JOB TITLE: Curator of Manuscripts and Archival Collections
DEPARTMENT: Library
REPORTS TO: Senior Vice President and Sue Ann Weinberg Director, Patricia D. Klingenstein Library
ABOUT NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Visitors experience 400 years of history through groundbreaking exhibitions, immersive films, and thought-provoking conversations among renowned historians and public figures at the New-York Historical Society, New York’s first museum. A great destination for history since 1804, the Museum and the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library convey the stories of the city and nation’s diverse populations, expanding our understanding of who we are as Americans and how we came to be.
JOB SUMMARY
The Curator of Manuscripts and Archival Collections is responsible for the development, management, interpretation, and promotion of the New-York Historical Society’s manuscript and archival collections. Reporting to the Senior Vice President and Sue Ann Weinberg Director, the Curator of Manuscripts and Archival Collections builds manuscript and archival holdings through donations and purchases, establishes policy and procedures for use of the department’s collections; responds to questions from staff and researchers about the manuscript and archival collections; works with colleagues to increase access to the collections and determine priorities for the processing, digitization, and conservation of the collections; promotes the manuscript collections through presentations, programs, exhibitions, and print and electronic media; serves as editor of the library’s blog, “From the Stacks,” and works with New-York Historical’s communications department to identify library collections for use in social media; participates in library and institution-wide initiatives. The Curator will support New-York Historical Society’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives by building and shaping the manuscript and archival collections, and highlighting and reinterpreting existing material, with emphasis on the histories of the region’s underrepresented and marginalized populations.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Respond to a high volume of donation offers, conduct site visits, coordinate and participate in the packing and transfer of acquisitions;
Research, identify, and recommend additional collections for donation and purchase; cultivate potential donors;
Work closely with the Director of Library Curatorial Affairs and Research to prioritize potential donations and purchases;
Respond to questions, many of them time-sensitive, from researchers, colleagues in all New-York Historical departments, senior staff, and board members;
Advise public service staff on the provision of manuscript and archival collections to onsite researchers;
Review and update policy and procedures for use of manuscript and archival collections on a regular basis;
Assist in writing grant proposals to fund projects that increase access to manuscript and archival collections through processing, cataloging, conservation, and digitization;
Work with the Director of Cataloging, Metadata, and Archival Processing and the Director of the Library Digital Program to prioritize collections for cataloging, processing, and digitization and to determine work flows;
Work with the conservation department to identify preservation needs and set conservation priorities for the manuscript and archival collections;
Work with the other curators and the Library Collections Manager to determine onsite and offsite storage locations for the manuscript and archival collections;
Promote manuscript and archival collections through presentations, programs, exhibitions, and print and electronic media;
Edit the library’s blog, “From the Stacks,” and work with New-York Historical’s communications department to identify library collections for use in social media;
Contribute to library and institution-wide initiatives; work closely with colleagues across the institution on a regular basis;
Additional duties as requested.
REQUIREMENTS
M.L.S. from an A.L.A.-accredited library school;
At least five years’ experience working in a professional capacity in a library with substantial manuscript, archival, or other special collection holdings;
Energized by the prospect of working in a collaborative, hands-on environment;
Ability to pivot between working independently and assisting colleagues with short-term tasks;
A keen appreciation of historical documents and their potential to inspire and educate;
Experience reading handwritten materials dating from the 17th to the present;
A strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and antiracism, with a commitment to making special collections more accessible and meaningful to a diverse audience;
Knowledge of scholarly trends and the research needs of scholars;
Significant experience presenting to a range of audiences;
Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and diplomatic skills;
Familiarity with deeds of gifts and provenance issues;
Thorough understanding of information technologies, automated library systems, and emerging standards and practices as they apply to special collections and archives; prior use of Ex Libris integrated library system, ArchivesSpace, and Aeon preferred;
Record of participation in local or national organizations related to history, libraries, archives, and manuscripts.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
The employee will spend many hours sitting and using a computer. They will also bend, stoop, and open file cabinets and frequently walk from their desk to collection areas on a different floor. The employee will walk and climbs steps throughout the day and on occasion lift 20 lb. boxes. The employee will travel to offsite locations to view potential donations; these site visits may include packing and lifting boxes.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The expected salary for this position is $90,000.
New-York Historical Society provides a generous benefits package for eligible employees to support their health and wellbeing, which includes:
Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal days, and holidays observed by the Museum;
Medical, dental, vision and life insurance;
Short and long-term disability coverage options;
403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for employer contributions following one year of full-time service;
Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses, dependent care, and parking and transit expenses;
Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their families;
20% discount at the NYHistory Store, Café 77 and Clara restaurant, located within the Museum;
Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions across the city.
COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY
To ensure the overall health and safety of the New-York Historical Society community, all newly hired employees of the New-York Historical Society are required to be fully-vaccinated with an FDA or WHO approved vaccine against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions for medical, religious, or other reasons in accordance with all applicable laws.
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
Apply via this link.
The New-York Historical Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer.