Collections Assistant

Rare Book School, an international institute located at the University of Virginia, is seeking to hire two conscientious, detail- and service-oriented UVA undergraduate or graduate students for the part-time position of Collections Assistant. (Applicants who can stay in the position for at least two years are especially encouraged to apply.) This is a contract for 10–15 hours a week. The starting wage is $16.00 an hour. Successful applicants can begin work March 17 (or earlier, depending on their time of application).

As a part-time member of Rare Book School’s Collections Team, the Collections Assistant will contribute to the organization and preservation of RBS’s collection of 100,000 items, including books, manuscripts, ephemera, printing surfaces and other book historical artifacts. The Collections Assistant’s duties include:

• Labeling, stamping, and flagging newly cataloged books and items
• Creating archival-quality enclosures such as Melinex folders, custom boxes, and dust jacket covers for books and related materials
• Photographing collections materials
• Shelving and shelf-checking collections materials
• Organizing and moving collections
• Dusting and cleaning collections storage areas
• Assisting with preparatory work for RBS exhibitions
• Assisting with installing RBS’s public-facing exhibitions
• Assisting with RBS events and programs, including open houses and courses
• Updating existing catalog records and creating new basic catalog records

Required qualifications:

• A strong, demonstrated interest in book history, book arts, curation, conservation, preservation, librarianship, archives, bibliography, languages, and/or history

Desired qualifications:

• Solid communication skills and clear handwriting
• Previous experience working in a library setting
• Studio arts experience (printmaking, letterpress printing, &c.) and/or experience with a craft that requires manual dexterity and precision
• Ability to lift 40 pounds and climb step ladders

Please note that the RBS workspace is a standard special collections library environment with possible exposure to mold and dust.

Please send an up-to-date CV, a cover letter, and the names and contact information through the RBS system. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials starting February 14 for review on a rolling basis by RBS’s Collections Team. The position will remain posted on RBS’s website, and RBS will continue to accept applications until both positions are filled. 

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).