The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts houses one of the world’s most extensive combinations of circulating, reference, and rare archival collections in its field.  An essential resource for everyone with an interest in the arts—whether professional or amateur—the Library is known particularly for its prodigious collections of non-book materials such as historic recordings, videotapes, autograph manuscripts, correspondence, sheet music, stage designs, press clippings, programs, posters and photographs.

Principal Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Curator, the Audio/Visual Specialist will assist the Curator in managing a major collection devoted to recorded sound (in all formats) and the daily administration of the collections which may include:

• Providing research and reference consultations with individual library users, particularly those using primary resources

• Providing specialized reference service for inquiries related to non-commercial holdings

• Serving on the public reference and special collections desks

• Demonstrated knowledge of the acquisition and processing of archival audio/visual materials including descriptive techniques, preservation best practices, and the provisions necessary for public service, including audio digitization requests and rights management

• Managing all “on demand” audio digitization, including onsite patron requests, remote duplication requests, curatorial requests, and requests for NYPL exhibitions

• Managing all rights related to digitization and distribution requests, working closely with NYPL’s counsel’s office when necessary

• Managing a database for the tracking of acquisitions, location, and basic description of archival collections

• Enhances intellectual control over legacy collections

• Manages the daily work of collection management (the physical collection), its housing, location and organization, and its accessibility to users

• Evaluating first-generation preservation copies of un-playable audio formats

• Working closely with other curatorial units throughout NYPL on developing and maintaining workflows (including the movement of collections) for inventorying, processing, cataloging and preservation of recorded sound collections

• Supervising interns and other occasional staff

• Ability to perform physical requirements including retrieving and moving material weighing up to 40 pounds

• Performing related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree, preferably in library science, audio visual preservation, sound engineering, music technology, or a related field

• 3 years professional employment in a research setting such as a library, university, or archive

• A working knowledge of classical and vernacular musical repertories and the history of recorded sound technologies

• Demonstrated knowledge of the acquisition and processing of archival audio/visual materials including descriptive techniques, preservation best practices, and the provisions necessary for public service, including audio digitization requests and rights management

• Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, oral, and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively with the general public, educators and students, advanced scholars, independent researchers, and a wide variety of staff

• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with lacquer discs and/or cylinder recordings

Work Environment

• Office

• Library stacks

• Public reference desks

Physical Duties

• Ability to perform physical requirements including retrieving and moving material weighing up to 40 pounds

Starting Salary

• USD $51,224.00/Yr

Hours

• 35 hours per week, during library hours

• Evenings and weekends as required

• Schedule subject to change

Union / Non Union

• Local 1930