Collections Care Associate

MIT•Cambridge, MA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Collections Care Associate is responsible for the physical care, security, movement, and basic preservation of MIT Libraries’ collections. This on-site role collaborates with library staff to coordinate preservation, conservation, and digitization workflows by inventorying, photographing, documenting, packaging, shipping, tracking, and securely transporting materials while maintaining chain of custody. The Associate will develop and maintain workflow documentation, monitor and distribute archival supplies, and provide backup support for Harvard Depository processing as needed. Responsibilities include performing basic preservation treatments, rehousing collections, replacing storage enclosures, generating labels, tipping in pages, creating book pockets, flattening pages, disbinding notebooks, removing framed materials, and maintaining collection documentation. The Associate also assists with environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, and emergency response activities. Additional duties include paging and shelving collections, escorting individuals in restricted areas, supporting exhibitions through material preparation and tracking, and staffing the Distinctive Collections Reading Room reference desk to facilitate secure access to collections.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
A minimum of two years of related experience in preservation, conservation, libraries, museums, exhibitions, or other detail-oriented environments.
Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently while recognizing when to seek assistance.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and willingness to learn new tools and software.
Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic environment.
Ability to lift and move objects weighing 10–20 pounds.
Ability to perform work requiring frequent walking, travel between campus locations, and climbing stairs.

Responsibilities

Inventorying, photographing, documenting, packaging, shipping, tracking, and securely transporting materials while maintaining chain of custody.
Developing and maintaining workflow documentation.
Monitoring and distributing archival supplies.
Providing backup support for Harvard Depository processing.
Performing basic preservation treatments, rehousing collections, replacing storage enclosures, generating labels, tipping in pages, creating book pockets, flattening pages, disbinding notebooks, removing framed materials, and maintaining collection documentation.
Assisting with environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, and emergency response activities.
Paging and shelving collections.
Escorting individuals in restricted areas.
Supporting exhibitions through material preparation and tracking.
Staffing the Distinctive Collections Reading Room reference desk to facilitate secure access to collections.