Assistant Museum Librarian, Library Systems at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Job Title: Assistant Museum Librarian, Library Systems

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $74,000- $78,000

About The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from around the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. The Museum lives in two iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Cloisters. Millions of people also take part in The Met experience online.

Since its founding in 1870, The Met has always aspired to be more than a treasury of rare and beautiful objects. We are committed to fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment with a staff as diverse as the audiences we engage. Our staff members are art lovers who are passionate about working toward a common goal: creating the most dynamic and inspiring art museum in the world.

At The Met, every staff member – from security officers to researchers to scientists and beyond – lives by our core values of respect, inclusivity, collaboration, excellence, and integrity.

Respect: Engage one another with collegiality, empathy, and kindness, always.

Inclusivity: Ensure that all are and feel welcome and valued.

Collaboration: Reach across boundaries to exchange ideas and work together toward our shared mission.

Excellence: Lead the cultural world in quality and expertise—and inspire curiosity and creativity.

Integrity: Hold ourselves to the highest moral standards, admit when we fall short, and then evolve.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

You will play a key role in supporting the day-to-day systems and technology work of Watson Library. Basic responsibilities include working with the Systems Team to support the integrated library system, the online catalog, library hardware and software, and their use by library staff, museum staff, and visiting researchers. You will work with the Digitization Team to manage digital collections and imaging equipment; with Technical Services staff to ensure the most efficient use of the library system for ordering, receiving, and cataloging of research material; and with Reader Services to assist library researchers. You will play an active role in the design and development of all public-facing elements of Watson Library’s online presence. You will also work with the departments of Digital Media and Information Systems and Technology to coordinate and continuously improve library systems and service.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

  • Assists with the maintenance and development of the library ILS (Innovative’s Sierra) online catalog, Watsonline, and e-resources discovery layer (OCLC Worldshare); serves as a contact with the vendor; coordinates with the library systems team for installing new releases, troubleshooting, and documentation.
  • Compiles reports with comprehensive data visualizations derived from library statistics to provide insights into library usage.
  • Applies web design skills to the continuous development of the library’s online presence.
  • Collaborates with library staff and vendors to identify, format, and coordinate the batch loading of bibliographic, order, invoice, and authority data and records into the library system.
  • Works closely with vendors providing MARC records, authorities processing, cataloging services, digital repositories, and interlibrary loan systems; monitors, ensures optimal performance and resolves technical support issues when appropriate.
  • Assists with staff training on all upgrades and enhancements and their implications for improving access, workflows, and processes; assesses the value of new software and features.
  • Manages CONTENTdm workflows and monitors vendor performance; conducts quality control; provides enhanced metadata in the appropriate schema.
  • Assists in identifying short and long-term library technology needs and opportunities and exploring the innovative use of emerging information and web technologies.
  • Supports maintenance of public and staff scanners and ensures their ongoing effective use.
  • Provides public service at the Watson Library Research Assistance Desk (including 3-4 weekend shifts per year required).
  • Trains and supervises interns and work study students.
  • Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

  • M.L.S. required.
  • Two or more years library experience required.
  • Experience using an integrated library system required; Sierra experience a plus.
  • Knowledge and experience working with content management systems required; CONTENTdm, TMS, and Sitecore experience a plus.
  • Knowledge of art history and/or related fields required.
  • Understanding of the MARC record; familiarity with metadata standards and formats for library systems required.
  • Experience developing and administering web-based solutions using CSS, HTML, XML, APIs, and related technologies.
  • Aptitude for acquiring new skills relevant to library systems required.
  • Strong service orientation and awareness of end user needs as related to library systems and web platforms required.
  • Ability to work effectively, both collaboratively and independently, in a service-driven environment required.
  • Ability to do detailed work accurately required.
  • Experience with information visualization tools and graphic design preferred.
  • Project management skills preferred.
  • Knowledge of MARC, EAD, Dublin Core, and other metadata schema and library standards preferred.
  • Knowledge of HTML/CSS, XML/XSL, Microsoft Excel, content management systems, visualization tools such as Power BI/Tableau, web design, and graphic design
  • Strong oral, written and presentation skills and the ability to communicate effectively to both technical and non-technical users required.

COMPENSATION RANGE:

  • Pay Range: $74,000.00 – $78,000.00 / Annually
  • The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role. The advertised pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

Location Requirements
At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within commuting distance of the Museum. “Commuting distance” means that they are located in one of following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania (the “Tri-state and PA” areas), and be able to commute to and from the Museum in a single day.

Benefits Offerings
The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Note: Benefits Offering may differ based on Employee Status.

  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
  • 403(b) basic retirement plan and optional matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
  • Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible Spending Accounts & Health Savings Account (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)
  • Commuter benefits (pre-tax income for parking or mass transit expenses)
  • Free financial-planning services
  • Financial assistance for relevant coursework, seminars, and training programs
  • 25% discount for staff in Museum shops
  • A subsidized staff cafeteria
  • Access to the Museums Council pass, which grants free admission to various museums and cultural institutions

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Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

The Met is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, The Met will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact benefits@metmuseum.org.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.