Public Services Assistant – Library Assistant II – Collections, MIT Libraries, Cambridge, MA

Posted September 8, 2021

Description:

Start Date/Duration: 9 months (Term is through May 30th – end of the academic year with the
possibility of summer extension.)

Supervisor: Alex McGee

Schedule: 35 hours per week. Monday – Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(schedule to be determined – some flexibility in scheduling is possible)

Hourly Rate: $18.5/hour minimum; actual based on qualifications and experience.

Distinctive Collections collects, preserves, and fosters the use of unique and rare materials such
as physical and digital archives, manuscripts, ephemera, artists’ books, and more. With these
collections the Libraries seeks to cultivate an interest in the past, present, and future; the
humanistic and the scientific; and the physical and the digital in order to inspire and enable
research, learning, experimentation, and play for a diverse community of users.

The Reference Assistant will work under the direction of the Head of Public Services and
support the reference team in reference, access, and outreach activities.
• Work at reference desk approximately 24 hours a week or serve as a backup to the
reference desk
• Assist users with answering routine questions while on the desk
• Handle reading room paging and the maintenance of reading room
• Assist in the processing of off-site deliveries
• Assist with processing of collections: reboxing and refoldering
• Conduct research and draft responses to reference questions, particularly biographical
questions
• Conduct research on specific topics or collections
• Assist in the imaging of collections including aiding in preparing items to be transferred
to the imaging lab and making quick scans for users or staff
• Assist in the creation of posts for social media and exhibits

Ability to work independently and with a team with an eye for detail is important. Must be able to
lift record carton size boxes (up to 40 lbs.) and move loaded carts weighing up to 150 lbs.

Requires familiarity with Microsoft Office products and Google Suite. Familiarity with library and
archives software and tools (Aeon, ArchivesSpace, Springshare LibApps) helpful but not
required.

Possibility to work remotely one day a week on Fridays.

Walking distance from MIT/Kendall MBTA stop (Red Line)

How to apply:

Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume to Alex McGee, interim head of
public services at [email protected]. Please feel free to email with questions.