Reports To:Library Director

Employment Type:Temporary, Project-Based (3-6 months)

FLSA Code:Non-exempt

Organizational Size:2035 staff

The Library Assistant supports time-bound projects to process, inventory, and box the print, archival, and object collections of the American Alpine Club Library. This position is 100% on-site and in-person.

The Library Assistant will work in accordance with established professional standards and internal policies to assess materials, create or refine inventory records, and document collection status and needs. The ideal candidate will have strong attention to detail, familiarity with technology, and library, archives, and/or museum experience. This position is well-suited for an experienced librarian who excels at hands-on collections work and structured project execution.

As the Library Assistant, your responsibilities include:

• Conduct a systematic inventory of designated library and archival holdings, including books, periodicals, manuscripts, photographs, and other media.
  • Inventory archives, books, and object collections with attention to detail and sensitive care of items in poor condition
    • Creating appropriate enclosures or otherwise rehousing materials requiring conservation work
  • Arrange and describe archival materials, adhering to preservation, storage, and handling procedures according to professional standards.
• Deliver periodic progress updates and a final project summary
• Assess materials condition and flag items requiring special attention.
• Apply consistent naming conventions, metadata schemas, and organizational structures to improve collection usability.
• Produce clear documentation of workflows, decisions, and standards applied during the project.
• Deliver periodic progress updates and a final project summary.

Qualifications

• Experience in Library Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies, or a related field; BA or MA preferred. Open to current MLS/MLIS students.
• Experience working with special collections or archives.
• Demonstrated experience with archival inventorying and cataloguing of physical collections.
• Working knowledge of professional archival description and metadata standards.
• High level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
• Subject matter expertise, including knowledge of archival techniques and best practices, digitization, metadata standards, and digital preservation.
• Exceptional project and time management skills.
• Ability to manage project-based work independently while coordinating with a small team.
• Comfort handling historical and potentially fragile materials.
• Bonus: Registrar experience.
• Knowledge of climbing, mountaineering, and outdoor recreation is preferred.

Environment

50% Desk work Typical office work on a computer utilizing Excel, GSuites, Slack, Zoom, and other computer-based programs.

50% Physical work This role involves regular handling of physical materials, standing, lifting boxes up to standard archival weights, and extended periods of focused, detail-oriented work. On-site work is required for most phases of the project.