JOB POSTING: ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN, Grolier Club Library, New York, NY
The Grolier Club of New York, North America’s oldest and largest society for bibliophiles and enthusiasts in the graphic arts, is seeking a full-time Assistant Librarian. Reporting to the Librarian, the Assistant Librarian supports the maintenance, development, and daily operation of the Grolier Club Library, a ca. 150,000 volume research collection dedicated to the art and history of the book.
This position is funded by a gift from the Florence Gould Foundation in honor of Mary K. Young and her dedicated service to the Grolier Club Library.
DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
REFERENCE AND PUBLIC SERVICES. Primary responsibility for overseeing the operation of the reading room. Answers reference queries from members and non-members. May occasionally be asked to mount library exhibitions and assist class visits to the library. Performs and oversees scanning, digital photography, and photocopying of library materials. Supports social media and outreach initiatives through regular contributions to the library’s Instagram account and longer-form posts to the library blog.
COLLECTION MAINTENANCE. Shelves incoming books, periodical issues, and auction and dealer catalogs and updates catalog records for these holdings as necessary. Takes primary responsibility for the retrieval and replacement of material paged for researchers. Shifts library materials and identifies and processes items for off-site storage. Conducts shelf-reading and general inventory projects. Assists in maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the library and library materials in all areas of the Club.
PRESERVATION/CONSERVATION. Measures fragile items for enclosures. Assesses the condition of library materials in the course of daily operations and makes recommendations for preservation actions to the Librarian. Rehouses material as needed. Assists in the development and maintenance of disaster planning efforts.
CLERICAL. Sorts through daily mail and keeps catalog/periodical table neat and up-to-date. Takes Minutes at staff meetings.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
–Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited library school or combination of education & professional library experience.
–Professional experience in a library, special collections, museum, or cultural organization.
–Proficiency in basic Microsoft office applications and automated library systems.
–Strong attention to detail.
–Excellent communication skills.
–Ability to take direction and to work independently.
–Knowledge of basic preservation and conservation standards for rare books, as well as demonstrated experience handling rare books.
–Interest in rare books and/or the antiquarian book trade.
–Ability to work in conditions where dust is frequently encountered, lift boxes weighing up to 30 lbs; push and pull loaded book carts and other library equipment and materials; and work for prolonged periods in standing, bending, and stooping positions
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
–Reading knowledge of French, German or another European language.
–Experience providing reference services to library patrons.
–Project management experience
–Coursework in rare books or special collections librarianship.
HOURS, SALARY AND BENEFITS
The Assistant Librarian is a full-time position; preferred hours are Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00.
Salary: $45,000 per year plus benefits.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references with contact info to Meghan Constantinou, Librarian, mconstantinou@grolierclub.org.
The preferred start date for this position is December 3, 2019.
