Specialist II - Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division, Schomburg Center

Application Deadline: 3 August 2026

About the role

Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world’s leading cultural institutions devoted to the collection, preservation, and interpretation of materials focused on African American, African, and African Diaspora experiences. The Center features diverse programming and a collection of over 11 million items that illuminate the richness of global Black history and culture. A research library of The New York Public Library and seeded by the collection of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, the Schomburg Center provides free access to materials documenting Black life locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division (MIRS, pronounced “meers”) collects and preserves audio and moving image (AMI) materials related to the experiences of people of African descent. The division has amassed approximately 400 collections, nearly 5,000 square feet, in a variety of formats, which captures the gestures and sounds of major historical, artistic, and cultural figures and moments. While the strength is the Black American holdings, there is considerable Caribbean and African representation in the collection.

MIRS seeks a detail-oriented and organized Specialist II who will be responsible for assisting with the Division’s reference and collection support. The specialist interfaces with the public and the research community while offering support to other divisions at the Schomburg Center. In addition to the public-facing services, the specialist will provide collection maintenance support to the division and assist its Curator with exhibitions at the Schomburg Center, New York Public Library, and other venues.

Responsibilities

• Provide public service and collection support for the MIRS Division and respond to reference questions via email, phone, and in-person from researchers, scholars, and staff
• Participate in outreach activities such as class visits and group presentations
• Provide support to the division with updating collection documentation and reference services including policies and procedures, special projects, exhibitions, and related programming
• Update and create content for web pages, LibGuides, and training materials
• Serve on relevant committees, task forces, and working groups that are related to professional responsibilities
• Collaborate with public and technical services units within the Research Libraries (such as Special Collections Processing and Audio and Moving Image Preservation) at the New York Public Library to create a unified patron experience
• Maintain a personal program of continuous education and professional development
• Support the Schomburg Center’s research divisions to ensure patron access to collection materials held throughout the various reading rooms
• Perform other related duties as required

Requirements

• ALA accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies or Master’s degree in liberal arts or humanities and successful completion of archival and audiovisual training
• Experience providing reference service in a research setting, such as a library, university, or archive
• Experience handling and providing access to various AMI formats
• Subject area expertise in any of the following: African American History/Studies/Literature, Africana Studies, Diaspora or Cultural Studies

Skills

• Ability to both work independently and collaboratively, establishing and maintaining working relationships with staff, researchers, other organizations, and professionals in the field
• Strong experience and knowledge of online catalogs, integrated library systems, databases, and reference and information resources
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, time management, and verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of AMI, archival, and library standards (MARC, RDA, LCSH, LCCN, DACS, IASA Cataloguing Rules, and EBUCore Metadata Set)
• Familiarity with Aeon or other special collections workflow management software
• Strong attention to detail with ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment to meet planned goals
• Demonstrated digital literacy skills

Core Values

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Office setting
• Public library setting

Physical Duties

• Lifting up to 40 lbs. required
• May require travel within NYC
• Must be able to position oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and use step ladder or climb tall ladders

Pay

$70,393 / year

Schedule

35 hours per week onsite, Monday - Friday, and occasional Saturdays as required, 10am to 6pm