BlessTheirLittleHearts (1983) Charles Burnett, Bernard Nicholas, and Billy Woodberry Courtesy: Milestone Films

Reference Librarian

Position

Reference Librarian (full-time)

Location

Manhattan, NY United States

Application Date

January 01, 1970

Job Link

https://nypl.pinpointhq.com/jobs/22347

Job Contact

hrd@nypl.org

Overview

The New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division seeks a dynamic individual to enhance the use of its world class archival holdings and to serve as a resource and facilitator for public service access.
The Moving Image and Recorded Sound (MIRS) Division collects and preserves audio and moving image (AMI) material related to global black experiences. The Division is central to the NYPL’s and Schomburg Center’s mission to advance knowledge and inspire lifelong learning by the strength of its collections but also by the compelling nature of AMI materials, which literally give movement and voice to the major historical, artistic and cultural moments of the Twentieth Century.
For more: https://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg/moving-image-and-recorded-sound-division.

Librarians start at $55,027 per year and are eligible in 12 months for an increased salary of $60,574 based on successful job performance.

Key Responsibilities
Working with and under the supervision of the Curator, the Audio and Moving Image (AMI) Librarian/Specialist II will assist in managing the moving image and recorded sound collection and coordinate the division’s daily administration, which includes:
  • Manage daily reference service inquiries related to AMI collections
  • Provide research and reference consultations with individual scholars, researchers and other library users
  • Manage all “on demand” digitization, including onsite patron requests, remote duplication requests and requests for NYPL exhibitions
  • Aid processing of AMI collections, creating finding aids and other organizational, access and public service related activities
  • Aid AMI collection management from accession and preservation to digitization, including housing, location and organization
  • Support the Schomburg Center’s AMI collection development strategies, public services, policies and procedures, and special projects
  • Supervise interns and other occasional staff
  • Serve on relevant committees, task forces, and working groups
  • Perform related duties as required
Required Education & Experience
  • Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, AMI archiving, or a related field
  • Professional experience in a research setting, such as a library or university, or a large AV archive
Required Skills
  • Knowledge of AV technologies and formats
  • Knowledge and interest in Black history and culture
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Library of Congress subject headings
  • Demonstrated knowledge of archival processing, description/metadata and digitization
  • Ability to work well with colleagues, donors, and the public
  • Planning and Organizational Skills
  • Excellent oral and written communication
  • Possess the ability to perform physical requirements including retrieving and moving material weighing up to 40 pounds
Preferred Qualifications
  • 2 or more years of experience with audio & moving image (AMI) collections
Please Note: Effective August 2, 2021, absent a qualifying exception for medical or religious reasons, newly hired employees of the New York Public Library must present proof of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination and may not begin employment at the Library until 14 days after their receipt of their second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or 14 days after their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  Newly hired employees who need additional time to receive their vaccination prior to their start date may request an adjournment of their start date with their hiring manager.  The Library will consider such requests on a case by case basis, depending upon the Library’s operational needs, among other factors.  The Library will further consider exemptions for prospective employees who cannot become vaccinated due to a qualifying medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief or practice.  Candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment and who seek a medical or religious exemption to the Library’s vaccination policy should contact hrservicecenter@nypl.org for instructions on how to submit the required information for the evaluation of their exemption request.
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
Physical Duties
  • Light lifting required
  • May require travel within NYC
Physical Required?
No

Union/Non Union
Non Union

Schedule
35 hours per week including regular monthly Saturdays