Library Assistant

American Alpine Club; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AAC Membership

Pro-deals

Sick leave

Job summary

The American Alpine Club is recruiting three temporary full-time Library Assistants to support a time-bound project to process, inventory, and box collections. This on-site role requires attention to detail and prior library/archival experience.

Responsibilities include systematic inventory, metadata application, and documenting workflows. Lifting boxes and handling historical materials is expected; MLS/MLIS students are welcome to apply.

Qualifications

• Experience in Library Science, Archival Studies, Museum Studies or related field; MLS/MLIS students welcome.
• Knowledge of archival techniques, metadata standards, digitization, and digital preservation preferred.
• Experience with special collections, fragile materials, and archival inventorying.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a systematic inventory of library, archival, and museum holdings.
• Assess materials condition and flag items needing attention.
• Apply consistent naming conventions and metadata standards for usability.
• Produce documentation of workflows and decisions for the project.
• Help keep Library, Common Space, and Storage Areas safe and clean.
• Perform additional library duties as assigned by the Library Director.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Google Suite

Team collaboration

Education

BA or MA in related field

MLS/MLIS student

Job description

Compensation: $25 per hour, 32-40 hours per week

Employment Type: Temporary, Project-Based (5 months, approximately November 1 - March 30)

FLSA Code: Non-exempt

Organizational Size: 20–35 staff

The American Alpine Club is preparing to move its collections and is hiring three temporary full-time Library Assistants to support this time-bound project to process, inventory, and box the print, archival, and object collections. This position is 100% on-site and in-person.

The Library Assistants 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, alongside library, archives, and/or museum experience. The candidate should be comfortable moving and lifting assets, including delicate materials and reasonable boxes of books. This position suits someone 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, archival, and museum holdings, including books, periodicals, manuscripts, photographs, and objects.
• 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 and ensure all assets are locatable.
• Aid in the team effort to keep the Library, Common Space, and Storage Areas safe and clean.
• Additional library duties as assigned by the Library Director.

Qualifications

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

Environment

50% Desk work – Typical office work on a computer utilizing Excel, G Suite, 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.

Benefits

The AAC offers limited benefits for temporary part-time positions, including sick leave, pro-deals, and AAC Membership.

The AAC is an equal-opportunity employer

The AAC is an equal-opportunity employer. Your gender, religion, sex life, skin color, first language, marital status, and size and ability of your body do not factor into employment decisions here.

About the AAC

Founded in 1902, the American Alpine Club (AAC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing climbers with resources that advance knowledge, inspiration, and advocacy. Through our rescue benefit and medical expense coverage, climbing and grief grants, campgrounds, and discounts, we are committed to empowering our members. We share knowledge and inspiration through the American Alpine Journal, Accidents in North American Climbing, and preserving climbing history in the AAC Library and Archives. Finally, we advocate for our members and the places we climb by breaking down barriers to climbing and seeking to preserve our climbing landscapes and public lands nationally and locally. At the AAC, we are connected through our passion for climbing. United We Climb.