Library Assistant

The Museum of Modern Art; New York (NY); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Museum of Modern Art in New York is seeking a Library Assistant in its Archives, Library, and Research Collections Department. Reporting to the Head of Library Services, the role supports reader services, acquisitions, ILL, cataloging, and serials across the library.

The position is based at MoMA QNS in Long Island City with occasional duties at Midtown Manhattan. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree (preferred) with 1–2 years library experience; a Master's is welcome but not required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred with 1–2 years library experience.
• Knowledge of global modern and contemporary art is preferred.
• Familiarity with ILS, circulation, reference services, cataloging, and serials is preferred.
• Experience handling fragile library materials.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and reach high/low shelves.
• Reading knowledge of an additional language is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provides service to Museum staff and Library patrons relating to circulation, reference, and library services.
• Maintains stack areas, performs shelf-reading and shelving duties.
• Supports reference and circulation staff by assisting at the circulation desk.
• Processes library materials with labels after cataloging and coordinates circulation activity in ILS.
• Coordinates interlibrary loan requests for internal and external users.
• Participates in library-related projects and other duties as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Team orientation

Education

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Master's degree welcome

Tools

Integrated Library System (ILS)

Job description

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Library Assistant in its Archives, Library, and Research Collections Department. Reporting to the Head of Library Services, the Library Assistant offers support in the following library functions: reader services, acquisitions, resource sharing/interlibrary loans (ILL), cataloging, and serials.

This position is based at MoMA QNS in Long Island City, with occasional duties at the Museum’s midtown Manhattan location.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Provides service to Museum staff and Library patrons as needed relating to library circulation, reference, and services provided by the Library.
• Maintains stack areas, including assisting with space planning, performing shelf-reading, and troubleshooting any issues that arise within the print collection.
• Supports reference and circulation staff by assisting with shifts at the circulation desk.
• Supports the daily operation of the Library, including handling incoming mail; paging and shelving library materials; checking-in new acquisitions and checking for duplicates; contributing to the development and maintenance of circulation and reference policies and procedures; processing library materials with labels after cataloging; coordinating circulation activity in ILS and sending reminders to Museum staff; processing inter-library loan requests for internal and external users; etc.
• Participates in library-related projects as needed.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with a minimum one to two years library experience, preferably in an academic, research, or special library environment. A master’s degree in library or information science is welcome but not required.
• Knowledge of global modern and contemporary art is preferred.
• Familiarity with integrated library systems, circulation functions, reference services, handling special collections, copy cataloging, and a general understanding of library classification systems preferred.
• Experience handling fragile library materials.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in the areas of collection handling, transporting, and shelving.
• Demonstrates outstanding team orientation and flexibility. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills. Detail oriented with ability to organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Ability to collaboratively manage long-term projects in a continually evolving environment.
• Ability to deal effectively and pleasantly with museum staff and library patrons.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds and to reach high and low shelves.
• Reading knowledge of a language, in addition to English, is desirable.

Salary: The salary for this position is currently $64,023 per annum

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”).

This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.