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CFF-May-2019-4785-Final-e1559922786223

Jobs & Opportunities

Baristas & Bartenders

Part-Time, In-Person

As part of The Center, we run a Café & Bar nestled between our Bookstore and our event space. During the day the Café serves as a lively community space where writers work, kids read books, and friends catch up. In the evening we serve drinks and snacks to patrons attending our events and classes, as well as to our neighbors at large.

Job Description: The Center for Fiction is looking to hire a dynamic human to barista and bartend at the The Center’s bustling Bookstore, Café & Bar, and event space. The Café features a selection of locally baked pastries, small bites, as well as a menu of craft cocktails and natural wine. This is a fun work environment and our main requirements include an interest in hospitality as well as literature, a passion for customer service, and a willingness to develop and learn new skills. Barista experience and Food Handler’s License are strongly preferred. Come make coffee and cocktails, all the while surrounded by books!

Job Requirements:

  • Passion for coffee
  • Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented
  • Strong customer service orientation
  • A desire to learn and grow with the cafe
  • Interest in craft and product knowledge
  • Strong passion for literature
  • Able to lift 50lbs
  • Comfortable standing for periods at a time

Perks: This position will have access to The Center’s lending library, admission to onsite events, and staff discounts on books, classes, and more. 401k participation is available upon eligibility.

Location: In-Person, New York City-based position, $15+ (based on experience) an hour, plus tips

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “2023 Barista/Bartender” in the subject line. Please, no calls.

Rolling Deadline: Applications will be reviewed as received.

The Center for Fiction is committed to building a diverse and culturally vibrant team. As an Equal Opportunity Employer we respect and value diversity and inclusion, and engage employees without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, military status, domestic violence status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Library Intern

Part-Time, In-Person

The Center for Fiction seeks currently enrolled library school students for an onsite internship for Spring 2024 in Downtown Brooklyn.

Overview: The Center for Fiction, founded in 1820 as the Mercantile Library, is the only organization in the United States devoted solely to the vital art of fiction. The mission of The Center is to encourage people to read and value fiction and to support and celebrate its creation and enjoyment. In February 2019, we opened the doors to our new building in Downtown Brooklyn, creating a home for NYC’s literary community. Our library collection has been in existence since our founding and continues to be a thriving part of our nonprofit. We are a membership library with a collection of literary fiction, mystery and suspense novels, and nonfiction titles about fiction. Our library interns gain experience in many facets of library work and a glimpse into a nonprofit organization with a special collection. This internship is for current MLS students and will appeal to those interested in a collections focused internship.

Description Details:  Reports directly to the Head Librarian and the Assistant Librarian and assists in the maintenance of the library’s collection. Length of internship can be for one or two semesters. Tasks will include:

  • Catalog materials (both original and copy)
  • Perform circulation tasks including check out, check in, run library and patron reports, process holds
  • Assist in weeding of onsite collection, including evaluation of materials and research of authors
  • Communicate with Center for Fiction members regarding library matters
  • Perform reference and reader’s advisory
  • Represent the Library at Book Buzz events throughout the years

Skills: Attention to detail, knowledge of and/or curiosity about special library collections, excellent verbal and written communication, able to juggle priorities, able to work independently on assigned tasks and work collaboratively with others, proficiency in Google apps, basic Zoom experience.

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship but can be used for credit in an MLS degree program. Interns receive complimentary membership to the Center and discounts on writing workshops, reading groups and events.

Interested applicants should attach a resume and include a brief letter of introduction in the body of the email to [email protected].

Rolling Deadline: Applications will be reviewed as received.

The Center for Fiction is committed to building a diverse and culturally vibrant team. As an Equal Opportunity Employer we respect and value diversity and inclusion, and engage employees without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, military status, domestic violence status, sexual orientation, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.