Specialist II - Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division, Schomburg Center

Job Summary

Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for

Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the

collection, preservation, and interpretation of materials focused on African American, African,

and African Diaspora experiences. The Center features diverse programming and a collection of over 11 million items that illuminate the richness of global Black history and culture. A research library of The New York Public Library and seeded by the collection of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, the Schomburg Center provides free access to materials documenting Black life locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division (MIRS, pronounced “meers”) collects and

preserves audio and moving image (AMI) materials related to the experiences of people of

African descent. The division has amassed approximately 400 collections, nearly 5,000 square

feet, in a variety of formats, which captures the gestures and sounds of major historical, artistic,

and cultural figures and moments. While the strength is the Black American holdings, there

is considerable Caribbean and African representation in the collection.

MIRS seeks a detail oriented and organized Specialist II who will be responsible for assisting with the Division’s reference and collection support. The specialist interfaces with the public and the research community while offering support to other divisions at the Schomburg Center. In addition to the public facing services, the specialist will provide collection maintenance support to the division and assist its Curator with exhibitions at the Schomburg Center, New York Public Library, and other venues.

Responsibilities

• Provide public service and collection support for the MIRS Division and respond to reference questions via email, phone, and in-person from researchers, scholars, and staff
• Participate in outreach activities such as class visits and group presentations
• Provide support to the division with updating collection documentation and reference services including policies and procedures, special projects, exhibitions, and related programming
• Update and create content for web pages, LibGuides, and training materials
• Serve on relevant committees, tasks forces, and working groups that are related to professional responsibilities
• Collaborate with public and technical services units within the Research Libraries (such as Special Collections Processing and Audio and Moving Image Preservation) at the New York Public Library to create a unified patron experience
• Maintain a personal program of continuous education and professional development
• Support the Schomburg Center’s research divisions to ensure patron access to collection materials held throughout the various reading rooms
• Perform other related duties as required

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education

• ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies or Master’s degree in liberal arts or humanities and successful completion of archival and audiovisual training

Required Experience

• Experience providing reference service in a research setting, such as a library, university, or archive
• Experience handling and providing access to various AMI formats
• Subject area expertise of any of the following: African American History/ Studies/ Literature, Africana Studies, Diaspora or Cultural Studies

Required Skills

• Ability to both work independently and collaboratively, establishing and maintaining working relationships with staff, researchers, other organizations and professionals in the field
• Strong experience and knowledge of online catalogs, integrated library systems, databases and reference and information resources
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management, and verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of AMI, archival, and library standards (MARC, RDA, LCSH, LCCN, DACS, IASA Cataloguing Rules, and EBUCore Metadata Set)
• Familiarity with Aeon or other special collections workflow management software
• Strong attention to detail with ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment to meet planned goals
• Demonstrated digital literacy skills

More...

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Office setting
• Public library setting

Physical Duties

• Lifting up to 40 lbs. required
• May require travel within NYC
• Must be able to position oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and use step ladder or climb tall ladders

Physical Required?

No

Union/Non Union

Local 1930

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Schedule

35 hours per week onsite, Monday - Friday, and occasional Saturdays as required, 10am to 6pm

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library

Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at