Job Details
The Folger Shakespeare Library knows that an exceptional staff is the backbone of any great organization. We hire exceptionally qualified individuals who are committed to the mission, vision, and values of our organization. Our recruitment process strives to be interactive, accessible, and responsive. Once employed, the Folger provides a generous compensation, leave, and benefits package, as well as many opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Job Description:
The Folger Shakespeare Library, located on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, is seeking a skilled Library Assistant, Circulation to join its collaborative Researcher Services team. This individual, under the direction of the Circulation Services Manager, assists with collection movement for institution-wide programming and supports safe transfer and return of all collection materials throughout the institution.
The Standard schedule for this role is Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, which is a 35-hour workweek with an hour unpaid lunch daily. This position requires rotational Saturday duty from 9 am to 5 pm; these days will be scheduled in advance and provided to staff. This position is fully onsite. The selected candidate will need to be within a commutable distance to the D.C. office (DC, MD, VA) by their start date.
Health & safety: The health and well-being of all staff, contractors, and visitors is our top priority. While the Folger no longer requires masks or vaccinations (except for AEA spaces), we support and encourage individuals to take the safety precautions they are most comfortable with, and we ask that individual choices are respected. The Folger offers organization-funded healthcare plans for full-time staff and extensive leave options to all staff in the case of any health issues that arise.
*Note: Applications for this role will close 5:00pm ET on June 28th. Phone screens will be scheduled for the following week. We encourage you to submit your application (resume and cover letter) early.
Compensation:
- This position is a weekly-paid hourly position, with a pay of $26.50/hr., for a 35-hour week. This role is eligible for overtime for any hours over 40/week.
- Total compensation includes an extensive benefits plan, including fully covered health, dental, and vision insurance, and a generous 403b match, outlined at
Duties: - Under the supervision of the circulation services manager, assists with circulation workflow including reshelving, shelf reading, shifting, and reorganization of collections where needed.
- Assists with the making of collection enclosures and rehousing items where needed as well as making collection handling supplies when needed.
- Serves on circulation service stations and operational shifts to ensure safe transfer and return of all collection materials to and from Reading Room and other hybrid spaces across the institution, approximately 20 hours/week. Periodic Saturday duty.
- Provides reference support as needed.
- Performs other duties or special projects as assigned.
Education and Experience: - Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required.
- Knowledge of one or more of the Folger's subject areas preferred.
- Some experience in academic library environment preferred as well as some experience or knowledge of the handling of rare, fragile, and multimedia material.
- Proficient computer literacy skills required, and familiarity with automated library systems and circulation systems preferred.
Knowledge and Skills: - Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a team and with frequent interruptions.
- Must have the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities with discretion and tact, and to analyze and keep track of myriad details.
- Must be well-organized, accurate, and able to follow through on assignments.
- Must be able to interact confidently and tactfully with library users.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements: This position operates in a professional office and library/museum environment. The employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment, such as fluorescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, cooling fans, semi-enclosed areas, central heating, seasonal warmer temperatures, and office noise. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Occasional scheduled work outside of normal office hours, including Saturday's and late nights. These dates will be prescheduled, with very rare last-minute shifts.
- Must have dexterity to handle fragile items with great care.
- Ability to work at a computer for an extended period of time, with accuracy, is required. Desk includes sit-stand options.
- Must be able to shelve and retrieve books, climb stairs and lift reference material up to 20 pounds and push fully loaded book carts.
- Willingness and capacity to work in an office environment at a workstation, and to come and go repeatedly throughout the day as needed to perform various responsibilities is needed.
- Position requires long stretches of time at a desk, the ability to see and read paper forms, and the ability to observe and identify items carried into and out of the reading room.
- Capacity to communicate, in-person or using video, phone, or electronic communication methods in a manner which can be understood by others, is required.
Interested individuals should submit their cover letter and resume. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted. No phone calls please.
The Folger is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To learn more about our benefits, please click here.