Public Services Librarian, Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, RI

Posted June 25, 2025

Job Description

The Rhode Island Historical Society seeks a full-time (37.5 hours/week) Public Services Librarian. This position reports to the Senior Manager of the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center (RRC). The successful candidate will be an energetic and innovative professional able to thrive in a busy research library with multiple responsibilities, projects and deadlines. The Public Services Librarian will assist researchers with in-person and virtual information requests, assist in monitoring the reading room and
coordinating coverage with other RRC staff, and will work with volunteers and interns.

This position will be responsible for collecting, aggregating, and reporting statistics relating to reader services operations and conducting special projects to support the goals, priorities, and mission of the RIHS. The successful candidate will be able to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.

Founded in 1822, the Rhode Island Historical Society is the fourth oldest state historical society in the United States. “Collections” at the RRC refers to all material and digital holdings of lasting historical, cultural, or artistic value collected by the RIHS to document the history of the state and its people: more than 100,000 books and pamphlets dating from the 16th century to the present; the the largest surviving collection of newspapers produced in Rhode Island (much of it on microfilm); and more than 1,200 manuscript and archive collections measuring roughly 8,000 linear feet. Other printed material includes posters and graphic prints, ephemera, maps, and broadsides. Graphics include over 900,000 photographs (prints, negatives, and slides), 17,000 reels of microfilm, 20,000 architectural plans, 4,000 drawings, 9 million feet of moving picture film and 3,000 sound recordings. For more information about the organization, please visit our website at www.rihs.org.

Responsibilities

Provide excellent and timely front-line reference and information services (in person and via email, phone, and postal mail) for the RIHS library and museum collections, including books, manuscripts, audio-visual materials, and museum objects.
Foster a welcoming environment for researchers.
Maintain statistics for administrative and project reports.
Manage reading room resources and work with other Society staff to help meet the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.
Assist with tours, workshops, and bibliographic instruction.

Required Qualifications

MLS or MLIS from an ALA-accredited program (concentration in special collections and/or archives is preferred).
1-2 years of experience working in libraries—special collections library / archival experience preferred.
Familiarity with basic metadata standards such as RDA, MARC, LCSH, and DublinCore.
Able to lift and carry up to 30 lbs.
Understanding of best practices in reference services, database searching, and subject bibliography.
Familiarity with best practices and methods in rare book and manuscript collections.
Knowledge of business applications (MS Office, Google Workspace, etc.) and content management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of American history and its reference and bibliographic resources.
Familiarity with genealogy resources.

Salary and Benefits

Annual salary of $45,000; Health care insurance starting the 1st of the month following date of hire. TIAA/CREF retirement plan after completing twenty-four (24) months of employment. Life and Disability Insurance. Sick time, 15 paid holidays and vacation time.

How to Apply:

Please email a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to [email protected] with “Public Services Librarian” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. No phone calls, please. The Rhode Island Historical Society is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.