Rare Books Student Assistant

Title: Rare Books Student Assistant
Division / Dept. : Research & Learning / Special Collections Research Center
Reports to: Rare Books Curator and Special Collection Metadata Librarian
Work Schedule: Minimum of 10, up to 19.5 hours/week (M-F, 8:30am-5:00pm)

Student positions at the University of Chicago Library are available only to University of Chicago students.

Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Rare Books Curator and Special Collection Metadata Librarian:

Assists with

  • Receipt of Special Collections materials from the Library’s Acquisitions Department
  • Preparation and processing of materials for the Library’s Cataloging Department staff
  • Creation of item records for circulation and bibliographic control of Special Collections materials
  • Interpretation of bibliographic records and resolution of bibliographic questions relating to rare books for researchers and staff
  • Bibliographic searching in various paper and online catalogs and records
  • Working on projects relating to the local processing of rare book collections

Other responsibilities include assisting with:

  • Bibliographic support for Rare Books Curator’s collection development and donor relations activities
  • Processing of gift books and other uncataloged materials, including searching and preliminary review of holdings
  • Performing research related to the bibliographical description and content of the collections
  • Recommending and implementing procedures for improved efficiency of processing rare books
  • Participation in departmental exhibition projects
  • Assisting with department duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • Graduate student, required
  • Library experience, preferred
  • Knowledge of one non-English European language, required; Greek, Latin, German, or a Romance language, required
  • Experience with library catalogs and other databases, highly desirable
  • Accuracy, with an eye for detail
  • Ability to organize complex tasks
  • Ability to work well independently
  • Must be able to lift 50-pound boxes.

Student employees of the University of Chicago Libraries are represented by Local 743 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. For more information, see the full bargaining agreement.

Please contact Rebecca Flore, Special Collections Metadata Librarian, atrflore@uchicago.edu once you have filled out an application.

Students interested in working for the library can apply online via our Library Student Employment Application.

In the Resume field of the application, please indicate your interest in this specific position.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with disability.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Disabled / Veterans Employer.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process may contact Human Resources at Library HR with their request.