Reading Room Student Assistant, Schlesinger Library, Cambridge, MA

Posted May 3, 2016

Hours: 35 hours/week: June‐August (June: Monday-Friday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm; July-August:  Tuesday-Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm) 17 hours/week: Starting in September (including Saturday: 9:00 am-5:00 pm

Eligibility:   This position is a pre‐professional position open to currently enrolled students.

Library: The Schlesinger Library draws thousands of researchers each year to study the history of women in America.    The collection consists of manuscript collections of individuals, families, and organizations, with particular strengths in women’s rights, suffrage, feminism, health and sexuality, social reform, and education.  Some collections of note are the papers of Betty Friedan, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, June Jordan, Julia Child, Pauli Murray, and Judy Chicago, and the records of the National Organization for Women.  In addition, the library’s book and periodical collections cover the full range of research on women as well as writings by women.  The library has a particularly strong collection of cookbooks dating from the late 18th century to the present.

Location: In Radcliffe Yard, 2 blocks from Harvard Square.  The yard is between Brattle and Garden Streets in Cambridge.

Description: Under the supervision of the Research Services Department, reading room student assistants work in the Reading Room; help monitor Reading Room security; retrieve and reshelve books, periodicals, and manuscript and audiovisual materials; photocopy materials for researchers; assist the reference staff with checking in and returning Harvard Depository material; and other light processing projects that may arise.    In addition, this person may work at the Registration Desk on the first floor.   

Experience: Required: Ability to interact well with students, faculty, researchers, and staff.  High attention to detail.  Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds. Ability to work in a fast‐paced environment. Able to commit to a set weekly schedule.    Preferred:  Interest in women’s studies; reading room or other special collections experience.   

Salary: $14.00/hour To apply:    

Application deadline: May 13, 2016.   

Submit cover letter, resume, and references to: Jennifer Fauxsmith, Research Librarian, [email protected]