Reference Librarian – Arts & Special Collections - Downtown Main Library

Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library is seeking a Reference Librarian for Arts & Special Collections at the Downtown Main Library in Cincinnati, OH. The role oversees special collections and serves as a liaison to art schools, working with cataloging and digital services to provide access.

Responsibilities include collection development, exhibition housing decisions, assisting patrons with reference queries, and promoting library programs while upholding DEI and organizational

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Library and Information Science is required.
• Two or more years of relevant experience, with Arts & Special Collections experience.
• Driver’s license and driving record acceptable to the Library’s insurer are required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Library’s art and special collections.
• Liaise with community art schools/classes, facilitating visits, displays and engagement.
• Collaborate with Cataloging & Processing and Digital Services to enable access to special collections materials.
• Assist with collection development, valuation, acquisition and de-selection.
• Identify rare and valuable materials in regular collections.
• Coordinate with Conservation Services on treatment and housing for exhibits.
• Make special collections and their stories accessible in multiple mediums via the Digital Library.
• Answer reference and readers’ advisory questions in person, by phone and by email.
• Explain Library policies to the public in a customer-responsive manner.
• Present information about library services to individuals and groups.
• Circulate materials, process holds, register customers, and collect fees.
• Support the Library’s mission of connecting people with ideas and information.
• Uphold the Library’s core beliefs, strategic priorities and pillars of excellence.
• Commit to diversity, equity and inclusion for colleagues and customers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Library science

Art history

Special collections management

Customer service

Independent work

Tech skills

Education

Master's degree in Library and Information Science

Job description

Position:Reference Librarian – Arts & Special Collections - Downtown Main Library

Location: Cincinnati, OH

Job Id:3938

# of Openings:1

REFERENCE LIBRARIAN - ARTS & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS - DOWNTOWN MAIN LIBRARY DATE POSTED: 08.05.2026
POSITION SUMMARY: The Reference Librarian – Arts & Special Collections is responsible for overseeing the Library’s art and special collections.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as the point person for the special collections, working independently or within a team, managing projects with support and guidance from the department manager.
• Serves as liaison to community art schools/classes, facilitating visits, displays, and engagement.
• Works with the Cataloging & Processing Department and the Digital Services team to affect access to special collections materials.
• Serves as a resourcetoassist with collection development and maintenance, includingcollection valuation, acquisition, and de-selection.
• Assistsin identifyingrare and valuable materials in the regular collections.
• Works with Conservation Services to determine appropriate treatment and housing of materials for exhibit, scanning and storage.
• Makes the special collections, the stories they contain, and their historical contexts available in various mediums and curated on our Digital Library.
• Answers library users’ reference and readers’ advisory questions in person, over the telephone and by e-mail.
• Interprets the Library’s policies and procedures to the public in a customer-responsive manner.
• Presents information about library services and programs to individuals and groups.
• Circulates materials to customers, including checking materials in and out, processing holds, registering customers, and collecting fees.
• Supports and advances the Library’s mission of connecting people with the world of ideas and information.
• Embraces and embodies the Library’s core beliefs, strategic priorities, and pillars of excellence.
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts of all colleagues and customers regardless of age, cultural background, ability, ethnicity, family status, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and veteran status.
• Complies with Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library’s workplace expectations, attendance and punctuality, drug-free workplace, harassment in the workplace, and other employment-related policies and procedures; and all other rules, guidelines, requirements, standards, and practices that are applicable to the position.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of library science.
• Knowledge of Art and Cultural History, cultural artifacts, and historical contexts.
• Skill in Special Collections management, including archival practices, preservation techniques, and rare book and item handling.
• Skill in customer service.
• Ability to work independently and with coworkers in a wide variety of situations with minimal supervision.
• Ability to use all technology applicable to the essential functions of the job and commonly used by the Library.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Master's degree in Library and Information Science is required.
• Certifications or licensure:A driver’s license and a driving record acceptable to the Library’s insurance provider are required.
• Years of relevant experience: Two or more years is required. Experience with Arts & Special Collections is required.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and dynamic workforce who is responsive to the needs of our community.

We recruit and hire the most qualified applicant without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, military status, creed or any other legally protected status.