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Research Library Assistant, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA

Posted October 30, 2018

Research Library Assistant

Department: Training and Educational Resources Program

Schedule: Part-time, 18 hours/week

 

Perkins School for the Blind, located near Boston, was the first school for the blind chartered in the United States in 1829. For over 180 years, Perkins School for the Blind has provided quality educational and residential services to students who are blind, visually impaired or deafblind, empowering them to reach their maximum potential. Perkins School for the Blind embraces diversity in ability, thought, culture and belief. We provide equal education and employment opportunities and value the unique talents and contributions of all of our students and staff. 

 

Summary

The primary responsibilities of this position involve ongoing tasks to support library functions including shelving, shelf-reading, and data entry in our catalog and online resources. This position also provides support for shipping for Perkins publications.

 

Depending on background and interests, other tasks will include some administrative work within the larger department, and/or projects within the Research Library collections.

 

Schedule:

At least three days a week, for a total of 18 hours a week, on a regular schedule. Hours can be scheduled when the Research Library is open (7:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.) We are closed on weekends and Perkins holidays.

 

Responsibilities include:

  • Shelving materials that have been returned to the library.
  • Fulfilling requests for scanned articles and book chapters.
  • Shelfreading the collection.
  • Maintaining online resources (reviewing dead links, adding new items) in the Scout Information Clearing House.
  • Data entry and editing tasks in our catalog (using InMagic/Presto)
  • Support shipping and other activities for Perkins publications as needed.
  • Assist other staff with handling book requests as needed.
  • Additional projects within the Research Library collection, depending on interests, skills, and library needs.

 

Additional projects may include review of specific sub-collections, creations of bibliographies or online collections (with contextual information), or developing other resources.

 

Minimum Requirements:

  • Excellent attention to detail, including proofreading entered data.
  • Strong skills with data entry while following local standards and workflow.
  • Able to locate, scan, shelfread, and shelve print materials.
  • Able to navigate stairs to access three floors of Research Library stacks (do not need to carry materials on stairs.)

 

Preferred skills and experience:

  • Successful completion of a cataloging course and/or equivalent experience editing records in a library catalog.
  • Experience with administrative tasks such as processing invoices.
  • Background working with controlled vocabulary for cataloging and categorization.

 

Benefits: This position does not qualify for benefits. 

 

Perkins seeks to enhance its community of intellectually, culturally, and socially diverse individuals to enrich the educational experience of our students. Applicants from a multicultural background, are bilingual, and/or who have relevant life experience are encouraged to apply.