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
Leave a Reply