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Metropolitan New York Library Council

Librarian III – Schomburg Center (Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books) at The

Metropolitan New York Library Council, New York, New York, us, 10261

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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, featuring 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 Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books (MARB) Division collects, preserves, and makes available for research purposes rare, unique, and primary materials that document the history and culture of people of African descent throughout the world, with a concentration on the Americas and the Caribbean. The Librarian III is responsible for providing reference services in the MARB Division. The librarian interfaces with the public and the research community while offering support to other division reading rooms at the Schomburg Center. In addition to the public-facing services, the Librarian III will provide support to the division and its Curator and Assistant Curator with exhibitions at the Schomburg Center, New York Public Library, and other venues.

Key Responsibilities

Provide public service leadership for MARB 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 reference services including policies and procedures, special projects, exhibitions, and related programming

Update and create content for web pages, LibGuides, and training materials

Supervise pages in the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division

Serve on relevant committees, task forces, and working groups that are related to professional responsibilities

Collaborate with public services units within the Research Libraries 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 and Certifications

ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies

Required Experience

Experience providing reference service in a research setting, such as a library, special collection, university, or archive

Strong experience and demonstrated knowledge of online catalogs, databases, and library and archive reference and information resources

Subject area expertise of any of the following: African American History/Studies/Literature, Africana Studies, Diaspora or Cultural Studies

Demonstrated supervisory experience

Required Skills

Ability to both work independently and collaboratively, establishing and maintaining working relationships with staff, researchers, other organizations and professionals in the field

Excellent organizational and time management skills

Knowledge of cataloging standards (DACS, MARC, RDA, LCSH, LCCN)

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

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

May supervise Librarian II

Supervise Library Pages

Benefits 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

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

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