Library Assistant

Art and Wellness Enterprises•Bentonville, AR

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a public non-profit charitable organization founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. The museum explores the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. The Momentary, an extension to Crystal Bridges, is a contemporary art space in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, serving as a venue for music, art, and food, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. The Research, Scholarship, and Library team activates communities of learning and provides access to the museum’s library and archival collections, creating new models for reach and impact in art history, public scholarship, library collection activation, and community engagement. The Library Assistant supports circulation and reference, library cataloging, and day-to-day operations, with responsibilities spanning the museum’s reference, rare book, and artist files collections. This role also trains and supervises library volunteers and provides coverage for volunteer-supported activities when volunteers are not available. The library welcomes all museum guests, and the Library Assistant plays a key role in creating an open and engaging guest experience.

Requirements

BA or equivalent experience
One year of related experience in a library, museum, or comparable work environment
Experience working with volunteers or volunteering
Proficient in Microsoft Office; capacity to access and accurately enter data into complex information management systems
Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail and deadlines
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to work independently and to effectively interact with a wide range of colleagues and constituents

Nice To Haves

Experience supervising or coordinating the work of volunteers
Background in library and information science, art history, American history, museum studies, or a related field
Knowledge of print and electronic resources for art
Art subject cataloging experience

Responsibilities

Provide circulation and reference support by issuing library cards and maintaining patron accounts, checking library materials in/out, responding to reference requests, and managing research appointments.
In collaboration with library volunteers and the museum’s technology and facilities teams, manage the physical library space, including computer workstations, the library welcome desk, and the main stacks.
Train and supervise volunteers; create and update volunteer training and reference materials.
Copy catalog new library acquisitions and participate in projects to improve collection metadata.
Support biannual collection inventories of the reference collection and as-needed collection shifts of reference, rare book, and artist files collections.
Support the Librarian in the creation of library information resources and meeting/presentation materials.
Research services and products; inventory and order supplies.
Assist with library tours and public programs.
Participate in department, division, and museum-wide working groups and committees.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Librarian.