Lead Reader Services Assistant, Rhode Island School of Design, RI

Posted October 6, 2023

Description

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Lead Reader Services Assistant to join the Library department. Fleet Library at RISD is a place for inquiry and inspiration with over 100,000 books and periodicals, institutional archives, special collections, artists’ books, material samples and picture collection.

The Lead Reader Services Assistant oversees all operations in the Dale Reading Room for Archives and Special Collections at Fleet Library, serving the rare book, artists’ book and design collections and the institutional archives. Serves as the first point of contact for patrons wanting to visit Special Collections or RISD Archives. Responsible for access to the non-circulating materials in both areas. Provides services to on-site and virtual researchers. Supervises student workers. Oversees imaging services for research and preservation purposes. Actively engages with library staff on outreach and promotion of Special Collections and Archives resources and services.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

As an employer, RISD offers a supportive, collegial, and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Essential Functions:

Patron registration, orientation, and records maintenance. Provide daily admission to the Dale Reading Room. Register patrons and maintain records of all patron transactions. Assist individual researchers, classes, and other groups of visitors by explaining library policies and procedures. identify and retrieve research materials. Consult with researchers and refer to librarians and archivists as required.
Oversight of access to collections. Oversee in-house use of materials from Archives and Special Collections by individual patrons and groups. Provide instruction on proper handling of materials to researchers, students, other visitors and staff. Monitor all reading room activity, providing for the constant security of materials in use. Assist the librarians/archivists with preparations for class visits; set out materials for viewing; manage post-class/presentation break-down and reshelving of materials. Assess all materials after use and make recommendations for conservation as needed.
Management of student work force. Hire, schedule, train, supervise, and assign work and projects to student employees.
Responsible for monitoring reading room software and incoming communications. Maintain the calendar systems for appointments, instruction, and other visits to Archives and Special Collections. Check departmental email and refer questions and requests to appropriate staff members. Maintain the reading room’s workflow management software.
Management of digitization requests. Handle patron requests for scans of RISD Archives and Special Collections materials. Scan and correct images on an ongoing basis. Properly save and store digital files on local and networked drives and monitor storage.
Stacks maintenance. Perform shelving, shelf-reading, shifting, inventory, and other stacks maintenance responsibilities in Special Collections; may also retrieve and re-shelve RISD Archives materials.
Data tracking. Update, maintain and report on monthly registration, circulation, reference and scanning statistics.

Additional Functions:

As needed, assist librarians, archivists and others with preparations for exhibitions and events including installation, and creation of labels, posters, and other print or electronic promotional materials.
Monitor and maintain equipment and supplies, including computers and copiers. Arrange for repairs and service with internal partners.
During times of low reading room activity, may assist Archives and Special Collections staff in collections project support, which might include: organizing, inventory, sorting, or rehousing for new or existing collections; maintain digital and physical assets including vertical files and LibGuides.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Experience and commitment to serving the needs and interests of a diverse, creative population of students, faculty, and staff.
Knowledge of best practices in collections care, handling, and security protocols in Archives and Special Collections settings.
Experience with library management systems (AEON, ArchivesSpace, Sierra preferred).
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Proven problem solving skills with strong attention to customer service.
Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks that might share the same deadline.
Ability to work collegially and independently as a member of a small team that is flexible and extremely responsive to users.
Experience and ability to work on both Windows and Mac platforms and with the Google and Microsoft Office Suites.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of training and experience required.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in a customer service role in a library, museum, special collections, archives or relevant setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience and interest in fine art, design, applied art or art history.
Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and experience with web design.
Experience with exhibition design and installation.
Knowledge of digitization standards and practices and experience digitizing collections.
Experience with photo editing software.

Union:

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week, 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time, Regular, Non-Exempt

Grade:

04/CT

Work Modality

On-campus

To Apply

https://risd.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/RISDLI/job/Providence/Lead-Reader-Services-Assistant_R-01278

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)