Archivist (Specialist II) - Schomburg Center

Application Deadline: 6 April 2025

Department: Research Libraries

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Schomburg Center

Reporting To: Barrye Brown

Compensation: $68,177 / year

Description

Overview
The New York Public Library seeks a dynamic individual to enhance the use of its world class archival holdings at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and to serve as a resource and facilitator for public service access.
Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of materials focused on African American, African, and African Diaspora experiences, featuring diverse programming and a collection of over 11 million items that illuminates the richness of global Black history and culture. A research library of The New York Public Library and seeded by the collection of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg nearly a century ago, the Schomburg Center provides free access to materials documenting Black life locally, nationally, and internationally. 
The Archivist’s primary responsibilities are to arrange and describe archival collections of personal papers and organizational records.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Curator of Manuscripts, Archives, and Rare Books, the Archivist (Specialist II) will:

• Arrange and describe archival collections of personal papers and organizational records, perform rehousing and other basic preservation needs, and prepare finding aids in accordance with local and national standards
• Perform original cataloging for special collections in a variety of formats in accordance with local and national standards
• Work with Curator on backlog assessment
• Help manage and maintain our library stacks
• Perform other related duties as required, such as reference and public service 

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• ALA-accredited Master’s degree in library, archival or information studies or Master’s degree in liberal arts or humanities and successful completion of archival training
• Subject area expertise or educational background in any of the following: African American History/Studies/Literature, Africana Studies, or cultural studies

Required Experience

• Minimum of one year experience in an archives or manuscripts repository creating descriptive records for archival collections
• Successfully demonstrated professional experience required for the Specialist II level

Required Skills

• A strong background in archival theory and practice, especially regarding arrangement and description, as well as a familiarity with current approaches to born-digital materials
• Demonstrated knowledge of current standards for archival description (APPM, DACS, LC subject headings, authority control, and MARC 21)
• Demonstrated experience in original cataloging
• Experience in EAD markup
• Experience using ArchivesSpace or Archivists' Toolkit
• Working knowledge of historical research methodology and experience with standard bibliographic tools
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Successfully demonstrated initiative, accuracy, attention to detail, judgment, analytic and organizations
• Ability to work well independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented, team environment

Managerial/Supervisory ResponsibilitiesN/A

More...

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems 
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Core work will take place in the Schomburg Center but occasional travel within NYC may be necessary
• Office setting
• Public research library

Physical Duties

• Daily use of a computer

Pre-Placement Physical Required?
No

Union/Non Union
Local 1930

FLSA Status
Non-Exempt

Schedule 35 hours to be scheduled Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm. Some Saturdays required
 
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