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 5,700 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 journalism, and LGBTQ+ history. The Division also oversees the Library’s institutional archives and records.

The Specialist II position will play a key role in supporting research in the Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books divisions, which welcomes thousands of special collections patrons each year. The Specialist II will provide excellent public service via reference work, collection description and writing, program and outreach, and instruction. The optimal candidate will be collaborative, service oriented, and committed to equitable access to collections for all researchers. 

 

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Public Services, the Specialist II will:

• Provide research and reference assistance to scholarly and general users, in the reading room and remotely
• Assess and process collection requests and coordinate communications with researchers prior to their arrival at the Library
• Develop and maintain content for research guides and blogs
• Participate in programming and instruction activities
• Assist the Manager of Public Services in outreach initiatives
• Facilitate new scholarship drawing on the division’s collections, and track outcomes of this research, including articles, books, dissertations, and other digital projects
• Support internal use of divisional holdings in programs, exhibitions, curricula, and other initiatives
• Help prepare collections for transfer between Digital Imaging Services, Special Collections Processing, Registrar, ReCAP, and other units
• Retrieve and shelve collection material as needed
• Perform other related duties as required

 

Required Education & Experience

• ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science

• Undergraduate degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences 
• 1-3 years of research library experience

 

Required Skills 

• Commitment to public service and a thorough understanding of the role of special collections within a public library system
• Ability to work with a broad range of humanities scholars, students, and independent researchers with varying levels of experience
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting the use of special collections among diverse audiences and learners
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment, and to work as part of a team 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal effectively and tactfully with patrons and staff
• Ability to communicate clearly and confidently both in writing and in person
• Current understanding of themes, debates, and trends in the field of special collections, especially archives, manuscripts, and rare books
• Strong organization, time management, and planning skills, including the ability to perform multiple projects or tasks simultaneously

 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Knowledge of American history
• Experience developing and conducting a variety of research focused classes and  programs 
• Experience creating research guides 

 

NYPL 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

 

Physical Duties: 

• Light lifting up to 15lbs required
• Sitting and standing for periods of time
• Daily use of a computer

 

Physical Required? 

No

 

Schedule 

35 hours per week to be scheduled during regular building hours, some Saturday hours required.

Division is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 AM to 5 PM; Saturdays, 1 PM to 5 PM

Submit specified application materials to michellemccarthybehler@nypl.org.