Archives and Special Collections Public Services Fellow

Summary Of Responsibilities

• Work with the ASC team to oversee Archives & Special Collections reading room operations
• Open and/or close the reading room
• Monitor researchers working in the reading room
• Provide reference and public services to researchers in the reading room
• Absorb researchers in navigating public-facing library systems (including ArchivesSpace, Amherst College Digital Collections, Discovery, Aeon, and FOLIO)
• Provide guidance in the handling of rare books, archival, and manuscript collections
• Work with student assistants and staff to locate, retrieve, and re-shelve collection materials from closed stacks and from off-site storage
• May assist librarians and archivists in special collections instruction (setting up collection materials, facilitating use, etc.)
• Support projects related to rare books, archives, and manuscripts (including outreach, digitization, cataloging, and archival processing)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with coursework in relevant fields such as history, English, or a related area (in lieu of degree - 5-6 years of directly related experience)
• Proven library experience and/or customer service experience
• Excellent communication, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Experience juggling multiple tasks and working towards deadlines
• Sensitivity to the proper care and security of collection materials, including confidentiality of patron and institutional records
• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical and lift test
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks

Preferred

• Demonstrated experience working in archives and/or special collections
• Experience supporting researchers or knowledge of the research process
• Enrolled in an ALA-accredited graduate degree program in library science or related field