Collection Manager, Library Services Center

nypl; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York Public Library is seeking a Collection Manager for the Library Services Center in Long Island City, Queens. The role oversees special collections acquisitions logistics, coordinating with NYPL staff, dealers, donors, and shippers to manage packing and shipping during acquisitions.

You will work closely with Collections & Research Services teams to ensure preservation, proper documentation, and secure transfer of materials to research centers and offsite storage after processing.

Responsibilities

• Manages special collections acquisitions logistics for multiple projects, overseeing preservation and custody control, collaborating closely with the Senior Manager, Special Collections Acquisitions and the Manager, Archival Accessioning.
• Collaborates with and teaches cross-functional partners regarding preservation issues in new acquisitions and guides decision-making around potential remediation strategies prior to processing.
• Oversees appropriate storage, movement, and tracking of special collections materials at LSC, supporting collection security and project management.
• Manages transfer of materials to research centers and offsite storage post-processing, collaborating with partners to ensure proper documentation.

Job description

Job Summary

For more than 125 years, The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of books, information, ideas, and education. With collections numbering more than 56 million items and serving more than 16 million patrons in person each year and millions more online, NYPL’s reach is both local and global. Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities.

At our world-class research centers–including the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Library for the Performing Arts, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture–expert staff facilitate the work of our diverse communities, offering inspiring reading rooms, programs, exhibitions, fellowships, and a dynamic range of research services. Their work is supported by dedicated staff on the Collections and Research Services teams. We are proud to be the most public and widely used research library in the world.

Collections and Research Services encompasses several departments focused on managing the ongoing development of our exceptional research collections, advancing unified discovery and expanding access, both in-person and online, and ensuring stewardship of the collections at every stage of their lifecycle.

The Library Services Center (LSC) Collection Manager, based at the NYPL’s technical services facility in Long Island City, Queens, arranges special collections acquisition logistics, working with NYPL staff, dealers, donors, and shippers to manage packing and shipping projects and addresses any preservation issues in received materials. The position oversees collection care, control, and storage for materials stored at LSC during processing, treatment, and digitization, leading preventive conservation activities and working closely with Facilities staff to protect collections and remediate issues. The Collection Manager coordinates with research center collection managers and others to transfer collections to research centers and offsite storage facilities.

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month

• Become familiar with all LSC spaces and departments
• Establish working partnerships with Special Collections Processing Services and other Collections & Research units, Curatorial units, Procurement, Facilities and other staff
• Become familiar with current acquisitions projects and learn all NYPL Procurement processes to assume site visits, packing and shipping soon after onboarding
• Oversee all transfers of processed collections to storage in research centers and offsite storage

3 months

• Be fully responsible for all special collections acquisition logistics, including site visits, packing planning, procurement, and preservation interventions
• Conduct monthly LSC Collection Manager and Facilities meeting to address environmental issues

6 months and beyond

• Collaborate with Senior Manager, Special Collections Acquisitions and Manager, Archival Accessioning to align acquisitions, logistics, and accessioning workflows
• Begin collaborations with Facilities to address prioritized environmental improvements
• Identify locations within LSC where storage can be improved

Responsibilities

• Manages special collections acquisitions logistics for multiple projects simultaneously, overseeing preservation and custody control, collaborating closely with the Senior Manager, Special Collections Acquisitions and the Manager, Archival Accessioning. Conducts site visits, develops plan, requests quotes, arranges POs, and manages packing and shipping services for acquisitions ranging from small local pick-ups to large high-profile collections from domestic and international sites
• Collaborates with and teaches cross-functional partners regarding preservation issues in new acquisitions and guides decision‑making around potential remediation strategies prior to processing
• Oversees appropriate storage, movement, and tracking of special collections materials at LSC, supporting collection security and project management
• Manages transfer of materials to research centers and offsite storage post‑processing. Collaborates with various partners including other Collection Managers, Conservation, and Special Collections Processing Services to affirm newly housed and processed material before it is delivered to the research centers. Ensures all collection material is adequately documented and tracked in accordance with internal standards
• Deploys specialized preventive conservation knowledge and liaises with Facilities, Security, and Capital Planning staff to maintain an appropriate environment for special collections
• Coordinates collections emergency preparedness activities at LSC, serves on the cross‑center collection emergency response team and leads that team when required
• Performs other related duties as required