Managing Research Librarian - New York Public Library, New York, NY

 

Position Overview:

Established in 1987 with a gift from the Wallach family, The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints, and Photographs united three formerly separate departments. The Art and Architecture Collection is the primary access point for readers and researchers using the Research Libraries’ materials on painting, sculpture, photography, architecture and the decorative arts. The Print Collection encompasses over 200,000 prints along with a specialized reference collection of over 15,000 volumes on the history of prints and printmakers. The Photographs Collection comprises approximately 500,000 photographs, including examples of almost every photographic process from the earliest daguerreotypes to contemporary digital images. The Wallach Division also serves as the access point to the Spencer Collection of fine bindings and illustrated books. Together, these collections include more than one million works of art in various mediums and formats, complemented by nearly 700,000 monographs and periodicals, much of which can be accessed by researchers in its study rooms, which are among the most active and accessible in New York City. The quality, depth and scope of its holdings have earned the Wallach Division an international reputation among a broad variety of scholars and lovers of art.

 

Principle Responsibilities:

• Reporting to The Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Associate Director for Art, Prints, and Photographs, the Managing Research Librarian will be tasked with maintaining and enhancing the Wallach Division's reputation as an indispensable hub for all users of fine and visual arts materials at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building of The New York Public Library.
• Supervises the Art & Architecture Collection staff and desk schedules for two reading rooms; supports and encourages their professional development.
• Works with Head of Collection Development and Wallach staff to pro-actively coordinate efforts to build Art & Architecture Collection strategically.
• Writes and implements policies and procedures governing the Collection, including the Picture Collection.
• Works with peers across the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Divisions to develop similar workflows across these divisions.
• Oversees the Art & Architecture Reading Room and Picture Collection Reading Room, including regular reference desk coverage. Answers patron questions both in-person and remotely.
• Co-leads Wallach outreach initiatives, promoting the collections and the services of the divisions through social media, programs and exhibition and digitization projects.
• Collects, organizes and distributes metrics associated with research services, programming and collection use across the Division.
• Liaises with Division and Library fellows to facilitate their research needs.
• Seeks appropriate interns/volunteers for Art & Architecture Collection projects.
• Writes and implements policies and procedures governing the Collection, including the Picture Collection.
• With Wallach Associate Director and Head of Collection Development, pro-actively coordinate and strategically build Art & Architecture Collection.
• Evaluate current staffing levels of Art & Architecture Reading Room given access hours and patron demand, and make strategic recommendations to improve services.

 

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Supervises Art and Architecture Collection FT staff of 10 and their schedules; support and encourages their professional development.
• Oversees all functions of the Art & Architecture Reading Room and the Picture Collection Reading Room.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

• ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science
• Undergraduate or Master’s Degree in Art History preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience working with readers and materials in a research library setting
• Significant experience working with fine art library collections
• Experience in managing budgets, operations and staff
• Successfully demonstrated knowledge of authoritative humanities and art reference resources in print and electronic formats
• Experience with instruction and public speaking, and an interest in connecting with a spectrum of researcher communities
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse range of humanities researchers
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal effectively and tactfully with patrons and staff
• Commitment to continuing professional education and to the encouragement of professional development in others
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends and advancements in art and architecture publishing
• Experience with managing operations of a branch or department