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Reading Room Assistant, Schlesinger Library – Harvard Radcliffe Institute (Cambridge, MA)

Posted July 8, 2026

Library:

Each year, the Schlesinger Library provides research assistance to thousands of individuals studying the history of women and gender in the United States. The library’s holdings include manuscript collections of individuals, families, and organizations and a wide range of published materials and rare books. Topics include women’s rights, suffrage, feminism, health and sexuality, social reform, culinary history, and much more.

Description:

Under the supervision of the Access Services Coordinator, the Reading Room Assistants support the work of the Research Services Department. The Assistants answer questions about reading room operations and library circulation 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 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:

14 hours/week with weekly schedule to be determined.

The Schlesinger Library is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm

Eligibility:

This is a pre-professional position open to currently enrolled MLIS students.

Salary:

$21.00/hour

Start date:

September 2026

How to Apply:

Submit cover letter, resume, and three references to: Madeleine Murphy (they/them), Access Services Coordinator,[email protected].

Application deadline:

Application review will begin on Monday, July 27th. Applications will continue to be accepted until Friday, July 31st.

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