Entry Level Library Assistant Jobs in Columbia, MD

Position Details

Fill out your application carefully and completely, including attaching the correct documents as requested. You will NOT be able to withdraw and reapply if you make a mistake.

Positions may close unexpectedly if they reach a high number of applicants. It is in your best interest to apply promptly to any positions that interest you.

If this position title includes the label On-Campus FWS or Off-Campus FWS, it is for students with a Federal Work Study (FWS) award for the current school year ONLY. Applicants to these positions will be required to verify this by attaching their FWS Program Student Statement as a required document. Do not apply unless you meet this criterion.

Position Title - Student Library Assistant I Off-Campus FWS

Level of Support - Student Support I

Position Type - Off-Campus FWS

Number of Openings - 1

Work Hours - During Standard Business Hours (M-F 8am-5pm)

Wage Per Hour - 18.40

Division/School - Division/School

Department Name - DC History Center

Department Bio - Established in 1894 and located at the Carnegie Library in NW DC, the DC History Center is a community-supported nonprofit organization which deepens understanding of our city's past to connect, empower, and inspire. The Kiplinger Research Library is a vital part of this organization by connecting the public with the historical materials in our archive. For more information, visit dchistory.org/kiplinger-research-library.

Position Specific Summary - By contributing to the operations of the Kiplinger Research Library as a Digital Imaging Assistant, you will be providing our very small library team with additional support in expanding digital access to the DC History Center collections. In your position, you will develop technical knowledge of archival standards as well as digitization skills. You will excel at this work if you are conscientious and prefer to work alone in a quiet environment. Digital Imaging Assistants are responsible for continuing the ongoing effort to digitally preserve important historical materials and make them more accessible to the public. Duties involve:

• Adhering to established standards and best practices, digitize materials from the manuscript collections, photographic collections, rare book collections, and NHA institutional records.
• Demonstrate proficiency in operating specialized imaging hardware and software designed for cultural heritage digitization.
• Ensure the overall quality of digitization activities by creating high-resolution preservation images, adhering to file naming and storage protocols, editing images as necessary, and generating derivative images for access purposes.
• Provide weekly progress updates to the Librarian.

Consistent Scheduling Block Options Include:

• Monday 10 am – 4 pm
• Wednesday 10 am – 4 pm
• Friday 10 am – 4 pm
• Other scheduling as mutual agreed

Standard Position Description - The student will support the administrative and logistical tasks in a GW library. Tasks may include: retrieving and reshelving materials, staff the reference desk and assist on-site patrons, fulfilling patron requests for scans and photocopies of materials, stacks management, assisting staff with researching patron reference queries, and record keeping tasks to support collection management practices. Special projects or other duties may be assigned related to specific departmental needs.

Professional Outcomes - Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Technology and Data

Required Qualifications - This is an entry level position, little to no experience required, all training will be provided.

Preferred Qualifications - Excellent attention to detail. Self-motivated and responsible. Interest in the fields of library, archive or museum studies.

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date - 07/17/2026

Job Close Date - 08/31/2026

Campus Location - Off-Campus FWS Partner - DC Location

Work Type Designation - In-Person

Hiring Manager Name - Betsy Bates

Special Instructions Summary

EEO Statement - The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) employer committed to maintaining a nondiscriminatory, harassment–free, diverse work and education environment. The university does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law in any of its programs, activities, or employment practices. For more information on this policy and its purpose, please read the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

Background Check

The student employee will: Off-Campus FWS position or a position with an external community partner - May or may not require a background check or work clearances external to GW.

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. FWS Program Student Statement (Only Attach the Official Document)
3. Cover Letter

Optional Documents