Reference Librarian

JOB TITLE: Reference Librarian

DEPARTMENT: Library

REPORTS TO: Director of Library Curatorial Affairs & Research

New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the Reiss Family Graduate Institute for Constitutional History, the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better.

The Patricia D. Klingenstein Library at the New York Historical is one of the oldest independent research libraries in the United States. Its extensive collections, dating from the sixteenth century to the present, offer unique insights into the history of New York and the nation. Researchers access the Library’s manuscripts and archival collections; books, newspapers, maps, and broadsides; prints, photographs, and architectural drawings, onsite and remotely.

Working in a collaborative, team environment, the Reference Librarian provides in-depth assistance onsite and remotely to The New York Historical staff, research fellows, and external researchers: conducts virtual reference interviews and sets up research appointments; retrieves, tracks, and reshelves collections. The Reference Librarian also introduces groups to the library’s collections and services through presentations and classes; describes and promotes collections through blog posts, social media, and small displays in the reading room; works closely with colleagues in the education, communications, and curatorial departments; contributes to library and institutional initiatives and projects; and will engage in other duties as assigned. This is a full-time position under the collective bargaining agreement with UAW, Local 2110 union position; candidates must belong to union or be willing to join.

The employee will retrieve, transport, and re-shelve library collections of varying size and weight, alone and in conjunction with co-workers. Library carts and special carriers are used to transport all collections except for small and lightweight items which are carried by hand. The employee will walk and climbs steps throughout the day.