Historical Library/Archives Assistant

Wisconsin History; Madison, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

The Wisconsin Historical Society, located on the UW-Madison campus, invites applications for Local Work Study Student positions for the 2026-2027 academic year. These on-site roles support library and archives operations, including circulation, shelving, and records work, with training provided.

Anticipated start is late August to September 2026 after a required background check. Positions offer 8–15 hours per week, with schedules aligned to the building's open hours.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail is required.
• Punctual, able to interact with visitors and callers.
• Prior library or archives experience would be great, but we'll train you if you don't have it.

Responsibilities

• Library Circulation: Assist researchers, check materials in and out, retrieve closed stack items.
• Library Shelving: Put away library materials, shift collections and maintain order in library stacks.
• Local Government Records: Inventory and indexing, data entry, and shelving of local records transferred to the state archives.
• McCormick-IH Archives: Copy orders and scanning from a unique corporate archive.

Skills

Attention to detail

Punctuality/interact with visitors

Training available

Job description

Job No: 511949
Division/Organization: Community Partners
Department: Wisconsin Historical Society
Job Type: Local Work Study Student Jobs
Remote Eligbility: Not Remote
Location: HISTORICAL SOCIETY, STATE
Salary/Wage Range or Lump Sum: $14.00
Job Categories: Interpersonal Communication, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Teamwork/Collaboration, Professionalism/Work Ethic, Government and Public Administration, Customer Service, Local Work-Study Required Student Jobs, Libraries, Archives, and Museums

Department Overview

The Wisconsin Historical Society is internationally known for its collections documenting North American history and culture. Although WHS is officially a non-UW employer, its headquarters is located on Library Mall on the UW-Madison campus.

Anticipated Start Date

Late August into September 2026, after required background check is complete.

Anticipated End Date (If Applicable)

Remote Work Eligibility Detail

Not Remote

Anticipated Hours Per Week

Minimum: 8 Maximum:15

Schedule

Help is needed when the building is open to visitors:

• 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
• 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Thursday
• 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM Saturday.

Most positions require weekday (8:00-5:00 Mon-Fri) availability. Some positions require a fixed schedule and others are more flexible. Please supply a list of days and times you are available to work, Monday through Saturday.

Number of Positions

8

Qualifications

Work-study funding for the 2026-2027 academic year is required. If you apply, please indicate the dollar amount of your accepted 2026-2027 work-study award.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Attention to detail is required.
• For public desk positions, punctuality and a willingness to interact with visitors and callers is essential.
• Prior library or archives work experience would be great, but we'll train you if you don't have it.

Position Summary/Job Duties

Tasks vary by department and include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Library Circulation: Assist researchers, check materials in and out, retrieve closed stack items.
• Library Shelving: Put away library materials, shift collections and maintain order in library stacks.
• Local Government Records: Inventory and indexing, data entry, and shelving of local records transferred to the state archives.
• McCormick-IH Archives: Copy orders and scanning from a unique corporate archive.

Vacancies in other departments may arise during fall 2026.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and/or push a wheeled cart full of print collections.
• Ability to reach up to upper shelves and bend/crouch down to shelves near the floor in stacks.
• Part of one Library collection is accessible only by stairs.
• Many tasks require computer use and therefore regular screen time.

Institutional Statements

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu

Advertised: August 18, 2026 09:00 AM Central Daylight Time
Applications close: September 11, 2026 11:55 PM Central Daylight Time