The New York Academy of Medicine is seeking a Curator, Rare Books and Manuscripts for its Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health division.
Mission
The New York Academy of Medicine
advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since
1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world's urban populations
through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community
engagement and innovative research.
Drawing on the expertise of diverse
partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the
professions, our current priorities are
- To create environments in cities that support healthy aging
- To strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public's health
- To implement interventions that eliminate health disparities
Summary and Description
The NYAM Center for the History of
Medicine and Public Health is looking for an experienced, innovative and
energetic curator. The curator will be a key member of the Center team, and
will work closely with colleagues in the acquisition, intellectual management,
and use of the rare book collections and develop physical and online
exhibitions, web resources, programming, and events in the history of medicine,
public health, and the book. The curator will also take a leading role in
establishing the Center’s activities and profile within the scholarly community
and broader public audiences. This position is an outstanding opportunity for a
proactive individual working with a world-class collection in the history of
medicine and public health, at a leading institution in New York City, found at
the top of the “Museum Mile” along Fifth Avenue .
Duties and Responsibilities
• Take responsibility for intellectual management of the rare book and manuscript collections and collaborate with the conservation staff to ensure the physical well-being of the collections
• Participate in the planning and implementation of digitization programs
• Create exhibitions (both online and physical) independently and in partnership with NYAM colleagues and Fellows, and with other institutions
• Develop the rare book collections through purchase and gift
• Work with colleagues to develop public programming and events
• Contribute to user services activities as required, including reference work, bibliographic instruction and outreach activities
• Respond to loan requests from other organizations
• Collaborate with colleagues in the original and copy cataloguing of rare books
• Work with colleagues to identify and prepare grant proposals
• Participate in fund-raising and donor cultivation activities
• Maintain a presence in relevant professional academic and library organizations
Qualifications
Essential
• Three to five years work experience in rare books and special collections.
• Reading knowledge of Latin is essential, with one or more additional European languages (preferably French or German) highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present (in oral and written form) to audiences at a variety of levels, including scholars, students, and the public.
• High level computer and web skills.
• Knowledge of book collecting and the antiquarian book trade.
• Physical ability to undertake collection management duties such as movement of books and materials weighing up to 30 lbs.
Desirable
• Experience planning, preparing, and mounting physical or online exhibitions.
• Acquaintance with conservation and preservation theory and practice.
• Familiarity with national standards for administering collections of rare books and manuscripts.
• Knowledge of AACR2(rev.) or RDA, the MARC 21 format, DCRB, and rare book cataloging principles.
• Experience in donor relations and fund-raising.
• Teaching or presentation and outreach experience.
• Three to five years work experience in rare books and special collections.
• Reading knowledge of Latin is essential, with one or more additional European languages (preferably French or German) highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to present (in oral and written form) to audiences at a variety of levels, including scholars, students, and the public.
• High level computer and web skills.
• Knowledge of book collecting and the antiquarian book trade.
• Physical ability to undertake collection management duties such as movement of books and materials weighing up to 30 lbs.
Desirable
• Experience planning, preparing, and mounting physical or online exhibitions.
• Acquaintance with conservation and preservation theory and practice.
• Familiarity with national standards for administering collections of rare books and manuscripts.
• Knowledge of AACR2(rev.) or RDA, the MARC 21 format, DCRB, and rare book cataloging principles.
• Experience in donor relations and fund-raising.
• Teaching or presentation and outreach experience.
Experience
MLS from an ALA-accredited
institution with experience in a rare book and manuscript library and relevant
subject knowledge and/or advanced degree in the humanities, with an emphasis in
history, especially the history of medicine, history of science, or history of
the book, with expertise reflecting the strengths of the NYAM collection. The
ideal candidate will have both library credentials and a background in the
history of medicine or the book.
To Apply
Please email a résumé and cover
letter with the names of three references to hr@nyam.org. Please include
“Curator, Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health” in subject line.
For more information, visit our
website: www.nyam.org.
The New York Academy of Medicine is
an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
- Original posting: http://www.nyam.org/about-us/careers/curator-rare-books-and-1.html#sthash.GL6JmWSP.dpuf
