Reader Services Librarian

Reader Services Librarian

Are you a trained librarian with experience working with the public? Are you the sort of person strangers stop on the street or in stores to ask for help because you have a friendly, approachable aspect? Then we have the position for you.

The Athenaeum seeks a part-time Reader Services Librarian with an emphasis on reference work, as part of the public services team, staffing the reference and circulation desks. The Reader Services Librarian reports to the Head of Reader Services.

The Reader Services Department welcomes everyone as part of the Front Desk Team with the Membership Department; together both create the primary focus of caring for the overall welcoming experience. The Front Desk Team is charged with enhancing guests' interactions with the Athenaeum in a friendly and knowledgeable way and can answer questions, direct guests to the appropriate person, and offer information about membership and entry.

Regular

Schedule:

This is a 24-hour per week, part-time non-exempt position, with regular evening and Saturday hours. The Athenaeum is open Monday through Thursday, 9 - 8 pm, and Friday and Saturday, 9 am - 5 pm. An example of a possible schedule would be:
Tuesday, 9 am - 12 pm, Wednesday 12 - 8 pm, Thursday, 12 - 8 pm, Saturday 9 am - 5 pm.

• Answers scholarly, ready reference, and readers' advisory questions in person, by telephone, and by email in a timely manner
• Provides research assistance to members, fellows, and the broader scholarly community interested in our special collections
• Instructs and assists members and staff in the use of the library catalog and online resources
• Helps the Head of Reader Services conceive, organize, and occasionally lead discussion groups for members
• Assists in overall promotion of the library and reading by acting as a "book concierge"
• Is an avid reader, knowledgeable in current trends in literature and able to make recommendations by both word-of-mouth and through displays (physical and online)
• Selects materials for the collection and participates in collection evaluation and maintenance.
• Assists in the development of the Library's social media through contributing posts

• Provides a front-line service point offering a welcoming and seamless experience for members and visitors alike
• Charged with enhancing guests' interactions with the Athenaeum in a friendly and knowledgeable way by answering questions, directing guests to the appropriate person, and offering information about membership and entry
• Serve as primary point of expert contact at the front desk, projecting an image of helpfulness, efficiency, and professionalism
• Ability to motivate, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, members, and the public

All members of Reader Services occasionally cover the circulation desk and duties include overseeing all aspects of circulating books: checking out and renewing library materials, placing holds, sending overdue notices, retrieving, reshelving, generally assisting library members in finding materials, and helping to maintain order and provide access in a complex system with materials that inhabit multiple physical locations and classification systems

• Reliable, flexible, collegial, welcoming, efficient, service-oriented
• Able to lift boxes and books, push carts, climb ladders, sit or stand at desk for long periods
• Understands and enforces the library policies and procedures while safeguarding confidential and restricted information.
• Maintain the stacks through regular shifting, labeling, and deaccessioning projects in collaboration with entire Reader Services department
• Assist head of reader services in hiring, training, and managing interns
• Offer library orientation tours
• Prepare books for mailing

Performs other duties as required.

• Master's degree in information and/or library science from an ALA-accredited school, or equivalent degree.
• Experience as reference librarian working with both circulating and special collections materials

• Familiarity with the FOLIO Library Services Platform
• Experience assessing collections for weeding projects

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

Requirements

• Schedule regularly includes evenings and Saturdays

Physical requirements include:

• Moving book carts or a NEAT board
• Climbing stepstools, ladders, and chairs to shelve and retrieve books
• Occasional to frequent lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Requiring long periods of work at computers

The Boston Athenaeum – a unique combination of library, museum, and cultural center in a magnificent landmark building.

We are one of the country's…