Assistant Museum Librarian, Acquisitions, Thomas J. Watson Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
About the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across all times and cultures in order to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas.
The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Since it was founded in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. Every day, art comes alive in the Museum's galleries and through its exhibitions and events, revealing both new ideas and unexpected connections across time and across cultures.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITES & DUTIES:
This position orders research material for Watson Library and coordinates acquisitions for other Museum libraries. This position participates in vendor communication, coordinating the purchases of e-books and monitoring special collection purchases, as well as serving as the point person for library acquisitions requests from Met staff and outside researchers (combining purchases and gifts the library adds approximately 1,000 books per month). In addition, this position participates in library outreach and instruction initiatives including classes and training on online resources and provides reference service to Museum staff and visiting researchers.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILIES & DUTIES:
- Orders and receives print and electronic library materials, including special collections materials, working closely with Collection Development and Technical Services staff, using EDIFACT protocol.
- Orders publications to advance the library’s goal to acquire resources for an inclusive present and future, ensuring that underrepresented and marginalized artists and artistic traditions are meaningfully represented in the library’s collection.
- Responds to purchasing request from Met staff and outside researchers and ensures that appropriate orders are placed and received.
- Orders and catalogs special collections library materials; works with Collection Development staff to mainstream the purchasing of special collections materials.
- Orders and evaluates library material in response to curatorial and ILL requests and supervises the ordering activity of staff, volunteers, and interns.
- Trains staff, volunteers, and interns in ordering and processing library materials.
- Takes part in library outreach and instruction initiatives to Museum staff and visiting researchers.
- Works collaboratively with all Technical Services and Collection Development staff to regularly update policies, procedures, and workflows in acquisitions and processing.
- Manages the Mailroom and Receiving Teams to streamline and expedite receiving of incoming materials.
- Partners with library staff to support a welcoming environment for all staff and researchers.
- Encourages and appreciates diversity, values different perspectives and experiences, and is actively committed to a culture of inclusion and respect.
- Ensures the rapid processing of new purchases and gifts.
- Manages and maintains relationships with an international group of vendors, serving as point person for vendor communications.
- Responsible for the assessment and implementation of new library acquisitions technologies.
- Provides reference service in Watson, including at least three weekend days per year.
- Contributes to Watson Library’s social media presence through blog posts and work on the Instagram team.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:
Fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, sincerely held religious belief, or pregnancy, or because you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses).
Experience and Skills:
- Two years of experience in an academic or research library required.
- Experience with EDIFACT ordering protocol preferred.
- Experience using OCLC Connexion Client required.
- Experience with copy-cataloging in RDA.
- Experience using an Integrated Library System required, Innovative Interfaces preferred.
- Experience providing research instruction in a classroom setting.
- Experience with data visualization software such as Tableau preferred.
- Strong administrative, organizational and project management skills required.
- Aptitude for detailed work including strong problem solving skills required.
- Effective supervisory skills and ability to train staff in library procedures required.
- Demonstrated leadership and change management ability as well as ability to work collaboratively with a diverse staff required.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required.
Knowledge and Education:
- M.L.S. from an accredited program, or work towards, required.
- Knowledge of Excel required.
- Knowledge of cataloging standards, MARC formats, FTP, and other relevant metadata standards required.
- Familiarity with foreign languages required.
Benefits Offerings
The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
- Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
- Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
- Free financial-planning services
- Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
- 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
- A subsidized staff cafeteria
- Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
To Apply:
