Employment

Assistant Coordinator for Collections Relocation

Rare Book School (RBS) provides continuing-education opportunities for students from all disciplines and skill levels to study the history of written, printed, and digital materials with leading scholars and professionals in the field.

We are seeking an organized and detail-oriented individual with an interest in rare books to assist with an exciting new chapter in our 40-year history: the move back into the University of Virginia’s main library. The job will entail careful work with inventorying collections, organizing books, conducting shelf moves, and assisting with displays. The individual will also receive training to perform some preservation work and to conduct collections maintenance (e.g., dusting, cleaning).

The successful candidate will demonstrate an interest in responsibility caring for books, and will be methodical with strong hand-eye coordination. The job requires the ability to lift up to 40 pounds, as well as someone who can work with potentially dusty materials. The candidate will need to be able to handle and order materials carefully and be punctual and detail-oriented in terms of scheduling their work. They should also have moderate proficiency with Excel and Word.

Tasks:

    • Packing and unpacking rare materials
    • Inventorying rare materials
    • Displaying material
    • Shelf moves and collections shifts
    • Installing exhibition materials
    • Labeling boxes
    • Some preservation work

Desired but not required qualifications:

    • Previous experience working in a library or similar education setting
    • An interest in books as objects, and/or librarianship, curation and/or preservation
    • A background in photography and/or graphic design
    • Driver’s license
    • Use of a car

Rare Book School is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer as a nonprofit affiliated with the University of Virginia. RBS is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment that embraces a richly diverse representation of human attributes, perspectives, and disciplines. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, citizenship status, Vietnam era or special disabled veteran’s status, or sexual orientation. We champion an accessible, diverse, and inclusive learning environment and invite candidates to review Rare Book School’s Inclusive Excellence goals (see http://www.rarebookschool.org/inclusive-excellence-plan).

This is a 40-hour-per-week, short-term position that begins on 7 September 2023 and concludes on 22 January 2024. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA, and requires on-site work in the office and collection. The position pays $15 an hour, and it is managed within Rare Book School’s Department of Collections and Exhibitions.

To apply, please send a resumé and cover letter addressing the job requirements listed above to barbara.heritage@virginia.edu. We welcome inquiries. Application should be tendered before 31 August 2023, if at all possible; thereafter, applications will be considered on a rolling basis until a successful applicant is found.