Location: Los Angeles, CA 90049 United States

Salary: $93,149 - $123,421 Yearly Salary

Employment Term: Full-time

Employer Contact: Angie Gonzalez - [log in to unmask]

The Getty Research Institute (GRI) seeks an innovative, energetic, and creative manager to oversee the services and staff of the Reference section within Research Services at the Getty Library.  The Reference team provides access and in-depth research services, focusing primarily on visual culture, to a wide array of domestic and international researchers and the interested public visiting in-person and virtually.  Reporting to the Head, Research Services and partnering with staff across the Library, the Manager of Reference maintains, refines, and further develops the range of high level of services for which the GRI is renowned. The Manager supervises 5 direct reports: 3 Reference Librarians and 2 Library Assistants.  Responsibilities include managing the many activities of the broader reference team, which includes staff from other areas of the library in addition to direct reports, and ensuring timely and equitable distribution of and replies to all requests, as well as working closely with the Head of Permissions to coordinate the Rights and Reproductions assignments of the reference team. The Manager should possess a deep knowledge and understanding of the questions and processes entailed in conducting research within a special collections and archival environment. The Manager takes an active role in developing and contributing to outreach activities for the library in coordination with colleagues across the library and the GRI, including but not limited to social media, Libguides, special events, etc.

The Getty Research Institute is dedicated to furthering knowledge and advancing awareness of the visual arts and their various histories through its expertise, ongoing collecting program, public programs, institutional partnerships, exhibitions, publications, digital services, and residential scholars’ programs. Serving an international community of scholars and the interested public, the Getty Library is one of the largest art and architecture libraries in the world, with holdings of more than 1.5 million volumes, digital resources, and Special Collections including rare books and journals, rare photographs, prints and drawings dating from the 15th century to the present, architectural drawings and models, art multiples, film, audio and video recordings, digital content, and extensive archival collections.

• Manages the staff and the activities of the section and functional reference team, developing and implementing policies and procedures, ensuring quality service, evaluating workflows to improve efficiencies, and providing guidance on best practices
• Provides specialized collection overviews, tours, workshops, and high-level assistance to outside partners and instructors teaching within the collections
• Partners with colleagues to devise and/or revise policies and procedures for reference and related services
• Applies creative solutions while assisting in developing or improving practices and procedures using current and emerging technologies
• Coordinates and develops the Library’s work with the suite of Springshare products (Libguides, LibAnswers, etc.)
• Consults with library users and provides guidance for advanced research.  May conduct highly specialized research for expertise-related requests
• Staffs the reference/information desk. Provides in-person, phone, email reference and instruction assistance to researchers and the general public, onsite and virtually
• Serves as a resource for expert knowledge of professional activities and trends; mentors staff
• Ensures an efficient and effective operation that fosters strong customer service
• Keeps current on technological advances and incorporates knowledge into primary activities
• Participates in working groups related to the Ex Libris suite of hosted products: Primo, Alma, and Rosetta
• May represent the Getty Library in wider GRI or Getty-wide teams
• May represent the GRI externally in field of expertise as appropriate
• May publish or present in areas of expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History or related discipline; Master’s in Library and Information Science, graduate work or equivalent research experience in Art History; advanced degree in Art History preferred
• Minimum 7 years of experience working in an advanced research library or academic library in reference services, with at least 3-5 years experience working with collection materials.
• 3 years minimum supervisory experience
• Project management skills preferred

• Ability to be highly flexible, service-oriented, and to manage as well as to collaborate and work collegially in teams
• Knowledge of art history, reference techniques, research strategies, and professional practices associated with materials found in specialized libraries and collections, including rare books, archives, photographs, audio-visual, and graphic materials
• Familiarity with 2 foreign languages, speaking ability in at least 1 preferred
• Excellent communication and organizational skills to work effectively with a wide range of staff and researchers at all stages of their research and skill level
• High level knowledge and understanding of library and archival standards, ethics, best practices, library applications, computer systems, online databases
• Knowledge of intellectual property rights, copyright, rights management, and privacy rights of users