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Reference Librarian and African American History Subject Specialist

Pay Type:

Salary

Job Status:

Full Time

Minimum Salary/Hourly Rate:

$45,000.00

Maximum Salary/Hourly Rate:

$50,000.00

The Library Company of Philadelphia

The Library Company of Philadelphia seeks a Reference Librarian and African American History Subject Specialist. As Reference Librarian, the candidate will work as part of a team to assist all readers with our text-based special collections in the Scheide Reading Room. As a subject specialist, the Reference Librarian will be the primary voice on staff to assist readers with the use of our printed and published African American history resources. They will also provide support for the Director of our Program in African American History to promote greater awareness and use of this renowned collection.

Specific duties include:

•   Providing research assistance, providing instruction on digital resources, tracking collections use in the Koha ILS circulation module, paging and reshelving collection materials, and answering remote reference inquiries via phone, email, etc.
•   Assisting fellows and readers in using the African American history collection
•   Providing on-site support for the Director of the Program in African American History (PAAH) and for PAAH activities, such as public programs, the annual month-long Mellon Scholars summer program, and the selection of PAAH fellows
•   Developing the African American history collection by recommending acquisitions of rare books and graphics
•   Providing administrative support to manage the Fellowship program
•   Compiling monthly and yearly statistics as needed
•   Writing content for the LCP website, newsletter, annual report, etc.
•   Performing other duties as assigned

Qualifications: B.A. required, M.A. and/or M.L.I.S. preferred; experience working with the general public and with special collections materials desired; demonstrated writing ability; good verbal communication; ability to work in a team and individually; ability to work on several projects simultaneously.

Salary: $45,000-$50,000, with a generous benefit package, including 403b Contributions, Health, and Dental Plans. This position is full time, in-person/on-site.

To Apply

The Library Company of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, supporting, and investing in a diverse team of talented, creative, and passionate staff members who have a shared vision of our mission. Therefore, we encourage qualified candidates that represent and embody the diversity found within our community to apply.

Interested candidates should submit a single PDF comprising a cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position and a résumé or CV to jobs@librarycompany.org. Please include the title of the position and your last name in the subject line of the email. References will be requested for finalists.

Founded in 1731, the Library Company of Philadelphia is an independent research library concentrating on American history and culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Free and open to the public, the Library Company houses an extensive non-circulating collection of rare books, manuscripts, broadsides, ephemera, prints, photographs, and works of art. Our mission is to foster scholarship in and increase public understanding of American history before 1900 by preserving and interpreting the valuable materials in our care. The Library Company connects with thousands of visitors annually, ensuring that the lessons of the past will continue to amaze, instruct, and inspire future generations. We serve a diverse constituency throughout Philadelphia and the nation, offering comprehensive reader services, an internationally renowned fellowship program, online catalogs, and regular exhibitions and public programs.