Librarian II, Picture Collection

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Overview

For more than 125 years, The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of books, information, ideas, and education. With collections numbering more than 56 million items and serving more than 16 million patrons in person each year and millions more online, NYPL’s reach is both local and global. Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities.

At our world-class research centers–including the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Library for the Performing Arts, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture–expert staff facilitate the work of our diverse communities, offering inspiring reading rooms, programs, exhibitions, fellowships, and a dynamic range of research services. Their work is supported by dedicated staff on the Collections and Research Services teams. We are proud to be the most public and widely used research library in the world.

The Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints, and Photographs is composed of five collections that represent one of the most significant art and art historical research collections in the country. The Picture Collection provides an encyclopedic array of pictures organized into subjects to support artistic, cultural, historical, and comparative research. New York’s diverse community of artists, designers, students, scholars, film producers, and historians has relied on the Collection for visual research for over 100 years.

The Librarian II plays a key role within the Picture Collection by providing excellent public service in the form of reference work, instruction, outreach, writing, and works with colleagues across the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building to ensure an optimal experience for all visitors to the Library. The Librarian II is collaborative, service-oriented, and committed to equitable access to collections for all researchers.

Responsibilities

Provides excellent research and reference assistance to scholarly and general users, in the reading room and remotely

Develops and teaches classes for the public, educational, and cultural institutions, and participates in the Library’s outreach and instruction strategy

Performs collection development tasks within the Picture Collection, including the selection and description of visual materials according to national and local subject heading standards

Assists in the implementation of social media initiatives in collaboration with the Social Media team, Wallach Division team, and guest curators

Regularly creates and updates online content, including research guides, and assorted educational materials

Maintains a personal program of continuous education and professional development

Participate in NYPL-wide initiatives through participation on committees, task forces, research library meetings, and other relevant groups

Contributes to accurate and timely reporting of statistics, providing insights that inform service enhancements, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making

Perform other related duties as required

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies

Required Experience

Demonstrated engagement with visual studies through academic background, training, interest, or expertise

Experience providing welcoming and expert public service, reference or customer service in a research library or similar setting

Experience teaching and participating in community outreach initiatives

Required Skills

Successfully demonstrates excellent interpersonal, public service, and hospitality-driven skills, acting as a welcoming ambassador to provide seamless research support to a diverse user community

Demonstrated initiative, attention to detail, judgment, and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Familiarity with using a wide range of resources in reference work

Ability to multitask and work in a dynamic environment

Have the capacity to assess the accuracy, completeness, and quality of information resources

Demonstrated competency to support artistic, cultural, historical, and comparative research with a diverse collection of visual materials

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

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

Research Library

Physical Duties

Light lifting up to 15 lbs required

Sitting and standing for periods of time

Daily use of a computer

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

No

Union/Non Union

Local 1930

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Schedule

Onsite, 35 hours per week to be scheduled during regular building hours, some Saturday and evening hours required:

Monday 10 AM–6 PM

Tuesday 10 AM–8PM

Wednesday 10 AM–8PM

Thursday 10 AM–6PM

Friday 10 AM–6PM

Saturday 10 AM–6PM

Contact: aristidelavey@bookops.org