Reference Services Librarian
The Center for Jewish History in New York City illuminates history, culture, and heritage. The Center provides
a collaborative home for five partner organizations: American Jewish Historical Society, American Sephardi
Federation, Leo Baeck Institute, Yeshiva University Museum, and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.
The Reference Services Librarian, under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Public Services, works
closely with other members of the CJH Public Services staff and partner organizations to coordinate the use of
Center resources and collections. This individual is part of the team overseeing the day-to-day operation of
the Reading Room and assisting researchers both on-site and remotely. The Reference Services Librarian
provides bibliographic instruction to patrons and staff, demonstrates proper handling of rare books and
documents, explains Reading Room policies and procedures, and collaborates with other CJH departments
and partner organizations on special projects to advance institutional and departmental goals.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Acting as an exemplary emissary for the Center for Jewish History in interactions with patrons of all
levels of expertise.
• Learning all aspects of reference services at CJH, including the shared online catalog, ArchivesSpace,
and Aeon, a special collections workflow software.
• Managing the requests in the Aeon system to ensure that patrons receive their material in a timely
fashion.
• Responding to user inquiries via in-person and remote reference interviews, phone, and email.
• Greeting and supervising researchers in the Reading Room.
• Disseminating and enforcing Reading Room and CJH partner policies and procedures.
• Assisting patrons with research.
• Providing instruction in the handling of archival, manuscript, and rare materials.
• Paging material from the stacks.
• Assisting patrons/staff and troubleshooting usage of Reading Room technologies, including digital
microfilm readers and public computers.
• Assisting with reproduction requests from researchers and performing digitization.
• Developing and updating online research guides.
• Continually expanding knowledge of collections and relevant history to better assist patrons, staff,
and the broader Center community.
• Assisting with departmental outreach as needed, including in-person and online tutorials and
workshops for visiting students, and promoting primary source literacy.
Qualifications:
• MLIS/MA degree from an ALA-accredited program with a specialization in archives or rare books OR
equivalent combination of education and work in archives or manuscripts environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a collaborative setting.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience implementing standards and procedures for stewardship of materials in an archives or
special collections setting.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of Hebrew and/or Yiddish.
• Knowledge of Jewish history.
Company Benefits
• 15-21 federal and religious holidays off each year in addition to generous vacation, sick and personal
days.
• Full health benefits (medical, dental and vision) with minimal employee contributions.
• Free life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible spending account and commuter benefits.
• Generous 403b retirement benefits.
Salary: $50,000 to $55,000
The Center for Jewish History is committed to diversity and inclusion. Qualified individuals who bring diverse
perspectives to the workplace are especially encouraged to apply.
Please submit cover letter and resume to Lauren Gilbert, Senior Manager for Public Services, at
lgilbert@cjh.org. No phone calls, please.
