Special Library Assistant (Rare Books and Manuscripts Department), Boston Public Library, Boston, MA
Posted June 30, 2022
Description:
Under the direction of the Head of Special Collections or delegate, assists in all aspects of maintaining and organizing rare books and manuscripts; retrieving and refiling materials;
statistics collection; maintaining accessions lists and preparing preliminary copy catalog and original cataloging records; patron registration; and stack maintenance within the department.
Reports to
Head of Special Collections or delegate
Responsibilities:
Scope of Responsibility
- Prepares preliminary copy catalog and original cataloging records and searches complex
databases, such as OCLC and RUN, for compatible computer records. - Processes accessions and maintains lists of all incoming materials (new and transferred) for the department.
- Retrieves departmental materials for patron and staff requests. Ensures that materials are
refiled promptly and accurately after use. Responsible for the proper handling and security of rare, valuable, and fragile materials. - Supervises, schedules, and evaluates part-time receptionists’ work.
- Collects, organizes, and files department call slips. In coordination with other staff members, is responsible for gathering, compiling, and reporting monthly statistics on patron usage and requests for materials.
- Performs regular sorting, shelving, straightening, and shelf-reading. Participates in shifting and collection measurement, inventories, shelving of new material, and other stack
maintenance work as assigned. - Prepares materials for deli very and transports trucks of materials between Central
departments for digitization, exhibition, and other purposes. Assists with the
coordination/retrieval of off-site collections. - Assists in maintaining inventory control of each item retrieved from stacks, compares and matches call slips, verifies reshelving of material, and checks shelves on a regular basis for misshelved items.
- Prepares newly acquired materials for shelving by inserting bookplates, lettering, labeling, flags, etc.
- Assists with rehousing of materials, printing of labels, and refoldering of items.
- Assists with departmental clerical duties and ordering of supplies. Assists with the
maintenance of departmental files. - Assists with coverage for Reception Desk as needed. Registers patrons and infonns them of reading room policies and procedures. Answers general questions about the department and its collections.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Entrance Qualifications:
Competencies
- Demonstrated initiative and appropriate independent decision-making skills.
- Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills. Communicates effectively and presents ideas clearly.
- Demonstrated organizational skills. Identifies, plans and prioritizes administrative job responsibilities and tasks; assists in implementing administrative timelines.
- Ability to collaborate with library staff and patrons.
- Ability to execute library policy.
Qualifications
- Education – High school graduate or equivalent. Additional education desirable. World Language skills desirable.
- Experience – At least two years library experience or equivalent education and/or
training to carry out responsibilities of the position. Experience with basic integrated
library system software. - Requirements – Computer skills necessary to complete the job as described using
Microsoft Windows software including Outlook, Word. and Excel. High sense of
responsibility, excellent work habits and organizational skill. Familiarity with Library of Congress classification system. Ability to solve problems of sorting, storage, and
retrieval of materials. Ability to read and interpret bibliographic information. Ability to bend, stoop, reach, and climb stairs. - CORI- Must successfully clear a Criminal Offenders record information check with the City of Boston.
- Boston Residency Required.
Terms
Union/Salary Plan/Grade: AFP / LA 5
Hours per week: 35
How to Apply:
For more information and to apply, visit: