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Collections Care Assistant

Collections Care Assistant 

Full-time, Chicago, IL | Expected Starting Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000 

Summary 

The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) seeks a Collections Care Assistant. This vital role at CRL provides support to the Print Services Unit and reports to the Print Services Manager. The essential responsibilities and functions of the Collections Care Assistant position include assisting with collections care and management by following standard library practices for the handling, storage, pulling, and reshelving of materials.  

As a member of the Global Collections Directorate, the Collections Care Assistant collaborates with team members and contributes towards CRL projects and initiatives that advance collections care and access to collections. 

The ideal candidate for this role has a passion for making knowledge available to researchers equitably and for the preservation of library collections.  

Center for Research Libraries 

Based in Chicago, IL, the Center for Research Libraries is an international consortium of university, college, and independent research libraries and an enduring model for cooperative collection development and community building among the research library community. From its original founding in 1949 by ten member libraries in the Midwestern United States, today CRL represents an international consortium of university, college, and independent research libraries collectively building, stewarding, and sharing a wealth of resource materials from all world regions to support inspired research and teaching. CRL is dedicated to advancing the values and first principles of academic librarianship, including the defense of intellectual freedom, celebration of diversity, advocacy of responsible stewardship, and promotion of social responsibility and the social good. As a place of work, CRL places a high value on excellence, accountability, innovation, inclusivity, and teamwork. Learn more about us and our work here. 

Responsibilities 

Collections Care Support (70%):  

  • Supports physical processing of collection materials 
  • Supports offsite storage workflows 
  • Collaborates with CRL team members on institutional projects 
  • Assists with the training of employees in the Access Initiatives department 
  • Other duties as assigned. 
     

Interlibrary Loan Support (30%): 

  • Supports delivery of CRL collections to its members 
  • Assists with circulation workflows 
  • Supports the CRL ILL team on an as-needed basis 
  • Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications, Education, & Experience 

  • A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (Associate's degree in Library and Information Science or at least 6 years' experience working in a library environment) 
  • Ability to interact effectively with a variety of functions and people and to work well as part of a team to achieve tasks 
  • Demonstrated organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills 
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to closely follow multi-step workflows 
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills 
  • Comfortable with pest management, these duties may include working around dust, dirt, insects, etc. 

Preferred Qualifications & Experience 

  • Experience working in the Cultural Heritage sector, which includes galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and other related non-profit organizations.  
  • Experience with Environmental Monitoring Platforms, such as Conserv or Onset HOBO 

Compensation & Benefits 

This is a full-time, permanent position with an expected starting salary range of $40,000 to $45,000. CRL offers competitive benefits including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, and flexible PTO including vacation, sick, personal time, 2 floating and 12 paid holidays per year. In addition, CRL offers generous retirement benefits with a monthly 10% contribution after a year of employment (immediately vested). Employees will receive funding for professional development activities.

Application process 

Expertise in each requirement listed above is not expected — instead, we encourage applications from those who demonstrate a mix of expertise in some areas and commitment to learning and experimentation in others. Skills and relevant experience outlined in your application may be paid or unpaid, and can include internships, volunteer work, and practicums. We understand that experience, education and learning, and creativity take many forms, and expect that qualified applicants may bring additional skills to this position that we’ve not considered or listed here. If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply! 

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume to resumes@crl.edu [3]. Please include ‘Collections Care Assistant’ in the subject line. We are keen to fill this important position on our team, and applications will be received until the position is filled. Applications received by close of business Wednesday, January 29, 2025 will be given priority attention. 

Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity 

CRL enthusiastically embraces the empathy, courage, self-reflection, and respect of a multi-cultural, diverse, and inclusive workplace, and those who strive to incorporate those values in their work and interactions. CRL is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. CRL is committed to actively promoting the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion as key components for serving our members and advancing our global mission. As such, CRL complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment, hiring and employment and is dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at CRL are based on organization needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. CRL will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.