About Middle East Institute

Position Title: Library Assistant

Company: Middle East Institute 

Status: Part-time, 16 hours per week 

Location: On-Site | Washington, DC

Salary Range: $25,000-$27,000

The Middle East Institute (MEI) seeks a part-time library assistant (16 hours a week) to manage its library collection of 20,000 books and provide library services to patrons and MEI staff.  Duties include customer service, technical and program support and administration of library activities. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Assist patrons with checking out and returning library materials.
• Provide information and assistance to patrons regarding library services, resources, and policies.
• Shelving and organizing books and materials, ensuring they are in proper order.
• Conduct routine inspections of materials for damage or wear and report issues.
• Process new library materials, including labeling and covering books.
• Perform administrative tasks such as data entry and record maintenance.
• Enforce library policies to maintain a safe and quiet environment.
• Assist with interlibrary loans and requests.
• Provide basic reference assistance and refer patrons to librarians for more complex inquiries.
• Stay updated on library trends and best practices through professional development opportunities.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Master's degree in Library Science (MLS or MLIS) from an ALA-accredited program.
• Knowledge of Middle East Studies, including proficiency in at least one Middle Eastern language, preferably Arabic, Farsi, or Turkish.
• Strong customer service skills and a passion for helping library users.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in library cataloging, classification, and circulation systems.
• Knowledge of emerging library technologies and trends.
• Experience in collection development and management is a plus.