2026. Reporting to the Head Librarian, the LSDAC will join a small Library team that supports ~300 artists-in-residence (AIR) with collection searches and technological needs. The LSDAC will balance day-to-day library operations and guest services with helping to design and implement an ongoing, multi-year project that will digitize and preserve selected archival materials across the organization. The position has the potential to move to full-time status (32 hours/week) as archival work increases.
A successful LSDAC possesses strong interpersonal communication skills, consistent attention to detail, the ability to work independently, comfort troubleshooting IT & AV issues, and a warm customer service orientation. The ideal candidate has previous experience with digital archives and/or databases and a proven ability to steward long-range projects involving multiple stages and diverse stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
LIBRARY SERVICES & ARTIST SUPPORT
- Serve as a welcoming and responsive presence for AIR questions and needs
- Facilitate use of Library technology, including setup for presentations and meetings, and provide basic IT troubleshooting
- Assist with collection management, including accessioning, shelving, catalog searches, and info desk coverage
- Manage space and Library equipment reservations
DIGITAL ARCHIVES & COLLECTIONS PROJECTS
- Collaborate with the Head Librarian, Senior Strategist, Digital Systems, and cross-departmental teams to align digital archiving projects with organizational needs
- In the project’s first phase, develop and implement a plan to digitize Library archival material, including books, press material, multimedia objects, and visual art
- Develop and manage organization-wide metadata standards, controlled vocabularies, and tagging protocols to support searchability and integration with discovery platforms
- Create and maintain documentation outlining digitization workflows, file formats, and preservation strategies aligned with best practices
- In the project’s second phase, develop and implement a digital archiving strategy that covers legacy files related to fundraising, program, admissions, and personnel in New York and New Hampshire
Qualifications & Skills:
- 2-5 years of experience and/or education in library services, archives, or related cultural heritage work
- Master’s in Library Science with specialization in archival work preferred
- Comfort and experience with technology: databases, catalog systems, and troubleshooting for IT issues
- Knowledge of best practices related to new technologies and data security
- Strong interpersonal communication skills; ability to provide warm, responsive support to a community with diverse needs
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to independently manage multiple priorities
- Flexible and collaborative team player, with an openness to learning and teaching new technology, systems, and approaches
- Ability to pivot between long-range strategic thinking and practical problem solving and project management
- Ability to guide multiple stakeholders through appraisal and disposition decisions, balancing the need for preservation with the discernment to responsibly deaccession materials
- Commitment to MacDowell’s culture of belonging for staff, artists, and other stakeholders
- Familiarity with and appreciation for the artistic disciplines represented at MacDowell preferred
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to regularly commute to the New Hampshire office
- Ability to regularly lift 10 lbs. and up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to sit or stand in front of a computer workstation for up to 32 hours/week
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff members and other stakeholders by email, phone, virtually and in person
- Valid driver’s license
- Some travel, evening, and weekend work may be required
MacDowell’s Culture
Our staff is our greatest asset, and we strive towards a kind, equitable, and respectful work culture that values a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences.
Compensation
$21.00-$26.00/hour (~$30-38k/annual), based on experience; part-time (28 hours/week), non-exempt, benefits include employer contributions to a 403(b)-retirement account; paid family leave; and generous paid time off.