Head of Library Services

The Museum of Modern Art

New York (NY)

On-site

USD 95,000 - 115,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A renowned art institution in New York is seeking a Head of Library Services. This individual will lead collection management, develop library services, and manage staff to ensure exceptional support for researchers. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in library services, strong management skills, and a commitment to user-centered practices. The position offers a salary range of $95,000 to $115,000 per year.

Qualifications

Minimum 7-10 years of experience in a research library.
Commitment to user-centered library services.
Leadership experience in directing operations.

Responsibilities

Provide oversight for reference and collection management.
Manage reader services and staffing.
Direct acquisitions and oversee collection development.

Skills

Dynamic, collaborative skills

Strong staff management

Problem-solving

Expert level experience with databases

Reading knowledge of additional languages

Education

ALA accredited MLIS

Subject master’s degree in art history

Tools

Arts and humanities databases

Automated library systems

Job description

Join to apply for the Head of Library Services role at The Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art Library (MoMA), as one of the world’s leading art research libraries, is a comprehensive collection devoted to modern and contemporary art. The non-circulating collection documents painting, sculpture, drawings, prints, photography, architecture, design, performance, video, film, and emerging art forms from 1880 to the present (from 1830 for photography). The Library’s holdings include over 400,000 books and exhibition catalogs, 15,000 artists' books, 5,000 periodical titles, and over 90,000 files of ephemera about individual artists and groups. The Library is a founding member of the New York Art Resources Consortium (NYARC).

Position summary:

MoMA is currently recruiting for a Head of Library Services to lead collection development and management, and service-related activities at the MoMA Library. Specific areas of responsibilities include managing reference, acquisitions, circulation, preservation, and overall use of and access to the Library’s collection. Directly manages, at both the day-to-day and strategic levels, a team of professionals and paraprofessionals. Develops, mentors, and grows a highly customer-service oriented, responsive, and professional staff through both modeling and performance development. Periodically assesses and surveys Museum staff and public researchers and then develops and delivers new library services in response to those needs. Reporting to the chief of ALRC, serves as one of three senior staff in the department, working closely with the head of Archives Services and the head of Metadata and Systems, in a collaborative environment to insure the continued excellence and innovation in a renowned center for art research and scholarship. As a key member of the ALRC management team, closely partners with the chief of Archives, Library, and Research Collections in short and long-term strategic planning, and proactively assesses current library services and needs, researches best practices, and makes recommendations to the chief to ensure the highest caliber program.

Responsibilities:

Provides vision, oversight, and coordination for reference, collection management, and outreach, including recommending best practices and evaluating and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of trends and new ideas in information science management.
Manages reader services for Museum staff and public researchers, as well as staffing the reference desk, in order to provide the best scholarly and customer service.
Provides oversight of all collection management functions, including circulation, interlibrary loan, and space planning.
Establishes assessment and benchmarking needs for the Library, with data analysis and statistics related to library collection usage and visitor data, and prepares and evaluates related reports.
Leads strategic effort to analyze and assess overall collection strengths, needs, priorities, and goals in relation to available resources.
Develops and updates a collection development policy in consultation with curators and colleagues across the Museum to conscientiously and strategically build the collection.
Directs acquisitions activities.
Oversees the development of and procedures for physical and electronic collection access, preservation and conservation to provide excellent and efficient service while safeguarding materials.
Ensures effective stewardship of the materials budgets, including routine monitoring of acquisition and preservation budgets.
Continuously evaluates publication trends in art history and visual culture to remain abreast of how new developments may impact the field.
Actively promotes the Library locally and globally to build awareness and develops strategies to increase use through presentations at seminars, professional associations, etc.
Is fluent in current technologies and plans for their long term evolution and new developments.
Leads recruitment efforts for select open positions and makes hiring decisions for staff vacancies, internships, and library fellows. Develops, mentors, and manages staff on an ongoing basis to ensure the highest levels of customer service. Ensures compliance with and comprehension of Museum policies and relevant collective bargaining agreement and ensures staffs’ comprehension of those policies. Conducts annual performance reviews with direct staff, and manages the constructive discipline process, as warranted.
Liaises with other departments.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

ALA accredited MLIS and subject master’s degree in art history, or equivalent.
Minimum seven to 10 years previous professional experience in a research library, with responsibility for reference and collection development, managing staff, and in positions of increasing responsibility.
Demonstrated commitment to user-centered library services.
Reading knowledge of one or more language(s) in addition to English.

Skills/Core Competencies:

Dynamic, collaborative, experienced librarian and strong people manager.
Demonstrated experience in providing leadership, directing operations, and working collaboratively to build successful programs.
Strong staff management and communication skills. Demonstrated experience in building out a library team to align with best practices.
Proactive and creative approach to problem solving and workflow issues.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with library stakeholders, including Museum staff and volunteers, collectors, donors, funders, artists, and independent researchers.
Subject expertise in modern and contemporary art; in-depth knowledge of the field of artists’ books.
Expert level experience with arts and humanities databases, digital research tools, and automated library systems.
Ongoing awareness of current issues and trends in library and information science relevant to art libraries, including emerging technologies and scholarly communications. Well versed in best practices.
Experience with budget forecasting and funds management.
Active engagement in appropriate local, national, and international professional organizations, such as ARLIS, RBMS, ALA, IFLA.

Supervises: Cisneros Bibliographer for Art of Latin America, Senior Library and Library Assistants, Fellows, and Interns

Reports to: Chief of Archives, Library, and Research Collections

Salary range: Minimum of $95,000 to maximum of $115,000 per annum

Application instructions: To apply, please visit MoMA Jobs. Applicants should submit a resume and a statement of interest. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

Equal Opportunity Employer