Drue Heinz Curator of Literary and Historical Manuscripts at The Morgan Library & Museum

The Morgan Library & Museum seeks an experienced and dynamic curator or special collections librarian to join the department of Literary and Historical Manuscripts (LHMS). The Drue Heinz Curator will interpret, research, document, and promote the Morgan’s notable collection of primarily handwritten documents spanning more than 500 years, including major collections on prominent writers from the sixteenth through twenty-first centuries. The ideal candidate will demonstrate an ability to develop creative and engaging exhibitions, publications, and programs related to literary history and culture, while also supporting the care, promotion, accessibility, and display of an exceptional manuscript collection, one of the finest in the world.

The department’s holdings are particularly strong in nineteenth- and twentieth-century British and American literature, French literature, and artists’ letters and manuscripts, including material by Jane Austen, Henry David Thoreau, Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens, John Steinbeck, J.D. Salinger, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Edouard Manet, and Beatrix Potter. Collection objects include literary drafts, correspondence, personal papers, historical documents, photographs, and other special collections materials. Archival collections include the business records of the Pierre Matisse Gallery and The Paris Review archives.

The candidate will have specific knowledge of the professional skills of archivists and librarians; complete departmental tasks related to accessioning, cataloging, and collection management; facilitate access to the collection and work with outside researchers; promote the collection to a wide range of audiences; support the care and preservation of the collection, in collaboration with Morgan conservators; collaborate across departments on various projects and initiatives; and supervise part-time and project staff. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Exhibitions, Publications, and Programming

• Conceives and organizes exhibitions of literary and historical manuscripts, writes interpretive text and publications, and participates in the development of educational and promotional materials
• Develops exhibition- and collection-based programs, in partnership with Education and Programming

Collections Stewardship and Scholarly Access

• Catalogs collection items in accordance with national standards and upgrades existing documentation. Assists in the management of cataloging projects
• Conducts collection surveys/inventories; partners with Department Head and Exhibition and Collections Management to implement short- and long-term collection storage strategies
• Participates in the preparation of digital facsimiles of collection material for online presentation and provides written and audiovisual content for social media
• Identifies potential new acquisitions, via purchase or gift, in collaboration with Department Head
• Trains, supervises, and develops projects for interns, and PT staff (in collaboration with Department Head)
• Provides remote and on-site reference services for researchers

External Relations

• Gives lectures, tours, classes, informal talks, interviews, and presentations (in-person and virtually) to groups of members, collectors, benefactors, students, researchers, the press, and the public
• Helps to secure external support for the department, in collaboration with the Department Head and Development staff
• Serves as an ambassador for the Morgan’s manuscript collection on- and off-site, and enthusiastically attends events at the Morgan and in the community with collectors, book dealers, scholars, professional colleagues, the press, and members of the general public

Institutional Service

• Contributes to museum-wide initiatives, as required
• Serves on cross-departmental committees, as required

• ALA-accredited MLS degree and MA or Ph.D. in history, literature, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience (candidates holding a Ph.D. without an MLS degree will be considered)
• Seven to ten years working with manuscript or archival materials in a special collections library, archives, or museum, with a range of experience in areas such as cataloging, processing, reference services, exhibition planning and implementation, and outreach; experience curating exhibitions of special collections material preferred
• Knowledge of standards for cataloging and processing of library collections, including but not limited to MARC and DCRM(MS); experience with Voyager, OCLC Connexion, and TMS
• Familiarity with the care and handling of manuscripts and other rare materials, including knowledge of the preservation needs of archival collections
• Strong liberal arts foundation, especially in Western European and American literature and history
• Interest in nineteenth- and twentieth-century British and American literature preferred
• Reading knowledge of French or another European language
• Superior skills in oral and written communication, as well as organizational skills, accuracy, attention to detail
• Commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in programming, outreach, and collection development
• Commitment to collaboration and teamwork
• Ability to travel for research, colloquia, or courier trips, required
• Project management experience
• Proficiency with the Windows environment (especially Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint), Gmail, and Google Drive
• Demonstrated interest in professional activities
• Ability to interact socially with donors, collectors, and members of the public

$95,000–115,000, commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits.

Please send a cover letter; resumé including language proficiencies, and names of three references, to: manuscriptsjob@themorgan.org