Special Collections Catalog Librarian

The Mertz Library of The New York Botanical Garden collects and preserves works of merit in botany, horticulture, and landscape design. The skilled staff of the Mertz Library serve as an invaluable resource by providing high-quality resources and services to meet the needs of the Garden's research staff, botanists, horticulturists, and graduate students as well as scientific, scholarly, and artistic communities worldwide.  The Library is open to the public and supports diverse research, instructional, and outreach programs and develops strategic partnerships that advance research and promote new methods of providing access to an ever-expanding variety of information resources.

Additionally, this position supports, through actions and conduct, NYBG’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiatives and helps to build and maintain an inclusive organization culture throughout the institution.

Basic Job Functions

Perform original and complex copy cataloging, including descriptive and subject cataloging and authority work, for diverse collections of materials such as books and journals, art and illustration, photographs, maps, born-digital items, and archival collections. Work with other library staff to establish cataloging priorities and projects for special collections materials. 

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Develops and implements workflows, policies, and procedures to catalog efficiently and effectively incoming and backlog special collections materials.
• Perform original and complex copy cataloging for special collections projects, as well as assist with cataloging the regular new acquisition workflow made up of materials in multiple formats, languages, and time periods.
• Helps maintain the library’s ERMS with current links, IP addressees, proxy URL, vendor contacts and logins. Initiate SUSHI protocols where available, collect use statistics; maintain the library holdings in the knowledge-base for OCLC Worldcat Discovery service.
• Create and maintain high quality descriptive metadata for library materials in all formats, including print and digital collections and electronic resources. Keep abreast of current relevant metadata standards and schemas.
• Perform functions as needed related to the Mertz Library’s participation in the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), a digital library.
• Serve as project manager for grant-funded special collections cataloging projects, and oversee temporary grant-funded staff if applicable.
• Stay current with national and international trends in bibliographic control and cataloging standards, especially as they relate to special collections materials.
• Assist in maintaining the quality and integrity of the library catalog with ongoing maintenance and by resolving problems to ensure bibliographic, holdings, and authority records meet local and national standards.
• Works on the reference desk assisting patrons to locate materials, as needed.
• Serves on library and NYBG committees and performs other duties as assigned.
• Continue the Library’s commitment to NACO by contributing new name authority records to the NAF, and participating in NACO training as necessary.

 Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an ALA accredited library science program.
• Experience in a research library environment, including at least three years of experience in MARC cataloging, preferably with rare materials, manuscripts, art, and/or other non-print collections.
• Experience with OCLC Connexion and a library ILS such as Innovative Interfaces Sierra.
• Knowledge of resource description data standards including but not limited to: RDA, AACR2, LCSH, LC Classification, NACO, DCRM, CONSER, and MARC. Familiarity with other non-MARC standards such as EAD, Dublin Core, and MODS. Understanding of authority control and familiarity with tools used for controlled vocabularies.
• Awareness of emerging best practices related to BIBFRAME, linked open data, and other non-MARC metadata formats.
• Reading knowledge of one or more foreign languages, and comfort and willingness to work on non-English materials using translation tools and resources.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as analytical, time-management and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent project management skills, and willingness to take a leadership role in cataloging projects and decisions.
• Flexibility and adaptability, willingness to embrace change and create innovative solutions in resource description.
• Archival collections processing experience, and/or experience with non-MARC metadata creation, and/or art history background a plus.

Benefits:

• 15 Vacation Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 12 Sick Days
• Health and Dental Insurance Coverage
• 401K
• Pension Plan

Salary: $65,000

 If you require an accommodation for any part of the application process, please notify the Human Resources department at HR@nybg.org. 

If you are interested in applying for a position at the New York Botanical Garden, please go to http://www.nybg.org/employment to submit your application.

EOE/BIPOC/F/Persons with disabilities/Veterans