Student Project Assistant (Book Arts Lab)

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Hiring Unit: Rare Books and Special Collections

Job Title:Student Project Assistant (Book Arts Lab) – Office Assistant A

Reports to:Jennifer Garland, Interim Director, Rare Books and Special Collections

Hour of work: 4-5 hours per week

Hourly Rate: $16.70

Classification: AMUSE A 

Duration: October 18, 2026 – December 23, 2026 with possibility of renewal

Job Summary:

Would you like to learn about historical letterpress printing? Are you ready to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and work with ink and type? This opportunity may be for you! 

The apprenticeship positions: We’re looking for two student printing apprentices to work with us for 4-5 hoursevery Friday in the fall semester, to help with the general operation and maintenance of the Book Arts Lab. Apprentices will be taught the basics of print shop safety, equipment, tools, techniques, and the printing process, from setting type to inking the presses. Our current focus is the wood type in our lab: student apprentices will assist in cleaning, organizing, identifying, and printing specimen sheets of wood type, as well as assisting in the printing of one of our wood type projects.

Please submit a brief statement of interest to tell us why you are interested in this position, along with any previous printing, design, or book arts experience, and a current resume. Please also confirm you Friday availability.

Training and orientation will be provided. All duties to be completed on-site, in Rare Books and Special Collections, McLennan Library Building. 

About theBook Arts Lab, McGill University Libraries: 

The Book Arts Lab was established in 2020, to preserve and teach with remarkable historical printing presses held at the McGill Libraries, and to introduce students to the materials, processes, design, and labour involved in letterpress printing. 

Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:

•              An enthusiasm for books, printing, crafts, working with your hands

•              Attention to detail 

•              Aptitude for intricate, careful work with your hands

•              Experience with printing or graphic arts in any form is an asset, but not required

•              Comfortable lifting somewhat heavy objects; working in a sometimes dusty environment; working with letterpress ink and related cleaning supplies

•              Ability to stand for 3-4 hours at a time

•              McGill University is an English-language university where day-to-day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level # (3) on a scale of 0-4 Other languages an asset.For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please clickhere.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

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This position is covered by the AMUSE collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence,accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca.