Temporary Part-Time Indexer

MLA International Bibliography Temporary Part-Time Indexer for Folklore

The Modern Language Association (MLA) seeks a temporary part-time indexer (projected through August 2026) to assist with coverage of scholarly publications in folklore and ethnomusicology for the MLA International Bibliography, the leading database for research in world languages and literatures, linguistics, film, folklore, and writing studies.

Reporting principally to the editor in chief of the MLA International Bibliography, the indexer will work closely with the senior index editor responsible for the folklore section and receive training in the MLA’s indexing process and in other functions involved in creating and maintaining information used in the bibliography, the MLA Thesaurus, and the MLA Directory of Periodicals. In addition to indexing scholarly publications in all areas of folklore and ethnomusicology, the indexer will assist in maintaining records on periodical coverage, advise the editor of the Directory of Periodicals on publishers and publications in folklore and related fields, and perform related work as needed. 

Candidates must have completed or made significant progress toward an advanced degree in folklore or ethnomusicology or in library and information science, with a strong background in those fields. They should possess strong organizational and research skills and be comfortable working with Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and Google Sheets, as well as learning new technologies. Particular attention will be paid to candidates who have reading knowledge of at least one language other than English and who have a background in other scholarly fields indexed in the bibliography. 

The indexer will work remotely for 20 hours per week (up to 1,000 hours per year) and will receive a stipend every other week based on an hourly rate of $29.00. While this is a remote position, the indexer must reside in and be eligible to work in the United States. The indexer will work with staff members and participate in regular video conferences, communicating with team members through email, documents shared on Google Drive, and our online editorial system. To apply, please send a résumé and cover letter by 8 August to BISMLAIB@mla.org.

The MLA is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws.