Reading Room Student Assistant, Harvard Radcliffe Institute (Cambridge, MA)
Posted April 19, 2024
Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America
Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Reading Room Student Assistant
Hours: 14 hours/week with weekly schedule to be determined.
The Library is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
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 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 focus, 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 Access Services Coordinator, the Reading Room Assistants support the work of the Department. The Assistants work in the Reading Room; retrieve and reshelve requested materials; check-in and return off-site material; help monitor material handling in the Reading Room; scan materials for remote researchers; and assist Research Librarians and Archivists with projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
Required:
Able to commit to a set weekly schedule.
Professional and courteous approach to working with a wide range of researchers and staff.
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 or other Special Collections work experience or customer service experience.
Familiarity with Aeon.
Interest in women and gender studies/history.
Salary: $20.00/hour
Start date: June 2024
To apply: Application deadline: Friday, May 3rd
How to Apply
Submit cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Madeleine Murphy (they/them)
Access Services Coordinator