Job Description
Librarian
This position will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, with an emphasis on special projects, outreach, social media, volunteer management, and collection development.
The Librarian must have a wide range of skills and abilities. The AAC Library has a small staff that must be able to wear many hats. This position will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, with an emphasis on special projects, outreach, social media, volunteer management, and collection development. This position will also act as liaison to the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum, and will work closely with the American Mountaineering Center staff.
The AAC Library is one of the largest alpine-focused repositories in the world. It contains over 60,000 books, films, maps, and ephemera. Its collections include archives and museum artifacts, some of which are displayed in the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum. It also maintains the large Colorado Mountain Club Archives.
We have a challenging backlog built up over the course of decades. In the next year or two, our main focus will be to eliminate this backlog by processing the “hidden collections” and making the Library’s collections more accessible to the public. The person hired for this role will be an integral part of the Library Team in tackling the backlog and moving the AAC Library into the 21st century.
Hours
Monday-Friday, 9-5pm or Tuesday-Saturday, 9-5pm (flexible); must commit to at least 1 Saturday a month
This is not a remote position.
Required Qualifications
- Must have a graduate degree in Library Science/Information Studies from an ALA-accredited institution (may consider work experience as substitution)
- Strong interest in climbing (rock/ice climbing, bouldering, mountaineering, or dedicated armchair mountaineer)
- 3-5 years experience in libraries, archives, or museums
- Have a positive attitude, excellent interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills
- Attention to detail
“Would be Nice” Qualifications
- Experience with reference, collection development, cataloging, archival processing, digital asset management systems, outreach, volunteer management, social media
- Familiarity with Koha (our open-source ILS)
- Familiarity with climbing terminology, history, and literature
Physical and Environmental Conditions
Work is primarily conducted in an office or storage setting. Dusty conditions may exist. Position might sit at a computer or stand for extended periods of time. Position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Benefits & Additional Compensation Info
Benefits
The AAC currently offers a comprehensive benefits package including Club-paid medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance and an HRA medical reimbursement plan, a wellness program, a matching 403(b) retirement plan, flexible schedule, pro deals, an AAC membership, generous paid time off, and maternity/paternity leave. Benefits are reviewed annually and change as needed. Team members are notified when they occur.
Additional Info & Requirements
How to Apply
All who love the AAC mission are encouraged to apply, including people of color and Black, Indigenous, transgender and non-binary people.
Please email your resume and cover letter to ksauter@americanalpineclub.org. Use “Librarian- [Your Last Name]” as the subject line – no phone calls please. Only potential interviewees will be contacted. Applications without cover letters will not be considered. Applications that demonstrate a lack of attention to detail or ability to fully read the job listing and instructions will not be considered either.
The AAC is an equal opportunity employer. Your gender, religion, sex life, skin color, first language, and size and ability of your body do not factor into employment decisions here. Neither do your friends in high places. If you love our mission and are good at what you do, come as you are.
The Community
About the American Alpine Club Library
The AAC Library is one of the largest alpine-focused repositories in the world. It contains over 60,000 books, films, maps, and ephemera. In addition to its book collections, it has a large archives and museum artifacts, some of which are displayed in the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum. It also maintains the large Colorado Mountain Club Archives.
About the American Alpine Club
Founded in 1902, the American Alpine Club (AAC) envisions a united community of competent climbers and healthy climbing landscapes. For more than a century, the AAC has built relationships with conservation-minded organizations and government agencies, funded and documented some of the world’s most significant climbs—including historic expeditions to K2 (1938, ‘39 and ‘53), the first ascent of Hidden Peak (‘58), the first American summit of Mount Everest (‘63), and Antarctica’s Mount Vinson (‘66)—and connected climbers from a variety of backgrounds.
WEBSITE: www.americanalpineclub.org/library
HR Info
Katie Sauter, Library Director