LIBRARIAN / ARCHIVIST WANTED

The Schenectady County Historical Society (SCHS) is now accepting resumes from candidates who wish to be considered for appointment as Librarian / Archivist of its Grems-Doolittle Library.  Candidates must hold the MLS degree or equivalent, be familiar with archival practice, and have experience in historical research in general and genealogical research in particular. We seek a high-energy self-starter who will elevate a very good historical library to a position of renowned excellence. Candidates should have superior writing and computer skills and the ability to work well with a wide range of people -- Society members and Trustees, visitors, and other staff members. Software in current use includes PastPerfect; Microsoft XP, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer. Experience in grant writing is a definite plus, and candidates who have written a successful application or, alternatively, a significant paper on a relevant library or historic subject are encouraged to submit a non-returnable copy with their resumé.

The position is salaried, commensurate with experience, with limited benefits. The work schedule for the Librarian / Archivist will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the hours of weekday operation of the Library. The Librarian will be responsible for staffing Saturday hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with volunteers. The Librarian is currently the only paid staff person whose duties relate entirely to the Library, but there are currently several dedicated and regular volunteers who provide assistance. The Librarian reports to the SCHS President along with three other staff members at the same location -- an office manager, a museum curator, and a building custodian -- and the site manager of the Mabee Farm Historic Site in Rotterdam Junction, about six miles from SCHS headquarters in the Stockade area of downtown Schenectady, NY. The city, along with the nearby cities of Albany and Troy and a surrounding cluster of suburban towns, form the core of the New York State Capital District, arguably the most vibrant metropolitan area in upstate New York.


SCHS has been in continuous operation since 1905, 102 years as of July. The Grems-Doolittle Library was a major expansion of our headquarters facility in 1992. Prospective candidates are encouraged to start at our home page and explore the network of links that stem therefrom, especially the one to our library. To learn more about us, follow the link of that name. From there,  sample at least our last three newsletters. There will be a quiz.

The ideal starting date for the Librarian / Archivist would be April 2 or as soon thereafter as possible. Resumés should include a chronological listing of all positions held since graduation, with no unexplained breaks, and should also include the name, address, phone, and email address of three professional references. A cover letter that expresses the principal reasons why the candidate is a good fit to the qualifications for the position would be useful.

E-mail resumés, attention of the president, to office@schist.org with attachments, or mail supplemental writing samples to SCHS, 32 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12305. Alternatively, our fax is (518) 688-2825.


                                                                                        
page last updated 1/23/2007 by edr