Front Desk and Library Support Assistant

Front Desk and Library Support Assistant
American Philosophical Society
“Promoting Useful Knowledge since 1743”

The American Philosophical Society (APS) seeks to hire a Front Desk and Library Support Assistant to support access to the APS and its Library & Museum.

THE POSITION

This entry-level position is the primary staff member at the front desk who greets, directs, and assists all visitors to Library Hall. They will perform a variety of public services, technical services, security tasks, and administrative duties to assist with the operations at the APS and its Library & Museum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reporting to the Head of Access Services, the Front Desk and Library Support Assistant’s duties include:

Access Services:

• Staff the front desk of the library and greet visitors;
• Answer questions and refer visitors to appropriate staff member or department;
• Answer telephone and direct callers to appropriate staff member or department;
• Record tourist attendance;
• Encourage compliance with APS policies and procedures;
• Maintain accurate log of building arrivals and departures;
• Provide visitors with appropriate building access and parking passes;
• Liaise with staff and contractors concerning access issues and facility updates;
• Ensure guests are signed in/out and appropriately escorted throughout the building;
• Assist with researcher registration;
• Report irregularities to the Head of Access Services or the appropriate Senior Staff member;
• Help to implement security policies and monitor security cameras as assigned;

Administration:

• Fulfill reprography requests that arrive through the Digital Library queue in Aeon;
• Process reader invoice payments;
• Order books and other office supplies as requested by Senior Staff;
• Sort and distribute mail;
• Assist Head of Access Services, Senior Staff, and Assistant to the Librarian as needed;
• Assist with meetings, lectures, and staff events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

This is a full-time, onsite position with benefits. The Society offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b with employer match, and paid days off.

Salary: Full-time, annual salary $40,000.

ABOUT THE APS

The American Philosophical Society (APS), the oldest learned society in the United States, was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin for the purposes of “promoting useful knowledge.” In the 21st century, it serves to advance knowledge and promote scholarship in the humanities and social, mathematical, life, and physical sciences. Members of the Society are elected from among the most eminent scholars and civic and cultural leaders in North America and abroad. More than 100 living APS Members are Nobel laureates.

The APS’s Library & Museum collections make it among the premier institutions for documenting and exhibiting the history of the American Revolution and founding, the history of science from Newton to NASA, Native American languages and culture, and the development of American anthropology. The Library houses over 14 million manuscripts, 275,000 volumes and bound periodicals, 250,000 images, fine art, and other objects. Museum exhibitions interpret these extensive collections for the regional, national, and international visitors who come to Philadelphia’s historic district. In so doing, the exhibitions aim to nurture the spirit of inquiry, promote critical thinking, and engender enthusiasm for object-based learning by using primary source documents and authentic objects. The Library & Museum also hosts a robust fellowship program, offering over 25 short-term and 10 long-term fellowships each year to scholars using its collections.

For Further Information on Library & Museum Collections visit:

http://www.amphilsoc.org/library and http://amphilsoc.pastperfectonline.com/

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word);
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent public service and organizational skills;
• Ability to enforce policies in a professional and personable manner;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Demonstrated interest in archives, libraries, museums, and/or public history.

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.