Reading Room Student Assistants (Multiple Positions, Schlesinger Library, Cambridge, MA

Posted November 18, 2021

Description:

Hours: 14 hours/week with weekly schedule to be determined.

Upon reopening, the Library will be open Monday through Friday, 9 to 5;
Saturdays (9 to 5) will be added in the near future.
Schedules will include some Saturdays each month, once initial reopening hours are expanded.

Eligibility: This is a pre-professional position open to currently enrolled Simmons GLIS students.
Library: The Schlesinger Library draws thousands of researchers each year to study the history of women
and gender in the United States. The Library’s holdings include manuscript collections of
individuals, families, and organizations, with particular strengths in women’s rights, suffrage,
feminism, health and sexuality, social reform, and education. The Library’s book and periodical
collections cover themes of women, gender, culinary history, zines, and more. Some collections
of note include the Radcliffe College Archives, Judy Chicago, Grace Zia Chu, Angela Davis, Betty
Friedan, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, June Jordan, Pauli Murray, Boston Women’s Health Book
Collective, and the National Organization for Women. The library has a particularly strong
culinary collection, including manuscript and published materials, dating from the late 18th
century to the present.

Location: 3 James Street, Cambridge, MA (in Radcliffe Yard, 2 blocks from Harvard Square)

Description: Under the supervision of the Research Services Department, the Reading Room Assistants
support the work of the Department. The Assistants work in the Reading Room; retrieve and
reshelve requested materials; help monitor Reading Room security; scan materials for
researchers; assist with checking in and returning off-site material; support researchers in person
and online; and assist Research Librarians and Archivists with projects as needed.

Qualifications: Required:

Reliable and able to commit to a set weekly schedule including eventual Saturday coverage.
Professional and courteous approach to working with a wide range of researchers and staff.
Requires exceptional focus and close attention to detail.
A sense of curiosity and desire to learn.
Ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks, be flexible, and balance priorities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds.

Preferred:
Reading Room, Reference Desk, or other Special Collections experience.
Interest in women’s studies.

COVID Vaccination:

Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any
on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for
medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination
requirement and exceptions may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information”
webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Salary: $16.00/hour
Start date: TBD; estimated late January/February 2022

How to apply:

Application deadline: Open until filled

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