SLIS Jobline Your Source for Professional, Pre-Professional, and Internship Positions

Public Services Assistant, John Carter Brown Library, Providence, RI

Posted July 23, 2015

Reporting to the Assistant Librarian for Research and Reference Services, the Public Services Assistant(s) will be responsible for welcoming researchers and the general public to the Library, providing initial orientation and registration to researchers, assisting in the invigilation of the rare materials section, and managing the shifting configuration of the reading room for events and activities. In addition, the Public Services Assistant will organize and manage the JCB Library Shop, maintain the public spaces within the reading room, and spend an additional 10-20% of her/his time on special library projects on a case-by-case basis, including assisting fellows with day-to-day needs and working on the Library’s publications program and other projects related to public outreach.

Responsibilities:

  • Welcoming and orienting researchers, visitors, students and the public to the Library: Greets individuals entering the Library (reminding them that this is an active research environment), provides information about the history of the institution and its particular relationship to the University, and makes certain that everyone, scholars and general public, abides by the rules and regulations of the reading room and the Library more broadly. Ensures that publications and other PR materials are made available to the public. Functions as the Library’s first point of contact.
  • Registering new researchers with the new AEON circulation management system: Assists with all aspects of researcher registration through AEON, including intake interviews, checking IDs, taking of pictures, and other gatekeeping functions for research fellows. Ensures that individuals coming to do research in our collection understand the specific nature of the materials housed there, and sends others to the appropriate environment at other libraries on campus or in the general Providence region.
  • Invigilating the Reading Room, fetching books, and providing backup to Reading Room and Security Manager: Acts as a second pair of eyes in the reading room and relieves the Reading Room and Security Manager when that individual needs to leave the reading room, helping to protect the valuable materials that can be accessed from inside the Library. The PSA will fetch requested items when necessary and will also man the front desk if and when there is a need.
  • Managing shifting configuration of reading room and support for events: Arranging chairs, tables, A/V equipment, and other necessary projects to assure a smooth operation for public events. This includes organizing the A/V set up for events and contacting relevant departments at Brown to ensure that outside vendors are provided necessary instruction for each activity. The Coordinator for Academic Programs and Public Outreach (CAPPO) will be responsible for ensuring that the PSAs are informed of their responsibilities for each event, but the PSAs will be the “boots on the ground” during these events to ensure that everything takes place as planned.
  • Organizing and maintaining the JCB Library Shop: Fulfills orders for books, posters, and other Library paraphernalia at the JCB Library Shop, including directing individuals to online shopping opportunities through the JCB’s website.
  • General Library support as needed, especially in relation to research fellows and public outreach: Other projects as directed by the Assistant Librarian and/or the Coordinator for Academic Programs and Public Outreach.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree and/or 1-2 years of relative experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.
  • Event planning or program development experience desirable.
  • Ability to use and instruct individuals on circulation management programs (AEON, in particular) and the Library’s catalog essential;
  • Excellent oral communication skills, including desire to connect with customers of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
  • Flexible to change and interruptions, able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
  • For public outreach work, we are hopeful that candidates have knowledge of social media for marketing and, ideally, know how to maintain a blog.

Other Information:

  • Must occasionally be able to work at night and on weekends because of planned events and activities during those times.
  • The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check and education verification.

To apply please use the following link to the position on Brown University’s Career Site (REQ118421): https://brown.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/staff-careers-brown

Academic Positions