Library Assistant Job at J & J Staffing Resources in Princeton

Staffing Specialist | Generative AI Advocate in Recruitment | Soft Skills Coach

Position Title: Temporary Library Collections Specialist

Work hours: 36.25 hrs/week

Duration of Assignment: This is a 30-week temporary position.

• End Date: May 31, 2026

Compensation: $25.00/hour

Position Description:

Marquand Library of Art and Archaeology is one of the oldest and most extensive art libraries in America. The collection of over 500,000 volumes covers world art and architecture from antiquity to the present and includes distinguished rare book holdings. Marquand serves the Princeton University community and scholars from around the world. Marquand seeks to hire a temporary Library Collections Specialist. The ideal candidate will be an energetic, production- and service-oriented person for this full-time on-site position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Staff service points, enforcing library policies graciously and providing basic reference to patrons
• Provide access to Marquand Library and shared collections that are In Library Use Only
• Assist with shelving, shelf maintenance, records maintenance, and data gathering.
• Assist with all staff workflows as needed
• Report facilities/maintenance issues in the absence of Librarians and Supervisor
• Oversight of student desk, shelving, and processing assistants; reports issues to Supervisor
• Monitor and resolve staffing issues at service points in the absence of Supervisor
• Assist with all aspects of shelving and stack maintenance, as well as use of assigned spaces
• Assist with off-site requests and returns processing
• Assist with Course Reserves

Required Skills:

• Minimum one year of experience in an academic, research, or special library, or a public library with a research and/or special collections component or comparable experience
• Ability to make decisions and work independently, as well as an affinity for teamwork, and the ability to be flexible and resourceful in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational and excellent service-oriented interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize workflows and respond to rapidly changing circumstances on a daily basis
• Ability to deal with pressure, deadlines and multitasking
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Intermediate computer skills including desktop productivity software and scanning, and basic knowledge of computer hardware, printers and imaging equipment
• Knowledge of bibliographic conventions and experience searching online catalogs or databases
• Self-starter with the ability to prioritize, be highly productive, and do sustained and accurate detail work at a computer
• Public service experience and service orientation
• Must be able to lift and shelve books (using stepladders) and handle large book trucks holding approximately 300 books (other physical tasks may involve careful handling of heavy and dusty books)

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to work with bibliographic citations in several European languages
• Experience in an arts or humanities library collections or subject background
• Facility with Alma or another integrated library system
• Experience with antiquarian library or archival collections
• Intermediate reading knowledge of one or more Romance, Germanic, or other non‑English language is a plus