Associate Museum Librarian, Systems & Information Technology at Metropolitan Museum of Art

METRO | 599; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The METRO | 599 in New York seeks an Associate Museum Librarian responsible for managing integrated library systems and supporting various digital initiatives. You will administer library software, enhance data analytics, and contribute to cataloging workflows. A strong foundation in library management and information science, particularly with Innovative Interfaces ILS, is required.

The successful candidate will also develop dashboards using Power BI, collaborate with digital teams, and ensure efficient library operations. We value analytical skills and a commitment to public service.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Library or Information Science is required.
• Minimum of two years managing an Integrated Library System (ILS).
• Five years of overall library experience.
• Knowledge of SQL, HTML/CSS, and content visualization tools essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage maintenance and development of library ILS.
• Support and enhance library's data analytics and systems.
• Contribute to the library's digital initiatives and projects.
• Develop and maintain dashboards in Power BI.

Skills

Library information systems management

Data visualization

Python scripting

SQL querying

Information security practices

Power BI

Education

Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science

Bachelor’s degree in Art History

Tools

AWS

Innovative Interfaces ILS

HTML/CSS

Content management systems

Unix/Linux

Job description

As the Associate Museum Librarian, you will administer and maintain the library’s integrated library systems, manage the library’s hardware and software applications and play an active role in the library’s extensive digital initiatives. You will contribute to library data analytics, visualization, and support information security. You will support and pilot emerging tools including LLM/AI-assisted workflows – for cataloging, metadata, and systems automation to streamline workflows of patron-facing services. You will be a core team member of several technical service teams and provide reference and research support to library patrons.

Primary Responsibilities & Duties

• Manages the maintenance and ongoing development of the library ILS (Innovative Interfaces Inc.’s Sierra); serves as primary contact with the vendor; coordinates with the library systems team for installing new releases, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Provides staff training on all upgrades and enhancements and their implications for improving access, workflows and processes; assesses the value of new software and features.
• Manages and supports the operation of the ILS by maintaining configuration and access tables, creating documentation, maintaining passwords and authorizations, and by resolving problems relating to records, access, and functionality.
• Works closely with vendors providing link resolvers, proxy authentication, authorities processing, cataloging services, digital repositories, and interlibrary loan systems; monitors, ensures optimal performance, and resolves technical support issues when appropriate.
• Collaborates with library staff and vendors to identify, format, and coordinate the batch loading of vendor-supplied records into the online catalog.
• Works as a key member of the Digitization Team to plan, implement, and support projects that advance the creation of digital collections.
• Maintains the library’s externally hosted web server and serves as the library’s primary administrator of the Museum’s content management system (currently Sanity), including page migration, content updates, user research, and coordination with Digital.
• Communicates regularly with library and museum staff on technology‑related issues; works collaboratively with Digital and IS&T; provides regular updates on the status of ongoing projects, new equipment and services, and the resolution of technology issues.
• Develops and maintains Python and shell scripts, SQL queries, and lightweight web applications designed to automate or partially automate processes related to extract, transform, and load library data, record loading, and reporting workflows.
• In collaboration with Library team, contribute to blog library newsletter and outreach.
• Collects and reports system‑generated statistics and provides management and statistical reports on systems operations. Prepares and distributes local documentation as necessary; advises on the library’s information technology budgets and negotiates and arranges for the purchase of appropriate products and services.
• Develops and maintains library data products and dashboards in PowerBI, including the Artist Indexes (IBA, IINAA, ILGBTQIA+, IHLAA, IAAPI), ILS performance dashboards, and digital collections usage reports; collaborates with library staff on data modeling and reconciliation (OpenRefine, SQL).
• Administers the Library’s cloud infrastructure (AWS: S3, EC2, Lambda, IAM, SNS) for content delivery, shared access, and automation, in coordination with the Head of Systems and Museum IS&T.
• Supports information‑security practices for library systems, including periodic security reviews of departmental access, hardening of patron‑facing forms and accounts, coordination with vendors on incidents (e.g., junk‑account IP blocks).
• Coordinates library staff onboarding and offboarding for systems access, including network accounts, ILS authorizations, mailbox setup, and shared drive permissions, in partnership with IS&T and HR.
• Provides research support and scheduled reference service (including 3–4 weekend shifts per year required).
• Coordinates the lifecycle of library workstations, peripherals, scanners, and printing equipment — including deployment, OS upgrades (e.g., Windows 11 rollout), replacement, and decommissioning — and ensures their ongoing effective use.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science, with a bachelor’s degree or experience in Art History preferred.
• Two or more years’ experience managing an ILS required, Innovative Interfaces preferred, in a medium or large research library.
• 5 Years of library experience required.
• Coursework or demonstrated competency in computer science, programming, information security, or cloud architecture desirable.
• Knowledge of HTML/CSS, XML/XSL, Microsoft Excel, content management systems, visualization tools (Power BI), web design, and graphic design.
• Knowledge and experience working with content management systems required. CONTENTdm, TMS, and Sanity experience desirable.
• Knowledge of relational database design principles required.
• Demonstrated project management experience, training and supervisory skills required; experience with Agile/DevOps practices and tools such as Jira and Slack preferred.
• Experience administering a Unix/Linux operating system using the command line interface required.
• Experience with Zotero citation management software desirable.
• Demonstrated aptitude for acquiring new skills relevant to library systems required.
• Strong service orientation and awareness of end user needs as related to library systems and web platforms required.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem‑solving skills with a commitment to data‑informed decision‑making processes required.
• Experience and commitment to public services including reference and instruction required.
• Ability to work effectively, both collaboratively and independently, in a service‑driven environment required.
• Experience administering an enterprise content management preferred.
• Experience building production data dashboards and reports in PowerBI (or comparable platform) preferred.
• Familiarity with cloud‑hosted services and basic AWS concepts (S3, IAM, EC2, Lambda) preferred.
• Awareness of information‑security fundamentals and willingness to participate in security reviews, system hardening, and end‑user security training preferred.