Research Librarian, Old Sturbridge Village, (Sturbridge, MA)

Posted March 1, 2024

Title: Research Librarian

(Full-time/benefitted)

Job Summary:

Old Sturbridge Village is hiring a Research Librarian who will be reporting to the Director of Collections and Research. This role will perform a variety of duties including managing the daily activities in the Research Library, accessioning and cataloging new library materials; processing manuscript collections; arranging, describing, and preserving historic manuscripts; digitization through photography and scanning; records management; assisting researchers and staff in-person; and organizing and shelving library materials. A major focus of this role in the immediate future will be working with the Director of Collections and Research to plan and execute a major move of the Village’s institutional archives to a building on campus that is being renovated specifically to hold archival materials. This project is expected to take one to two years. This role will contribute to Old Sturbridge Village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

The Old Sturbridge Village Research Library holds more than 35,000 volumes including periodicals, town and county records, primers, and educational books, as well as secondary sources related to all aspects of New England culture, economy, and society before 1850. More than 1,000 linear feet and 184 square feet of oversized flat files are dedicated to materials including maps, broadsides, diaries, account books, letters, and other primary sources documenting life in the region. Included in these materials are family and business records related to a number of the historic buildings that are now part of the Village’s Campus. A significant multimedia resource collection includes slides of maps, drawings, and other illustrations taken from printed sources in the Old Sturbridge Village Research Library, as well as collection objects. It also contains images of Village buildings, exhibitions, and events from the institution’s early origins to the present day.

Old Sturbridge Village is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff, and OSV community members. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a Master of Library and Information Sciences degree and experience with archival collections.
Four+ years of library experience preferred, particularly in an archive, museum, or research library.
Experience managing a diverse library collection including historic manuscripts, maps, bound volumes, microfilm, audio, video, photographic, and digital collections.
Familiarity with the Dewey decimal system and/or special collections is highly desirable.
Familiarity with archival and professional library practices, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office and related systems.
Experience with collections management systems.
Strong understanding of archival standards.
Ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
Must be organized as well as flexible, and able to be self-directed in prioritizing tasks and work.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to work with museum staff and the general public courteously and tactfully.
Candidate must have the ability to work cooperatively with diverse groups as well as a demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Demonstrated commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Essential Duties:

Assist staff and outside researchers with locating and retrieving library resources.
Process acquisitions and catalog library materials including manuscripts, AV materials, and accession books.
Maintain organization of the stacks.
Return library materials to proper locations.
Maintain Library patron, storage, and work spaces in a neat, organized, professional, and user-ready condition.
Maintain deeds of gifts and paperwork relating to the library collection.
Provide the best experience for all OSV learners. Greet and orient audiences to the Village preparing them for their experience.
Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Assist with educational programming for Old Sturbridge Academy as well as other youth and adult educational programs at the museum.
Share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of teaching spaces and the entire museum.
Maintain subscriptions for publications and institutional memberships for professional organizations.
Understand, identify, and appropriately respond to the multiple learning styles of a diverse audience that includes students, families, and other life-long learners. Actively engage these audiences using a range of interpretation techniques including hands-on, participation, tours, immersion, demonstration, recreation, lecture, and others. Master the information and skills necessary to teach specific aspects of the museum to visitors.
Work with colleagues (paid and volunteer) in the development, training, implementation, and review of programs and experiences that meet the diverse needs of OSV audiences.
Participate in special event programs and other special activities; work with Marketing & Public Relations to promote all museum activities.
Participate in various projects or tasks assigned by the Director of Collections and Research.
Safeguard visitors and staff by being alert to foreseeable health and safety hazards.
Understand and observe all Village policies.
Other duties as required.

Old Sturbridge is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or membership in the uniformed services.

How to Apply

Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at [email protected]