Graduate Assistant–Access, Engagement, and Exhibitions

Part-time, hourly position reporting to the Director of Access, Engagement, and Exhibitions. Duration: 380 hours; scheduled from August 26, 2026 - June 30, 2027; typically 10 hours a week for 38 weeks during the academic year (September - May), including some time off.

About the position

The Access, Engagement, and Exhibitions Graduate Assistant is a part-time, hourly staff member who will work alongside the Director of Access, Engagement, and Exhibitions and collaborate with Access Services and Archives staff to prepare, develop, and execute exhibitions projects as well as provide access to Library and Archives collections.

This position focuses on exhibitions-related support, reference and research assistance with special collections, as well as support for designing a digital exhibition catalog.

Responsibilities

• Attend planning meetings with exhibiting artists
• Design exhibition plans, proposals, and outreach materials
• Develop, edit, and troubleshoot projects on Manifold.org—an open access digital publishing platform
• Act as a core member of the installation and de-installation team for library-wide and Milstein Center exhibits
• Physically monitor and maintain exhibitions
• Participate in public-facing events, such as tours and workshops
• Staff the Library circulation desk and/or the Archives reading room
• Provide support to researchers through answering online, phone, and in-person reference and research questions

About the Access and Engagement Department

The Access and Engagement Department of Barnard Library provides core library services including circulation, reserves materials, collections maintenance, wayfinding, and study space. This department structures user experience of the library through communications and outreach, exhibitions and displays, programming, and public engagement.

Examples of this work include stacks naming conventions and support for library signage, a student-led library advisory board, workshops, and lobby exhibitions. The annual exhibitions program in the Milstein Center and throughout the Library offers opportunities to collaborate with academic centers to create accessible interdisciplinary experiences.

Installations in the Milstein Lobby Exhibition Space provide a visible and accessible opportunity for both internal and external visitors to engage with research and creative work in our community. These installations explore a variety of interactive modes, from 3-D design and fabrication to time-based media and movement, self-publication through zines, data and computation, as well as the development and showcasing of library and archival collections.

The department seeks to develop and facilitate exhibitions that stimulate interdisciplinary conversations, engage with contemporary issues, and invite participation from viewers and community members beyond the university.

Requirements

• Current enrollment in a graduate program
• Commitment to work from August through June, averaging 10 hours per week

Skills and Qualifications

• Desire to work both collaboratively and independently
• Excellent organizational, research, and communication skills
• Demonstrated interest in libraries and archives, critical studies of architecture, art, art history, public history, digital humanities, science and technology, media studies, performance studies, or related fields
• Experience with art installation, industrial design, or the creation of exhibitions and art display
• Graphic design experience
• Basic coding skills (HTML, CSS)
• Fluency with Creative Suite apps and other design software
• Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by writing samples
• Project management skills (desired)
• Demonstrated interest in adopting practices of inclusion and accessibility to welcome all visitors
• Demonstrated interest in art, art history, architecture, media production, performance, or other creative work
• Ability to assist patrons with research questions

Pay

$33/hour