Reading Room Supervisor, University Libraries

Overview

The Pennsylvania State University Libraries seek a Reading Room Supervisor to oversee the essential work that goes into making rare and archival collections accessible for research, teaching, and scholarship in the Eberly Family Special Collections Library.

The Reading Room Supervisor’s key responsibilities will focus on public services and reference desk management, part-time and student employee supervision, and student and community outreach and engagement to extend the library’s impact. This role will be a vital part of the library’s scholarly reputation by serving as the first contact researchers from around the world make with the University Libraries. The supervisor will foster a welcoming space and a learning, collaborative environment for the staff they oversee.

Position specifics

Responsibilities

• Public Services and Reference Desk Management: communicate with researchers regarding research visits to Special Collections; guide researchers in accessing and using materials through in-person consultations and reference support; ensure desk shifts are filled and staffed; schedule semester-long desk shift assignments; provide weekly coverage at the reference desk; review, evaluate, and update policies and procedures for public services in collaboration with colleagues;
  
  assist with remote reference requests involving Special Collections materials.

• Supervisory Responsibilities:
  
  supervise part-time and student employees and graduate students; conduct peer management of colleagues at the reference desk; triage and prepare projects and tasks for student and part-time employees; onboard and train new team members in public services workflows and best practices.

• Student and Community Outreach and Engagement: assist in facilitating and coordinating engagement events and outreach activities with our Special Collections Library and campus/community partners; facilitate or assist with assigned events and activities; provide gallery tours; contribute to Special Collections’ social media presence.

Events may include panels, lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and larger University Libraries events such as Open House, De-stress Fest, and Discovery Day. Regular onsite presence at the University Park campus is expected. The Reading Room Supervisor will also participate with the Special Collections Research and Travel grant program to publicize award opportunities, evaluate and select recipients, and communicate about collection resources.

Required Qualifications

• Outstanding interpersonal skills; ability to foster engagement through active listening, responsiveness, and relationship-building

• Demonstrated ability to be inclusive and respectful when working with others

• Committed to delivering exceptional service with proven experience in customer-facing roles

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Outstanding organizational and time-management skills

• Reliable, detail-oriented, self-motivated worker; comfortable with working independently with minimal supervision

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience providing and supporting experiential learning opportunities for students

• Knowledgeable about proper handling techniques for archival and rare book materials

• Understanding of preservation concerns and issues for rare and archival materials

• Experience working in an archives, special collections library, or academic library

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Bachelor’s Degree; 3+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
Required

Certifications:

None

Application Information

Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. Regular onsite presence at the University Park campus is expected. The Libraries support flexible work arrangements when aligned with unit needs and essential duties. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Additional Information

Located within the Paterno Library, the Eberly Family Special Collections Library at Penn State – University Park houses extensive primary source materials and archives across multiple disciplines.

Background Checks

Employment will…