Reading Room Assistant
$56,000–$90,000 year
On-siteNew York City, New York, United States or New York, United States
Job Summary
Retrieve, reshelve, and organize materials for readers and staff while providing handling instructions for rare items. Perform reference desk duties and conduct data entry to support the Morgan's special and reference collections. Maintain the security and safety of the collections by collaborating with colleagues across the institution. This role requires a Bachelor's degree in humanities or library studies, two to three years of relevant experience, and proficiency in Microsoft and Google suites. Candidates must be able to handle heavy books and boxes, work extended periods on a computer, and tolerate moderate dust and odors.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Ability to handle and move heavy books and boxes and wheel carts of books and other collection objects around campus (25–50 lbs.)
- Ability to work for extended periods on a computer
- Ability to tolerate moderate levels of dust and odor generated during normal collection management activities, movement of objects, and cleaning
Desired Qualifications
- Strong background in the humanities (Art History, History, or Literature) with a focus on rare books and manuscripts
- ALA-accredited Master's degree in library, archival, or information studies
- 2–3 years previous work experience in a special collections library reading room or other relevant experience
- Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
- Ability to sustain close attention to detail
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to communicate with diverse library users and staff
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
- Familiarity with Integrated Library Systems (i.e., Voyager or FOLIO)
- Familiarity with a major Western foreign language (i.e., French, German, Italian, or Spanish)
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