Library Assistant

Part time position (16 hours/week, 14.50/hour)

Position Overview:

The Old Sturbridge Village Research Library holds more than 35,000 volumes including periodicals, town

and county records, primers and educational books, as well as secondary sources related to all aspects

of New England culture, economy and society before 1850. More than 1,000 linear feet and 184 square

feet of oversize flat files are dedicated to materials including maps, broadsides, diaries, account books,

letters, and other primary sources documenting life in the region. Included in these materials are family

and business records related to a number of the historic buildings that are now part of the Village’s

campus. A significant visual resources collection includes slides of maps, drawings and other illustrations

taken from printed sources in the Old Sturbridge Village Research Library, as well as collections objects.

It also contains images of Village buildings, exhibitions and events from the institution’s early origins to

the present day.

Reporting to the Director of Curatorial, the Library Assistant will perform a variety of duties including

accessioning and cataloging new library materials; assisting staff and outside researchers in-person, over

the telephone, and via email; maintaining subscriptions; and organizing and shelving library materials.

Specific Duties:

 Assist staff and outside researchers with locating and retrieving library resources

 Maintain accession books and collection catalog for Old Sturbridge Village research library

material

 Process acquisitions and catalog library materials

 Maintain donor files for library gifts; work with collections manager to complete paperwork for

donations of library materials

 Maintain organization of open shelves, special collections, manuscript materials, maps and

other library materials

 Return library materials to proper locations

 Manage and process internal and external requests for images from the Visual Resource Library

and process requests for publication rights and permissions for OSV-owned and copyrighted

materials

 Maintain Library patron, storage and work spaces in a neat, organized, professional and user-

ready condition

 Oversee the work of library volunteers and interns in coordination with the Director of

Curatorial

 Design several small case exhibits per year highlighting library collections

Qualifications:

 Two to five years of library experience is required

 Bachelor’s degree in history, material culture or related field or an equivalent combination of

education, training and experience

 Familiarity with Dewey decimal system, archival management and/or special collections is highly

desirable

 Familiarity with professional library practices, policies and procedures

 Demonstrated organizational and problem solving skills

 Experience with Microsoft Office and related systems

 Ability to work efficiently with minimum supervision

 Must be organized as well as flexible, and able to be self-directed in prioritizing tasks and work

 Excellent interpersonal skills

 Ability to work with museum staff and general public in a courteous and tactful manner