Library Assistant (Part Time), Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston MA
Posted March 25, 2014
The Massachusetts Historical Society (MHS) seeks a part-time library assistant (up to 21 hours per week) to greet visitors and provide services to researchers who make use of the Society’s collections in the MHS library.
The MHS is an independent research library that collects, preserves, and makes accessible manuscripts and other materials that promote the study of the history of our nation–a mission that has remained constant since 1791. The MHS holds more than 3,600 manuscript collections, as well as extensive collections of early American imprints, newspapers, maps, printed ephemera, photographs, engravings, and other research materials.
The library is staffed Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:45 AM-4:45 PM, Tuesday 8:45 AM to 7:45 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The ideal candidate would have a flexible schedule including Saturday availability.
Duties: The library assistant works as part of the reference team and reports to the Reference Librarian. Duties include staffing the library reception area, answering telephone and email reference queries, monitoring the reading room, and assisting the reference staff with various library tasks. The library assistant greets, authorizes, and directs all researchers entering the library; explains MHS library policies and procedures; and directs incoming telephone calls for the MHS as a whole. The library assistant spends the majority of his/her time interacting directly with the public. This position is essential in promoting the Society’s public image and in maintaining the security of the collections.
Requirements: The successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree; a demonstrated interest in American history, with strong interest in Early American or Massachusetts/New England history preferred; proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; strong research skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong planning and organization skills with ability to prioritize and multi-task; the ability to work well in a team environment; and experience working with a diverse public in a customer service or similar position.
Coursework in Library and Information Science, and/or familiarity with archival principles, user-end functions of an integrated library system (Voyager), and providing reference assistance, as well as previous experience working in a library, museum, or other historical organization are preferred.
This position requires the ability to lift boxes weighing up to forty pounds and to transport materials loaded onto wheeled carts.
Salary: $14.00/hour.
Application procedure: Please send an application by email (preferred) or postal mail, including a cover letter, brief resume, and three references to Anna Clutterbuck-Cook, at [email protected] or Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215
Applications must be received by 7 April 2014 to be considered.