The Newark Museum of Art is hiring: Assistant Librarian & Archivist (part-time)

Job Description | Assistant Librarian & Archivist (part-time)

Department | Library & Archives

Reporting Relationship | Librarian & Archivist Emeritus

About The Newark Museum of Art:

We acknowledge the traditional homelands of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware, upon which The Newark Museum of Art resides.

Founded in 1909 and located in New Jersey, The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) is the state's largest museum and ranks twelfth nationally in terms of collection size. Global and diasporic, the collection includes more than 130,000 artworks, as well as significant holdings of science and natural history. From the ancient world to the art of today, NMOA boasts exceptional quality and depth in the Arts of Global Africa; Arts of Global Asia, featuring a renown Tibetan collection and Buddhist altar; Arts of the Americas, with particular strength in Native American art; Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean, and Decorative Arts.

Visitor-and community-centered, NMOA responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse publics it serves by offering exhibitions, programming, a research library, paid internships, and local and global partnerships. A four-acre campus includes the National Historic Landmark Ballantine House (1885); the Ward Carriage House (1860); the Old Stone School House (1784); the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden; and Horizon Plaza. Under the leadership of Director and CEO, Linda C. Harrison, NMOA has launched an era of transformation to create an engaged citizenry by reimagining the role of the art museum for the 21st century.

The Newark Museum of Art welcomes everyone with inclusive experiences that spark curiosity and foster community.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Librarian & Archivist is responsible for special projects primarily relating to the Museum Archives. The library is a collection of approximately 50,000 titles and 60,000 volumes of books, periodicals, and audio- and visual recordings on the fine arts, decorative arts, and natural sciences. The Archives comprise more than 3,000 linear feet of historical records documenting past exhibitions, educational activities, and administrative duties of the institution.

Work Schedule: The Assistant Librarian/Archivist will work two to three days a week for seven hours a day, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The primary responsibility of the Assistant Librarian & Archivist is to manage the arrangement, description, and preservation of archival collections. In particular, at this time, the Assistant Librarian & Archivist will concentrate on the archival photographs of the institution, especially those relating to past exhibitions, and the historical photographs of Newark and New Jersey. Secondarily, the Assistant Librarian & Archivist will also assist with the acquisition, organization, and preservation of library materials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Arrange archival collections, according to the most appropriate system (chronically, alphabetically, geographically, as suitable).
• Write and/or update finding aids, based on internal or external research as needed.
• Rehouse archival materials in appropriate containers; ensure the proper care and handling of archival materials; etc...
• Answer the questions of curators, educators, and other staff members, as well as docents and visitors, either in person, over the telephone, or by letter, fax, or email, as those questions relate to the use of archival materials.
• Assist the Librarian & Archivist Emeritus as needed with other duties relating to the Library and Archives.
• Work with the registrars, curators, and exhibition designers as needed on related issues dealing with the Archives

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• A master’s degree in Library Science or archival management is required.
• One or two years of experience as a para-professional or professional in a library or an archives is preferred.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills are essential. A commitment to public service is absolutely necessary.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time, move about, and access and operate equipment.
• The ability to receive and communicate information and instructions so others will understand.
• Ability to lift and move, up to fifteen (15) pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are to be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Rate/Salary: $30 hourly

The Newark Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Upholding this commitment, we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, placement, transfer, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, and termination.

We are dedicated to embedding the principles of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) in all aspects of our work and organizational culture. In undertaking this work, the Museum is committed to anti-racism–conscious efforts and deliberate actions intended to create equal opportunities for all on both an individual and systemic level. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as BIPOC, veterans, LGBTQIA+, and those with disabilities, as they play a pivotal role in our mission. More information on the Newark Museum of Art’s commitment to DEAI can be found here.

The Newark Museum of Art is dedicated to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As an integral part of this commitment, we ensure that employees and applicants with disabilities have access to reasonable accommodation. For inquiries regarding reasonable accommodation, please contact accessibility@newarkmuseumart.org.

Due to the potential high volume of submissions, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.