P/T - Special Collections Ass't. - FIT

PART TIME SPECIAL COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT

Department: Library

Supervisor: Prof. K. Cannell

Days/Hours: 21hrs/wk; Alternate Saturday hours required

Salary: $27.13/hr (Schedule 91/0)

Effective: Immediately


Qualifications

A Bachelor's Degree and five years demonstrated experience in collections management and library and/or museum archival work; or a Master's Degree in Museum Studies or related field of study. Experience may substitute for an advanced degree.

Working knowledge of basic office software MS Suite, digital imaging scanning applications; proficiency working with databases. Knowledge of basic library, archival, and conservation procedures. Experience in handling fragile archival materials and in preservation housing and treatment. Experience in arranging and describing archival and non-print materials according to accepted national standards. Ability to make logical classification decisions and identifying hierarchical relationships among groupings of materials and organizational elements.

Experience with research methods and library use. Bibliographic searching experience using national online bibliographic utilities. Demonstrated capacity to communicate and work effectively and collegially with library staff, faculty, students and outside researchers. Strong organizational and communication skills; detail-oriented; ability to work independently and proactively. Must possess and demonstrate excellent customer service skills, tact, resourcefulness and the ability to work with a diverse constituency. Must be able to work in an environment in which exposure to materials containing dust and mold is probable.

Experience in public services within an academic library setting; Experience with digitization projects; Subject specialty knowledge in Costume, Fashion or Textiles are all preferred qualifications

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Special Collections Associate will provide reader and reference services to Special Collections patrons, including conducting preliminary research interviews, scheduling appointments and retrieving appropriate materials for researchers. Maintain physical arrangement of materials in order to obtain intellectual and physical control of the material including creation of preservation folders, labeling of material, placing material in archival boxes and labeling of boxes, applying various preservation measures including digitization techniques; create and/or edit finding aids for materials; perform basic preservation treatments for library materials, such as but not limited to repairing spines, covers and pages and identify other conservation problems and address them appropriately. Maintain statistical usage data. Responsibilities also include overseeing the Special Collections Reading Room providing security in use of materials by visitors and performing other duties as assigned. Works in a secure area of library with valuable, rare and historic primary research materials and must comply with security procedures and regulations.

The individual may supervise special project library aides, clerks or interns and be able to work independently with minimal supervision. Participate in preparing and updating policies or procedures of the department.

This is a general description and is not to be construed as all-inclusive.

TO APPLY
Qualified candidates from within the College must file their application, cover letter, and resume with the Office of Human Resources, FIT, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, New York, NY 10001-5992.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FIT EMPLOYEES:

March 16th, 2009

Originally posted on a library school listserv.