
location_on8, Acorn Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
Founded in 1807, the Boston Athenæum is a distinguished membership library and cultural institution located on Beacon Hill. As a National Historic Landmark, it is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, housing over 600,000 volumes with strengths in history, biography, literature, and the fine and decorative arts.
The Athenæum serves as a haven and inspiration to countless writers and researchers. Its reading rooms, including the barrel-vaulted fifth floor, foster a sense of wonder and delight in sharing the joy of physical books, maps, prints, and other works of art. The institution is committed to nurturing community and civil discourse, welcoming all members and visitors to connect and converse.
The Reader Services Department is seeking three new interns to play an important role in supporting the daily functions of Reference and Circulation. Reporting to the Head of Reader Services or a Senior Reference Librarian, you will act as a primary point of welcome at the front desk for both members and the public.
This position is ideal for organized, hard-working individuals who are proactive about public service. You will be the face of the Athenæum, providing coverage at the circulation and reference desks, offering library orientation tours, and assisting with interlibrary loan requests. The role requires a commitment to fostering a workplace culture of teamwork and inclusion while engaging with the diverse community that visits this historic institution.
Candidates must submit to and pass a background check, which includes criminal history, personal references, employment verifications, and a Registry of Motor Vehicles check (if applicable). The positions are scheduled to start by mid-August, though they may begin sooner.
The Boston Athenæum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also dedicated to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Generalist, Nora Conley, at 617-720-7630 or conley@bostonathenaeum.org.
Work model: On-site
8, Acorn Street, Beacon Hill, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
Boston, Massachusetts
Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office. Completion of a reference course.
The Boston Athenaeum, headquartered in Boston, MA, operates as an independent library, museum, and cultural center within a historic landmark building. As one of the nation's oldest and most distinguished libraries, the institution maintains a circulating collection exceeding 500,000 volumes, spanning works from the 1800s to contemporary bestsellers. The facility also houses extensive special collections, including 100,000 rare books, maps, manuscripts, and 100,000 art pieces ranging from paintings and sculpture to prints and photographs.
Members, visitors, and the broader community access a year-round schedule of cultural programming designed to foster connection and engagement. Activities include author talks, book clubs, exhibitions, concerts, and social gatherings. The organization is dedicated to a shared curiosity regarding literature, culture, art, ideas, and the world, providing a space for research and public interaction without relying on public funding.
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