John A. Lowe III '73 Special Collections Postbaccalaureate Fellow

The John A. Lowe III '73 Special Collections Fellowship at Williams College is designed to bring diverse perspectives to the library profession by introducing recent Williams graduates to a career in Special Collections librarianship.

Fellows are introduced to a wide variety of professional activities in archives and rare book libraries, to professional development opportunities, and (optionally) to developing a portfolio for application to a graduate program in Library Science or an allied profession.

Eligibility:

Only Williams College graduating seniors (Spring 2026) and recent Williams College graduates (within the previous five years) are eligible to hold this position.

Responsibilities:

• Engages in outreach to student and alumni organizations.
• Assists in preparing exhibitions using rare and special collections.
• Assists Special Collections staff by researching complex reference queries.
• Assists the Community Engagement Archivist in administering the oral history program by researching and conducting interviews.
• Arranges, describes, and catalogs Special Collections materials to provide intellectual access and physical control.
• Assists in the maintenance of order of collections by accurately and efficiently shelving and retrieving material from the stacks.
• With guidance from professional librarians and archivists, explores their interest in a career as a librarian or archivist.
• Participate in committees, task forces, or other groups, to develop professionally and contribute to the management of Williams Libraries.

Pay is $22.00 per hour for a full-time (37.5 hours per week), fully benefited year-round position. The initial appointment is for one year, renewable up to three years. The Library will provide professional support including career mentorship and an annual allowance of up to $2,000 for professional development expenses. Benefits include eligibility for tuition reimbursement of graduate coursework beginning after 6 months of employment.

A resume and cover letter are required for your application to be considered; please submit a cover letter in a separate document in your application. In the cover letter, applicants should address:

• Their interest in a career in Special Collections or Rare Book Librarianship or Archives

• How they will promote the fellowship’s goal of preserving multiple voices and diverse perspectives in the archives and aligning Special Collections programming with the Williams curriculum.

Application review will begin on February 3, 2026.

Please visit to apply.

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable. Decisions regarding appointments, promotions, and conditions of employment comply with applicable federal or state law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ancestry, or military service.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Beyond meeting fully its legal obligations for non-discrimination, Williams College is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community where members from all backgrounds can live, learn and thrive. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process please feel free to contact us via phone at (413) 597-2681 or email at

[email protected]