Library Fabrication Coordinator

Job Description

NORMAL WORK HOURS:

25 hours per week, scheduled Monday - Friday between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Director of the Library

About The Library

The Olin College Library serves roughly 400 undergraduate engineering students and an engaged faculty and staff. The Library is staffed by the Director of the Library, the Community Resources Librarian (CRL), and the newly-created Library Fabrication Coordinator (LFC). We support Olin's holistic learning model with academic and creative resources and services. We have a highly responsive, collaborative service model: students are both our patrons and, frequently, our valued partners in improving and enhancing our offerings. Our mostly-open-plan Library has both study spaces and creative zones, including a multi-station sewing area, a workroom for general artmaking and screen-printing, an audio recording studio for podcasts and interviews, and a robust collection of circulating A/V equipment. These creative spaces are managed by skilled student workers who also offer equipment training. As a small team, all Library staff support and consult with each other regularly on workloads and projects.

Position Summary

The Olin College Library seeks a service-oriented and proactive individual to join our team as Library Fabrication Coordinator. The LFC is responsible for three interconnected areas: student workforce development, fabrication equipment and spaces, and Library environment optimization.

This is a 25-hour/week position. The Director and Community Resources Librarian provide support when the LFC is not on-site or must focus on other work priorities.

The LFC's work is informed by Library use data, continuous professional development, engagement with peer institutions and campus partners, and their own commitment to core library and Olin College values.

The LFC manages equipment, improves spaces, and develops documentation and training systems that lower barriers to creative work. This builds an environment where students feel confident exploring new skills, taking creative risks, collaborating, and communicating. This work supports the Library's academic and holistic role as a partner in learning and discovery.

The LFC approaches all aspects of the role through systems thinking and empathy, fostering care for shared resources and collaborative problem-solving. This philosophy applies to interactions with Library users, student workers, and campus partners alike. Through this work, the LFC builds mutual investment between the Library and its community, fostering shared responsibility and care for community resources.

Responsibilities

LIBRARY SPACES & OPERATIONS

• Day-to-day maintenance: Maintain functionality and accessibility of Library spaces by coordinating repairs, supporting student workers in organizing supplies and workspaces, and addressing immediate needs
• Ongoing improvement: Evaluate Library spaces through observation, user feedback, and professional best practices, implementing evidence-based improvements to layout, signage, and user experience
• Formal research: Collaborate with the Director on IRB-approved studies as appropriate
• Outreach projects: Collaborate with other college offices (Facilities, Residence Life, Machine Shop) to synchronize communication and policies
• As needed: Support other Library initiatives and operations led by the CRL or Director

EQUIPMENT & FABRICATION RESOURCES

• Day-to-day operations: Maintain equipment functionality by coordinating repairs and troubleshooting with student workers, managing inventory, and ensuring accessibility
• Documentation and training systems: Create and refine help documentation, instructional materials, and student worker training programs for all equipment
• Strategic planning: Make acquisition recommendations and evaluate equipment needs based on usage patterns and user feedback

STUDENT WORKFORCE

• Recruitment and onboarding: Lead recruitment processes and create onboarding systems that enable student workers to deliver excellent public service
• Scheduling and coordination: Develop and maintain student worker schedules, shift calendars, and training signup processes each semester
• Day-to-day supervision: Serve as primary contact and supervisor for fabrication student workers, strongly supported by the Director and CRL
• Ongoing development: Provide regular feedback, support, and mentorship to student workers

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Event coordination: Process event requests, coordinate space reservations, and provide guidance to community event hosts
• Library programming: Collaborate with the Director on Library-hosted events and develop passive programming opportunities
• Communications: Create promotional materials to increase awareness of Library events, services, and policies

Required

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university; Master's degree in Library Science (MLS/MLIS) is preferred.
• 4+ years experience managing makerspaces or creative fabrication spaces that serve users with a wide range of experience
• 2+ years experience in patron-facing academic library services and operations
• 2+ years experience supervising students, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers
• Demonstrable experience using and maintaining creative and fabrication equipment, including at least two of the following: cameras, audio recording, printmaking, sewing, and eagerness to develop advanced skills in all
• Physical ability to lift up to 30 lbs in order to move and manage equipment
• Ability to maintain multiple concurrent workflows in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to troubleshoot complex equipment and facility issues, including working with external parties
• Commitment to the core values of the American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries
• Experience working in an interactive, student-facing role and on a small team
• Commitment to working with a diverse student body in a highly collaborative and innovative campus environment.

Preferred

• Experience managing circulating equipment collections and/or Library of Things programs, including circulation systems and software
• Background in space management or user experience design
• Knowledge of accessibility standards, Universal Design principles, design thinking, and systems thinking, and dedication to incorporating these into practice
• Experience with community engagement programming in academic libraries
• Experience with graphic design and visual communication for promotional materials and signage

Company Description

Olin College of Engineering seeks employees who are passionate about working collaboratively within and outside of the Olin community to support the College’s mission and vision for the future. At Olin, we are educating the next generation of engineering innovators and shifting the definition of engineering. Not only do our students ask, “Who are we designing this for, and what are their values?” They also ask questions about the impact of their work on society.

As Olin evolves under new leadership, we seek to become a more representative and aware community, a place where everyone is a learner and where everyone is an educator . Olin will become a place where experimentation—including making and learning from mistakes—will be embraced across the institution, not just in the classroom. Collaboration is key to Olin’s curriculum and culture, and we will work intentionally to reinforce the values and culture to which we aspire. We are a community that thrives on being together; we value trust. The College supports teams to collaboratively decide how they can best do their work, and display a commitment to the community, all while providing individuals with overall work-life flexibility.

Olin College is situated on 75 acres in Needham, Massachusetts. We are approximately ten miles from Boston, one mile from the MBTA Commuter Rail train station, and approximately four miles from the Woodland Station from the MBTA Green Line. We have plenty of free parking on campus. You can find more details on our Visiting Campus page.

• Take a Virtual Campus Tour: From the moment you step on campus at Olin, you feel a buzz of energy and activity—and once you experience it, you want to be a part of it.

Olin College is committed to supporting an innovative, integrated learning and working environment. As a small campus, the in-person experience and cross-team collaboration is what helps build a strong, dynamic community for our students, faculty and staff. Typically, most roles at Olin College are intended to be in-person and on-campus. Certain paid positions may be eligible for flexible working arrangements, at the College’s sole discretion. Any approved remote work arrangement for pay must be performed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where Olin is registered to do business. Individual flexible and remote work options can be discussed during the interview process.

Benefits

Olin College prides itself on offering comprehensive benefits that provide both choice and value. These benefits are an important part of total compensation.

Part-time employees scheduled to work between 20 and 29 hours per week may be eligible for the following benefits:

Core Benefits

• Dental
• Vision
• Paid Family Medical Leave
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with company match (must meet additional eligibility requirements)
• Liberal sick and vacation time and paid holidays
• Free parking

Additional Benefits

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Supplemental 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Pet Insurance

Please note that benefits are subject to change at any time.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

At Olin College we seek to become a more representative and aware community. If you’re excited about a role and have relevant experience, but your work history doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we'd nevertheless encourage you to apply.

Olin College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from candidates belonging to groups that have historically been underrepresented in higher education, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA people, and people with disabilities. Employees of the College who have a disability are welcome to request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at [email protected].