John A. Lowe III '73 Special Collections Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Williams College, London

3d • $22

About The Position

The John A. Lowe III '73 Special Collections Fellowship at Williams College is designed to bring diverse perspectives to the library profession by introducing recent Williams graduates to a career in Special Collections librarianship. Fellows are introduced to a wide variety of professional activities in archives and rare book libraries, to professional development opportunities, and (optionally) to developing a portfolio for application to a graduate program in Library Science or an allied profession. Eligibility: Only Williams College graduating seniors (Spring 2026) and recent Williams College graduates (within the previous five years) are eligible to hold this position. Pay is $22.00 per hour for a full-time (37.5 hours per week), fully benefited year-round position. The initial appointment is for one year, renewable up to three years. The Library will provide professional support including career mentorship and an annual allowance of up to $2,000 for professional development expenses. Benefits include eligibility for tuition reimbursement of graduate coursework beginning after 6 months of employment. A resume and cover letter are required for your application to be considered; please submit a cover letter in a separate document in your application. In the cover letter, applicants should address: Their interest in a career in Special Collections or Rare Book Librarianship or Archives How they will promote the fellowship’s goal of preserving multiple voices and diverse perspectives in the archives and aligning Special Collections programming with the Williams curriculum. Application review will begin on February 3, 2026. Please visit http://careers.williams.edu to apply. Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at [phone] or email at [email protected]. Instructions for Applicants The mission of Williams College, “to provide the highest quality liberal arts education,” is advanced by the rich variety of backgrounds and experiences that faculty, staff, and students bring to the work that we do together. The college is committed to building and sustaining a learning and working environment where members from all backgrounds can learn, live, and thrive. We are deeply committed to our employees, providing tuition assistance, excellent benefits, and a warm and welcoming professional environment. We are looking for candidates who share our values in prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and sustainability. Located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Williams offers a rich academic environment in a beautiful setting. The Berkshires—known as a cultural corridor—are a great place to live, work, and play. With natural beauty, rich history, and top-notch schools, there Berkshires hosts an array of recreational opportunities from world-class museums to hiking trails. The New York Capital Region, Albany International Airport, and Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Train Station are just an hour away, and Boston and New York City are within a three-hour drive. The college's vibrant 450-acre campus is home to approximately 2,000 students who bring vibrancy to picturesque Williamstown. Many people relocate here for their job at Williams but stay for the community connections that they build. We hope you’ll take some time to explore the resources here and get to know more about our community–the one here on campus as well as the broader communities of Williamstown and the Berkshires.

Requirements

• Only Williams College graduating seniors (Spring 2026) and recent Williams College graduates (within the previous five years) are eligible to hold this position.
• A resume and cover letter are required for your application to be considered; please submit a cover letter in a separate document in your application.
• In the cover letter, applicants should address: Their interest in a career in Special Collections or Rare Book Librarianship or Archives How they will promote the fellowship’s goal of preserving multiple voices and diverse perspectives in the archives and aligning Special Collections programming with the Williams curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Engages in outreach to student and alumni organizations.
• Assists in preparing exhibitions using rare and special collections.
• Assists Special Collections staff by researching complex reference queries.
• Assists the Community Engagement Archivist in administering the oral history program by researching and conducting interviews.
• Arranges, describes, and catalogs Special Collections materials to provide intellectual access and physical control.
• Assists in the maintenance of order of collections by accurately and efficiently shelving and retrieving material from the stacks.
• With guidance from professional librarians and archivists, explores their interest in a career as a librarian or archivist.
• Participate in committees, task forces, or other groups, to develop professionally and contribute to the management of Williams Libraries.

Benefits

• fully benefited year-round position
• career mentorship
• annual allowance of up to $2,000 for professional development expenses
• eligibility for tuition reimbursement of graduate coursework beginning after 6 months of employment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed