Assistant Librarian

Cincinnati Art Museum•Cincinnati, OH

9d•$44,000 - $47,000

About The Position

The Assistant Librarian serves as a primary point of contact for library users, providing a knowledgeable, welcoming, and user-focused experience. The role facilitates access to and use of the Mary R. Schiff Library and Archives collection and supports the research and reference needs of museum staff, volunteers and docents, scholars, and community users. The Assistant Librarian reports to the Head Librarian and helps oversee library operations in the Head Librarian’s absence. The position provides reference and research support, staffs the reference desk, oversees daily Reading Room operations, and assists patrons in discovering and using resources. It also supports circulation, serials management, copy cataloging, interlibrary loans, statistics, the ongoing book sale, library instruction, class visits, training materials, displays, blog posts, volunteer projects, and archival processing under the guidance of the Head Archivist. Occasional weekend and evening hours are required. The Mary R. Schiff Library and Archives is an art research library with a non-circulating collection of more than 100,000 items, including books, periodicals, digital resources, artist files, and auction catalogues. Its collections reflect the Cincinnati Art Museum’s holdings and are particularly strong in decorative arts, fashion, photography, and Cincinnati artists. The library supports the museum’s research and education programs and serves as a public resource.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) from an ALA-accredited program.
Bachelor’s degree in art history or a related discipline.
Two to three years of demonstrated reference experience and/or related experience.
Strong customer service skills and demonstrated success in improving user experience.
Proficiency using integrated library systems, OCLC, and/or other standard library technologies.
Excellent research, oral communication, and written communication skills.
Working knowledge of one or more foreign languages.
Broad knowledge of art history, including research methodology, provenance, and the art marketplace, and specialized print and electronic resources.
Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage workflow, projects, and multiple tasks in a dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with or willingness to adopt new and emerging technologies and systems that expand access to collections.
Experience working with archival and/or special collections.
Prior programming experience or enthusiasm for developing new opportunities for public engagement.

Responsibilities

Provide reference service and research support to library patrons and museum staff in person and remotely.
Staff the reference desk and oversee daily operations in the Library Reading Room.
Welcome and assist patrons of all ages and abilities, guide them in discovering, evaluating, and using resources, and explain library policies and procedures.
Ensure the safe handling of library and archival collections.
Circulate materials to museum staff and maintain circulation and serials management.
Track statistics on library users, materials, and services.
Maintain the ongoing library book sale.
Provide library orientation and instruction for tour groups, students, docents, and new museum hires.
Schedule and coordinate class visits.
Create and update library training materials and guides.
Request interlibrary loan materials for CAM staff and fulfill lending and copying requests from other institutions.
Assist with processing archival collections and other projects under the guidance of the Head Archivist.
Create library displays and blog posts to promote the library.
Perform copy cataloging, including updating item records and locations.
Supervise library volunteer projects.
Maintain collaborative relationships with other museum departments.
Oversee library operations in the absence of the Head Librarian.
Work occasional weekend and evening hours.