About the Opportunity

The Reference Assistant provides reference service to researchers to enable discovery, access, and use the West Virginia and Regional History Center (WVRHC) collections and provides research services to patrons through in-depth historical and genealogical research within WVHRC collections and delivery of findings. This position will staff public services desks and provide reference and research service to remote and on-site patrons. The incumbent reports to the WVRHC Reference Supervisor.

What You'll Do

Reference and research services provision:

• Staff public services desks and provide research assistance to onsite and remote patrons.
• Conduct reference interviews and uses finding aids, inventories, WVRHC collections databases and card catalogs, and the library catalog to help patrons identify relevant archival collections and other materials at the WVRHC.
• Monitor reference queue and claims questions.
• Provide research service to patrons through in-depth historical and genealogical research.
• Coordinate reproduction and licensing of images as needed.
• Communicate results to patrons in-person, over the phone, via email, and through the online reference platform. Records reference transaction statistics. Assist patrons using microfilm readers, photocopiers, and printers.
• Monitor the use of archival materials in the manuscript reading room.
• Register new patrons, receive payment for services, and direct calls at the registration desk as needed.
• Enforce reading room rules and regulations while maintaining a welcoming setting.

Support for exhibition, instruction, and programming:

• Provide research support to meet exhibition, instruction, and programming needs of the WVRHC.
• Contribute to social media accounts.
• May assist with tours and instruction sessions as needed.

Administrative and organizational support:

• Participate in department and library wide meetings and training sessions.
• Serve on appropriate interdepartmental committees as a WVRHC representative.
• Identify and participate in training opportunities specific to the position.
• Other duties as assigned.