What are the responsibilities and job description for the Part-time Public Services & Outreach Librarian - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts position at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
Location: North Adams, MA Category: Support Staff Job Type: Part-time Posted On: Mon Jul 13 2026 Job Description:
MCLA's Freel Library seeks a part-time evening/weekend Librarian or Library Associate to support the academic and community life of the campus by designing and delivering engaging evening and weekend events and programs; contributing to frontline library services including circulation and building oversight; and providing reference and research support.
Core Duties
Collaborate with Library staff and other campus units to design and deliver evening and weekend programming that supports student belonging and enhances the life of the campus.
Along with Access Services staff, provide frontline services, maintain a presence at the library's service desk, monitor building conditions, help open/close the library.
Provide professional research and support: work directly with students, faculty, staff, and visitors; help create and maintain research guides and other library-created resources.
Supervision Received: Reports to the Dean of Library Services
Supervision Exercised: No formal Supervisory duties. May assign work to student employees in consultation with their Supervisor.
Detailed Description of Duties
Events and Programming (50%)
Collaborate with library staff and other campus units to plan, coordinate, and deliver evening and weekend events and programming. Examples may include but are not limited to: workshops, discussion series, maker events, van trips, and movie nights.
Help represent library at resource fairs, open houses, and other campus events as schedule permits.
Frontline Services (25%)
Collaborate with Access Services staff to manage evening library operations.
Contribute to circulation desk coverage. Greet patrons; answer basic informational and directional questions; check out books, media, course reserves, laptops, equipment, and other items to eligible borrowers.
Provide basic support for technological equipment such as microfilm machines, printers, copiers, and scanners. Assist patrons with accessing MCLA's network. Refer in-depth questions to MCLA's IT Help Desk.
Participate in hourly building walkthroughs to perform headcounts and monitor building conditions.
Assist with opening and closing the building.
Reference Services (25%)
Provide drop-in and appointment-based research, informational, and technology assistance to MCLA students, faculty, staff, and visitors using a variety of modalities (in person, phone, chat, email, Teams, SMS)
Track and manage reference transactions and appointment availability using Springshare's LibAnswers and LibCal.
Help create and maintain LibGuides and other learning materials to support teaching, learning, research, and programming.
Participate in ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
Other duties as assigned
Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications
Coursework in reference services and/or work experience providing reference services in a library (preferably academic). Applicants are encouraged to address in their cover letters how their education and/or experience have prepared them to provide research assistance in an academic library setting.
At least 2 years of experience working directly with the public in a library or similar setting
Commitment to creating inclusive library services and programming that serve, reflect, and celebrate MCLA's diverse community; ability to design programs and services through an equity lens
Demonstrated knowledge of research sources, tools, and techniques used in an undergraduate liberal arts setting, including core library databases, reference sources, search tools, and free Web resources
Outstanding reliability and punctuality; flexibility to work occasional hours outside of regular schedule
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with patrons, colleagues, and supervisors in person, on the phone, virtually, and asynchronously
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage work effectively, to accomplish work within scheduled hours, and to communicate proactively with supervisors
Familiarity with current technologies, including basic office and Web applications, Windows hardware and software; and printers/scanners; ability to learn and incorporate new technologies
Ability to create digital content (such as documents, images, web pages, and multimedia) that meets current accessibility standards
Preferred Qualification
Master's degree in library science or equivalent
Experience using library hardware, software, and applications (e.g. LibApps, integrated library systems, book scanners, microfilm machines)
Experience providing basic technical support and troubleshooting technology issues
Familiarity with ACRL guidelines, standards, and frameworks for information literacy
Experience providing reference services in a library setting
Familiarity with Library of Congress classification system
Experience planning and delivering events/programming
Valid driver's license and ability to drive passenger vans (up to 15 seats) and to obtain any necessary certifications to do so
Physical Requirements (with accommodations):
Extensive computer work required; ability to input and perceive information and to spend moderate stretches of time at a computer workstation
Ability to move throughout the library building, including between floors (elevator available) to perform hourly headcounts and monitor building conditions
Ability to bend and reach (to access books in library stacks and to lock/unlock library doors) and to lift up to 25 pounds
Additional Information:
This is a part-time, 9-month, non-benefitted position working up to 22.5 hours per week. Training for this position starts in mid-August. The regular schedule begins on 9/2/2026. The schedule for this position is Sun-Thurs 5pm-9pm, additional hours scheduled as needed, including some Saturdays.
Salary for this position is $20.00-$25.00/hour.
Calendar: 9 months/roughly 30 weeks per year, primarily fall and spring semesters (mid-August through mid-December; mid-January through mid-May.
Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Lucas Morrill
Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Telephone: (413) 662-5103
Titleix@mcla.edu
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
OCR.Boston@ed.gov
MCLA's Freel Library seeks a part-time evening/weekend Librarian or Library Associate to support the academic and community life of the campus by designing and delivering engaging evening and weekend events and programs; contributing to frontline library services including circulation and building oversight; and providing reference and research support.
Core Duties
Collaborate with Library staff and other campus units to design and deliver evening and weekend programming that supports student belonging and enhances the life of the campus.
Along with Access Services staff, provide frontline services, maintain a presence at the library's service desk, monitor building conditions, help open/close the library.
Provide professional research and support: work directly with students, faculty, staff, and visitors; help create and maintain research guides and other library-created resources.
Supervision Received: Reports to the Dean of Library Services
Supervision Exercised: No formal Supervisory duties. May assign work to student employees in consultation with their Supervisor.
Detailed Description of Duties
Events and Programming (50%)
Collaborate with library staff and other campus units to plan, coordinate, and deliver evening and weekend events and programming. Examples may include but are not limited to: workshops, discussion series, maker events, van trips, and movie nights.
Help represent library at resource fairs, open houses, and other campus events as schedule permits.
Frontline Services (25%)
Collaborate with Access Services staff to manage evening library operations.
Contribute to circulation desk coverage. Greet patrons; answer basic informational and directional questions; check out books, media, course reserves, laptops, equipment, and other items to eligible borrowers.
Provide basic support for technological equipment such as microfilm machines, printers, copiers, and scanners. Assist patrons with accessing MCLA's network. Refer in-depth questions to MCLA's IT Help Desk.
Participate in hourly building walkthroughs to perform headcounts and monitor building conditions.
Assist with opening and closing the building.
Reference Services (25%)
Provide drop-in and appointment-based research, informational, and technology assistance to MCLA students, faculty, staff, and visitors using a variety of modalities (in person, phone, chat, email, Teams, SMS)
Track and manage reference transactions and appointment availability using Springshare's LibAnswers and LibCal.
Help create and maintain LibGuides and other learning materials to support teaching, learning, research, and programming.
Participate in ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
Other duties as assigned
Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications
Coursework in reference services and/or work experience providing reference services in a library (preferably academic). Applicants are encouraged to address in their cover letters how their education and/or experience have prepared them to provide research assistance in an academic library setting.
At least 2 years of experience working directly with the public in a library or similar setting
Commitment to creating inclusive library services and programming that serve, reflect, and celebrate MCLA's diverse community; ability to design programs and services through an equity lens
Demonstrated knowledge of research sources, tools, and techniques used in an undergraduate liberal arts setting, including core library databases, reference sources, search tools, and free Web resources
Outstanding reliability and punctuality; flexibility to work occasional hours outside of regular schedule
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with patrons, colleagues, and supervisors in person, on the phone, virtually, and asynchronously
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage work effectively, to accomplish work within scheduled hours, and to communicate proactively with supervisors
Familiarity with current technologies, including basic office and Web applications, Windows hardware and software; and printers/scanners; ability to learn and incorporate new technologies
Ability to create digital content (such as documents, images, web pages, and multimedia) that meets current accessibility standards
Preferred Qualification
Master's degree in library science or equivalent
Experience using library hardware, software, and applications (e.g. LibApps, integrated library systems, book scanners, microfilm machines)
Experience providing basic technical support and troubleshooting technology issues
Familiarity with ACRL guidelines, standards, and frameworks for information literacy
Experience providing reference services in a library setting
Familiarity with Library of Congress classification system
Experience planning and delivering events/programming
Valid driver's license and ability to drive passenger vans (up to 15 seats) and to obtain any necessary certifications to do so
Physical Requirements (with accommodations):
Extensive computer work required; ability to input and perceive information and to spend moderate stretches of time at a computer workstation
Ability to move throughout the library building, including between floors (elevator available) to perform hourly headcounts and monitor building conditions
Ability to bend and reach (to access books in library stacks and to lock/unlock library doors) and to lift up to 25 pounds
Additional Information:
This is a part-time, 9-month, non-benefitted position working up to 22.5 hours per week. Training for this position starts in mid-August. The regular schedule begins on 9/2/2026. The schedule for this position is Sun-Thurs 5pm-9pm, additional hours scheduled as needed, including some Saturdays.
Salary for this position is $20.00-$25.00/hour.
Calendar: 9 months/roughly 30 weeks per year, primarily fall and spring semesters (mid-August through mid-December; mid-January through mid-May.
Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Lucas Morrill
Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Telephone: (413) 662-5103
Titleix@mcla.edu
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Salary : $20 - $25