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

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 #J-18808-Ljbffr nypl