Reading Room Student Assistant, Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, (Cambridge, MA)
Posted July 17, 2025
Job Description
Each year, the Schlesinger Library provides research assistance to thousands of individuals studying
the history of women and gender in the United States. The Schlesinger Library’s holdings include
manuscript collections of individuals, families, and organizations. Topics include women’s rights,
suffrage, feminism, health and sexuality, social reform, culinary history, and much more. The Library’s
most frequently used collections include the Papers of Angela Davis, the Papers of June Jordan, the
Papers of Pauli Murray, the Records of the National Organization for Women, and the Schlesinger
Library’s collection of zines and periodicals.
Position Duties
- Under the supervision of the Access Services Coordinator, the Reading Room Assistants support the work of the Research Services Department.
- The Assistants answer questions and offer essential handling guidance for primary source material from the public service desk in the Reading Room; retrieve and reshelve requested materials; check-in and return off-site material; assist with security procedures in the Reading Room; scan materials for remote researchers; and assist Research Librarians and Archivists with projects as assigned.
Qualifications
- Required: Customer service experience or experience in a library or archives environment
- Experience working on a team
- Exceptional focus and close attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks and balance priorities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to lift boxes weighing up to 40 pounds
- Able to commit to a set weekly schedule
- Preferred: Reading Room or other Special Collections work experience
- Experience with an integrated library system, such as Aeon
- Coursework in women and gender studies or history
Hours & Compensation
- 14 hours/week with weekly schedule to be determined. The Library is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm
- $21.00/hour
How to Apply
Submit cover letter, resume, and three references to: Madeleine Murphy (they/them), Access Services Coordinator, [email protected]
Application deadline is Friday, September 1st and this position starts in September 2025.