About the Library

The New York Society Library is New York City’s oldest library, founded in 1754. The Library is open to all
for reading, reference, and selected events, with circulation and other services available to members.
Membership is open to all for an annual fee. The Library’s beautiful, landmarked building dates from
1917 and includes reading rooms, spaces for study, book stacks, a Children’s Library, and the Assunta,
Ignazio, Ada and Romano Peluso Exhibition Gallery. The Library has approximately 300,000 volumes in
its collection, comprised of circulating books, periodicals, electronic resources, e-books & digital
magazines, rare books, and institutional archives. It is an important collection that spans the reading
history of New Yorkers from the mid-18th century to the present day and that includes materials from
as early as the 15th century. The Library also hosts a variety of special events, reading & writing groups,
workshops, and the New York City Book Awards.

Position Summary

The New York Society Library (NYSL) is seeking an enthusiastic and visionary leader to be our Director of
Collections. The ideal candidate will be an experienced manager and a self-motivated forward thinker,
who is passionate about books and libraries.

Reporting to the Director & Head Librarian and serving as a member of the senior management team,
the new position of Director of Collections will be responsible for the strategic direction and the day-to-
day management of the Collections Department, in alignment with the Library’s overall strategic and
long-term plans. The Director of Collections will lead a newly consolidated department comprising a
staff of eight library professionals in Acquisitions, Cataloging, Special Collections, and Conservation. The
Director of Collections will also work collaboratively with the Children’s Library staff, Exhibitions, and
Circulation Department.

The Library’s collection is comprised of nearly 300,000 circulating books, periodicals, electronic
resources, e-books & digital magazines, rare books, and our institutional archives. The Director of
Collections will guide the management of this diverse collection by meeting the reading and
informational needs of current and future Library members and visitors, ensuring accessibility, and
providing excellent stewardship of these materials. This senior leader will oversee a highly professional
and skilled staff responsible for the selection, acquisition & disposition, cataloging, care, preservation,
and risk management of the Library’s collection. The Director of Collections will need to balance the
competing demands of the day-to-day process flow, while successfully managing special projects, such
as the digitization of archival materials  and the preparation for a proposed library expansion.

The most competitive candidates will have experience in library acquisitions or in cataloging, and who
are as comfortable working hands on as they are mentoring and managing others. The successful
candidate will share our mission to serve the needs of the general reader by acquiring, and making
available and accessible high-quality titles that will educate, entertain, and enlighten our members and
visitors for years to come. We are looking for the best candidate for the position, one who will work well
with our service-minded staff. We recognize that not all candidates will meet all the qualifications as
stated and therefore, we encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet all of our
preferred criteria.

Minimum Qualifications

• MLS from an ALA-accredited program
• Ten or more years’ experience in a library collections department with demonstrated
  experience in some or all aspects of collections management: acquisitions, cataloging & technical services, integrated library software maintenance, materials conservation and
  preservation
• Five or more years’ experience supervising, evaluating, and mentoring staff
• Strong organizational and communications skills
• Excellent teamwork

Professional Competencies

• Demonstrated success in personnel management including the ability to foster team
  commitment and trust; to prepare and support staff through change; to inspire team members;
  and to foster creativity and innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage change by developing workable implementation plans;
  communicating changes effectively; monitoring transitions; and evaluating results.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and project-planning skills.
• Ability to work independently and collegially.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, colleagues, and Library users.
• Experience providing public service and instruction in a library setting.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and
  accessibility.

Desirable Skills and Qualifications

• Experience using Innovative Interfaces Sierra ILS
• Familiarity with the Dewey Decimal classification system
• Familiarity with Library of Congress subject headings and rule interpretations
• Reading knowledge of Latin and/or at least one Western European language

How to apply:

To be considered for the position, potential candidates should email a cover letter and resume to
Carolyn Waters, Director & Head Librarian at cwaters@nysoclib.org. Please include “Director of
Collections” as the subject line.

 

 

Submit specified application materials to cwaters@nysoclib.org.