Posted Jul 11, 2026

Need Archives, Special Collections, & Reference Librarian in Saint Bonaventure, NY

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Job title: Archives, Special Collections, & Reference Librarian
Company: St. Bonaventure University (NY)
Job description: Description

Provides reference and instruction services to the university community. Works collaboratively with the senior special collections librarian and the archivist to provide necessary services to patrons and collection maintenance. The university's special collections include rare books and incunabula, Franciscan Institute research materials, archival collections such as the Thomas Merton Archives and the Robert Lax Archives, and other specialized collections. By definition in the Faculty Status and Welfare Handbook, librarians are faculty members at the university.

Full-time employees at SBU enjoy unparalleled :

Abundance of Time off
Tuition Remission
Full Benefit package
Other Perks
Examples of Duties

In conjunction with the Senior Special Collections Librarian and the Archivist, assists with building and managing archival and special collections record groups and unit-related digital collections, historical manuscript collections, as well as rare book holdings.
45%
In conjunction with the Senior Special Collections Librarian and the Archivist, responsible for digitization, website development/enhancements, and cataloging through OCLC, for archival and special collections areas. 10%
In conjunction with the Senior Special Collections Librarian and the Archivist, assists with the application and promulgation of standards and best practices in providing access to archival and manuscript collections through finding aids, catalog records, and other descriptive means 5%
In conjunction with the Senior Special Collections Librarian and the Archivist, assists with hands-on support for the arrangement and description of archival and special collections 5%
In conjunction with the Senior Special Collections Librarian and the Archivist, assists with reference, consultation, and instruction services related to the collections. 3%
In conjunction with the Senior Special Collections Librarian and the Archivist, assists with the creation and coordination of exhibitions, public programs, and publications that promote the University and the use of the archival and special collections 2%
Reference/Instruction: provides professional reference service to the university, offering a wide range of technical and intellectual assistance and instruction in the use of reference materials. 25%
Reference/Instruction: Serve as liaison between the Library and teaching faculty on matters of curriculum support through collection development and classroom instruction. Encourage and assist faculty to include library assignments within their course objectives. Develops and provides instructional services, including curricular-focused instruction in conjunction with faculty, especially as related to the special collections/archives. 1%
Reference/Instruction: Selects new materials for addition to the library collection 1%
Reference/Instruction: Works with other reference librarians to evaluate library collections, both print and electronic 1%
Reference/Instruction: Supervises student workers as needed. 1%
Reference/Instruction: Assists, if needed, at the Circulation Desk 1%

Supplemental Functions:
Other duties as assigned or as identified by the employee

Autonomy
Results are generally defined; sets own goals and independently determines how to accomplish tasks; precedents may exist to follow; supervisor provides broad guidance and overall direction.

Fiscal Authority
Requests approval for financial actions beyond a limited scope per policy.

Supervisory Responsibility
May provide oversight for one or more student workers, including graduate assistants.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Education: (indicate required or preferred) Master's degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited program. General knowledge of Latin and at least one European language is desirable. Should the candidate lack knowledge of Latin, must be willing to take coursework in Latin within the first year of employment to gain satisfactory knowledge. Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.

Years of Experience - (required or preferred number of years and in which specific areas)
Three years' of library experience required, which includes a broad base of technical knowledge and skills related to college library reference and instruction. The candidate must have experience in special collections, rare books, and/or archives, with an ability to digitize and work with such materials.

Certification and/or Licensure
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working Conditions / Physical requirements
The working environment for this position is a typical office setting, with an occasional need to be in a classroom or other setting.

Physical strength/endurance to enable him/her to perform/participate in the following activities:
Modifications may be made to accommodate ADA.
Expected salary: $20 - 21.92 per hour
Location: Saint Bonaventure, NY Apply Now