Overview
With a collection that exceeds 46 million items, and a mission to advance knowledge and inspire lifelong learning, the New York Public Library stands as one of the world’s great public research libraries. The Library’s Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books divisions, situated in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, hold over 30,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archives in over 6,000 collections, as well as more than 350,000 rare books and 20,000 broadsides. The collections contain some of the Library’s greatest treasures, ranging from cuneiform tablets, incunabula, and illuminated manuscripts to founding documents of the United States. The collection is particularly strong in books printed in the Americas prior to 1801 and the history of the New York region. Collecting areas of focus include the American Revolution, U.S. Civil War, 19th century U.S. literature, colonial Latin America, New York City social history, the history of publishing, and LGBTQ+ history. The Division also oversees the Library’s institutional archives and records.
 

Reporting to the Associate Director of Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books, the Assistant Curator will support the strategic growth and use of the Manuscripts and Archives division’s collection holdings through collection development, outreach, exhibition and programming, and collection management.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

 

Own:

• Supporting the strategic growth of the Manuscript and Archives collections, with a focus on expanding the diversity of holdings. 
• Advancing a vision of inclusive outreach to a broad range of researchers. 

Teach:

• With department staff, providing thoughtful instruction opportunities for teachers and students. 
• Promoting the holdings and mission of the Library at conferences, external programs, and other forms of professional development.

Learn:

• Continuing to learn about Library’s collections and ways they can support cutting-edge scholarship 
• Contributing to grants related to collection development, digitization, processing, and interpretation of manuscripts and archives collections

Improve:

• Interdepartmental collaboration and communication by serving as a liaison with MSSRB’s partners

Some expectations for this role are that within:

 

1 month, this person will:

• Understand the department’s responsibilities and the range of services it provides, both internally and externally
• Begin building knowledge of the Manuscripts and Archives division’s collection holdings and related collection systems

3 months, this person will:

• Be familiar with the key departments with which our department collaborates
• Begin assuming collection outreach and promotional responsibilities

6 months and beyond, this person will:

• Establish relationships with key department collaborators throughout the institution
• Begin assisting in exhibition preparation and instruction 

Responsibilities

• Assist on all aspects of collection development for the Manuscripts and Archives division, including identification of important acquisitions, donor relations, proposal writing and acquisition description, and documentation oversight
• Conduct outreach to new and existing networks of researchers and work to diversify the collection’s users and use; offer as-needed reference support to specialized researchers, including Library research fellows
• In collaboration with department colleagues, develop and lead classes using Manuscripts and Archives collections
• Collaborate with Special Collections Processing to ensure collection description meets public service needs
• Assist department curators on exhibitions related to manuscripts, archives, and rare books collections; collaborate with Exhibition and Registrarial staff to prepare collections for exhibition and loans
• Conduct scholarly research on divisional holdings, to result in publications, programs, and exhibitions 
• Collaborate with other content-producing departments, including the Center for Educators and Schools, Public Programs, and Communications
• Support divisional social media accounts
• Perform other related duties as necessary

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

Master’s degree or higher in humanities field and relevant experience; or ALA-accredited master’s degree in library and information science or archival science

Required Experience

• 3-5 years of research library or museum experience, with positions of increasing responsibility
• Experience with special collections research and collection development
• Experience developing interpretive projects such as programs or exhibitions 

Required Skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once and meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse range of humanities scholars, students, and independent researchers with varying levels of experience
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and equity in collection development, outreach, and interpretation
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal effectively and tactfully with donors, researchers, and colleagues
• Up-to-date understanding of themes, debates, and trends in the field of special collections, especially archives, manuscripts, and rare books
• Excellent writing and public speaking skills

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/office setting
• Will occasionally have to visit private homes and storage facilities

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
Non-Union

FLSA Status
Exempt

Schedule

35 hours per week to be scheduled Monday through Friday; some evenings as needed.

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

 

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

 

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org. 

Apply online here