The New York Public Library seeks an experienced professional who is committed to the accessibility of special collections to lead its Special Collections Processing department.
Preservation and Special Collections Processing (PCP) is the department within NYPL’s Collections and Research Services that is responsible for the management and preservation of all of the Research Libraries collections and for the processing of its special collections. Special Collections Processing (SCP) is the department within PCP that promotes access to the Library’s most distinctive collections by creating and publishing catalog records and finding aids, as well as preparing special collections for storage and use. SCP staff also make site visits to help evaluate potential acquisitions; estimate processing time and costs associated with potential acquisitions, grants, and digitization projects; and partner with Collection Management in the accessioning of large and complex acquisitions.
The Assistant Director for Special Collections Processing leads a staff of 30 split into two departments -Archival Processing and Special Collections Cataloging -each of which is headed by Manager. In addition to overseeing SCP’s operations, the Assistant Director collaborates closely with:
- other PCP department heads (Collection Management, Conservation, Systems and Coordination) to develop processes and workflows that cut across the departments’ functions;
- curators and curatorial supervisors to establish and communicate processing priorities, expectations, and processing standards; and
- other department leads and staff throughout the Library to promote the discovery and accessibility of its special collections
Principal Responsibilities
Reporting to the Associate Director for Preservation and Collections Processing, the Assistant Director for Special Collections Processing will:
- Plan, coordinate, and manage workflows of the unit based on collection priorities and institutional goals
- Supervise and train managers and staff charged with processing special collections
- Manages processing queues, setting benchmarks for staff and collaborating with curatorial staff to insure queues reflect curatorial and institutional priorities
- Lead development and documentation of special collections processing standards and procedures
- Manage department budget
- Provide regular statistical and narrative reports, as well as occasional reports required for grants and other special projects
- Collaborate closely with other program heads within PCP to develop procedures and workflows that make full use of expertise and capacities of the entire department
- Oversee department’s work with the BookOps cataloging department on the development and standardization of cataloging policies and best practices throughout the Library
- Keeps abreast of developments in the field and insures SCP’s standards and methods are in line with current best practices
Required Education & Experience
- ALA accredited Master’s degree (MLS, MLIS) in Library/Information Studies.
- Minimum seven years successful professional experience in cataloging special collections or processing archival collections
- Minimum three years experience supervising archival processing or special collections cataloging
Minimum Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience with cataloging and processing tools, utilities, content standards, and data models including RDA, AACR2, DCRM, MARC, LCSH, LC/NAF, AAT, TGM, OCLC Connexion, Cataloger’s Desktop, RDA Toolkit, DACS, EAD, and ArchivesSpace, EAC, SNAC
- Awareness of emerging trends in the fields of archival processing and cataloging, metadata, and linked data
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience as a contributor to cross-institutional projects
- Active participant in the professional organizations
The annual salary range for this position is $110,000-$118,000.
To view the full job description or to apply online, please visit our website:
https://jobs-nypl.icims.com/jobs/11410/assistant-director%2c-special-collections-processing/job
