Archives and Special Collections Public Services Fellow

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Archives and Special Collections Public Services Fellow position. The Archives and Special Collections Public Services Fellow is a part-time (20 hours per week), one-year term position. The expected range for this position is $20.87-22.00 per hour.

The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information.

The Amherst College Library is seeking a part-time Public Services Fellow to support researchers and librarians in the Archives & Special Collections reading room. This is an excellent opportunity to gain reference and special collections experience for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in archives, library science, or other knowledge communities.

Reporting to the College Archivist and working closely with the Archives & Special Collections team, the individual in this position will manage the reading room and provide support for specific special collections projects and tasks as assigned. The Public Services Fellow will work with special collections librarians in providing public services to on-site researchers and in monitoring the operations of the special collections reference desk.

This is a 20-hour per week, year-round, in-person, benefitted position. Hours will be scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:45-4:15; four-hour shifts of 8:45-12:45 and 12:15-4:15. This position is not eligible for remote or hybrid work. This is a one-year term-limited position with the possibility of renewal for an additional year.

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

○ Assist 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)

*Note - this position requires regular lifting of up to 45 lbs.

Qualifications

Required:

• 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

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted.

(Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen)

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.