The Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library (LMEC) seeks to hire for the position of gallery attendant. Gallery attendants play a key role in managing the Center’s free, public-access gallery at the Central Library in Copley Square, providing a welcoming and interactive face for patrons of all backgrounds in the Map Center’s spaces.

This is a fixed-term position beginning September 6, 2021 and ending on January 21, 2022. The position is hourly, for 14–18 hours per week, paid at $17.50/hour.

Gallery attendants staff the front desk of the Map Center gallery, greeting and orienting patrons, answering questions, and occasionally facilitating interpretive programs in the gallery. For the duration of this position, the gallery will be hosting the exhibition Bending Lines: Maps & Data From Distortion to Deception, which explores the relationship between maps, truth, and belief. Attendants will report directly to the LMEC’s Public Engagement & Interpretation Coordinator.

Attendants are also responsible for ensuring the safety of collections and patrons by communication with BPL staff when necessary to resolve issues. They will support LMEC library staff by fielding and directing reference questions. They will also provide patron assistance with the numerous digital access points for primary and secondary source materials available at the LMEC and BPL.

Attendants should expect to work 2–3 shifts of 4–6 hours in duration each week at the Central Library in Copley Square, at 700 Boylston St. in Boston. Currently planned open hours for the Fall/Winter 2021 season are 11 am – 5 pm MTRFS, and 1 pm – 7 pm W.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first face of the Map Center, greeting guests, and engaging with them as appropriate on topics related to maps, exhibitions, and the library.
• Maintain visual appearance of gallery and Learning Center by refilling brochure racks, reshelving atlases, monitoring visitors' behavior, and checking on custodial tasks as necessary.
• Provide light reference support to visitors, directing questions to library staff as necessary.
• Engage with digital collections in helping patrons explore their own interests and questions.
• Lead gallery tours and occasional talks or workshops
• Perform general administrative and library tasks
• Adhere to the policies of the Leventhal Map & Education Center and the Boston Public Library.

Required Qualifications

• Interest in any of the following disciplines: history, geography, urban planning, architecture, archaeology, political science, environmental science, computer science, education, library science, museum studies, or a related field.
• Ability to complete detailed work with a high degree of consistency and accuracy
• Able to respectfully and effectively work with diverse visitors and staff
• Interest in and ability to learn unfamiliar tools, software, and hardware

Work Location

Work is performed in-person at the Central Library in Copley Square. The Library is well-served by public transit. No free facilities for employee parking are available. The Library and Map Center gallery are fully ADA accessible.

The Boston Public Library follows guidance from the City of Boston regarding COVID-19 prevention.

Compensation

Hourly, $17.50/hour.

This position is not eligible for health benefits.

About the Map Center

The Leventhal Map & Education Center is an independent, self-governing nonprofit organization in a long-term strategic relationship with the Boston Public Library. LMEC stewards a quarter million geographic objects in the Library’s collections, and works to make them freely available to the public for research, interpretation, and engagement. LMEC’s collections range from fifteen century atlases to modern-day geospatial data sets. LMEC creates original exhibitions hosted in its gallery space at the Central Library in Copley Square and promotes K-12 and public education on topics that explore the relationship between people and places.

As a mission-driven organization, LMEC endorses the following values:

• Commit to integrity, excellence, respect in all our relationships, and professional library ethics (including the ALA’s Code of Ethics and the ACRL Code of Ethics for Special Collections Librarians)
• Listen to and include community voices, especially those who have been less represented
• Increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization and our work with others
• Work to advance a more just and equitable society
• Keep our spaces and community services open, welcoming, and “free to all”

LMEC places great value on an organizational culture in which staff members have the flexibility and openness to work with a diverse group of audiences, constituencies, and colleagues. Our work is committed to public service and to innovation that fosters positive change in the world.

To Apply

Please submit the following via this application form

• A cover letter of no more than two pages (PDF, DOCX, or MD format)
• A CV or résumé (PDF, DOCX, or MD format)
• A list of two references with email and telephone contact information

For full consideration, please submit your application by August 6, 2021.

For questions or more information about this search, please contact info@leventhalmap.org.

Submit application online

For more information

Please contact info@leventhalmap.org with questions about this vacancy.