Library Assistant - 407028

Atrium; New York (NY); On-site; USD 54,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Atrium Care Package

Job summary

Atrium is seeking a Library Assistant to join the Archives, Library, and Research Collections team in New York. The role supports reader services, acquisitions, cataloging, and interlibrary loan activities, helping ensure accurate, accessible collections for staff and patrons.

Responsibilities include assisting with circulation, shelf-reading, and daily operations, while maintaining strict handling standards for fragile materials.

Qualifications

• Experience handling fragile library materials.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in collection handling, transporting, and shelving.
• Strong teamwork, independence, and collaboration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented with ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist staff and patrons with circulation, reference, and services.
• Maintain stacks, space planning, shelf-reading, and shelving.
• Support circulation desk operations and shifts.
• Oversee daily library operations and process acquisitions and interlibrary loans.
• Participate in ad hoc projects as needed.

Skills

Team orientation

Communication

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented

Project management

Lifting ability

Language skills

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Integrated library systems

Circulation functions

Reference services

Handling special collections

Copy cataloging

Library classification systems

Job description

Client Overview

Our client is one of the world's leading institutions dedicated to art. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and research initiatives, they focus on inspiring creativity, fostering cultural dialogue, and connecting diverse audiences with art. With locations in Long Island City and New York City, the museum and affiliated organizations are committed to innovation, accessibility, and advancing the role of art in society. They are currently looking to add a Library Assistant to their team.

Salary/Hourly Rate

$64,023 (gross) Annually

Position Overview

Our client is looking for a Library Assistant in their Archives, Library, and Research Collections department who will support in the following functions: reader services, acquisitions, resource sharing/interlibrary loans, cataloging, and serials.

Responsibilities Of The Library Assistant

• Assist museum staff and library patrons as needed relating to library circulation, reference, and services.
• Maintain stack areas, including assisting with space planning, performing shelf-reading, and troubleshooting issues that arise within the print collection.
• Support reference and circulation staff by assisting with shifts at the circulation desk.
• Support day-to-day operation of the library, including managing incoming mail, paging/shelving library materials, checking in new acquisitions and checking for duplicates, contributing to the development and maintenance of circulation and reference policies and procedures, processing library materials with labels after cataloging, coordinating circulation activity in ILS and sending out reminders to the museum staff, processing inter-library loan requests for internal/external users, etc.
• Participate in ad hoc projects as needed.

Required Experience/Skills For The Library Assistant

• Experience handling fragile library materials.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in collection handling, transporting, and shelving.
• The Library Assistant should demonstrate outstanding team orientation and flexibility. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Ability to collaboratively manage long-term projects in a continually evolving environment.
• Ability to deal effectively and pleasantly with museum staff and library patrons.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and to reach high and low shelves.
• Reading knowledge of a language, in addition to English, is desirable.

Preferred Experience/Skills For The Library Assistant

• Familiarity with integrated library systems, circulation functions, reference services, handling special collections, copy cataloging, and a general understanding of library classification systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of global modern and contemporary art is preferred.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with a minimum of one to two years of library experience, preferably in an academic, research, or special library environment.
• A master’s degree in library or information science is preferred but not required.

Benefits

• Atrium Care Package available, upon eligibility (including healthcare plans, discount programs, and paid time off).