Metropolitan New York Library Council is hiring: Senior Manager, Rare Materials

Senior Manager, Rare Materials Cataloging at New York Public Library

Posted: October 16, 2025 • Full Time • In Person • $105,000 – 115,000 Yearly • Long Island City, New York

Overview

The New York Public Library’s (NYPL) Special Collections Processing (SCP) department seeks a proven and collaborative Senior Manager for Rare Materials Cataloging. This role will strengthen and expand operations devoted to rare and special format materials, providing vision, leadership, and oversight for the cataloging and description of materials held by the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Library for the Performing Arts.

The Senior Manager will ensure accurate bibliographic description of rare books, manuscripts, broadsides, pamphlets, serials, maps, photographs, prints, illustrations, designs, artwork, three‑dimensional models, realia, audio and moving images, and related items. Responsibilities include setting standards, developing workflow documentation, coordinating metadata enhancement, performing complex cataloging, supervising staff, training catalogers, and drafting the NYPL Special Collections Cataloging Manual.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and manage unit workflows and cataloging project queues based on collection priorities and institutional goals.
• Supervise and train professional and paraprofessional staff, providing guidance on cataloging workflows, standards, and project priorities.
• Perform and oversee original and complex copy cataloging, review catalog records for accuracy, and manage the creation and verification of authority records.
• Contribute to the development, documentation, and standardization of NYPL cataloging best practices while staying current with linked data and technical services trends.
• Collect and report cataloging statistics and support resource, cost, and capacity planning by estimating staff effort for acquisitions and project workflows.
• Propose and implement approved changes to team structure to support institutional goals and represent NYPL at conferences or collaborative projects related to special collections description.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• ALA‑accredited MLS / MLIS or advanced degree with relevant, substantial research library experience in special collections.

Required Experience

• 7+ years of successful professional experience in cataloging special collection material.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience of professionals and paraprofessionals in the cataloging of special collections materials.
• Subject matter expert or relevant experience with the histories, preservation, and description of rare and unique materials across formats.
• 2 or more years of experience as an independent contributor for personal, corporate, and jurisdictional names, along with uniform titles, to the LC/ NACO Authority File.
• Experience working in a shared cataloging environment (e.g. OCLC) and/or a local cataloging database (a proprietary or open source ILS, e.g. Sierra).
• Experience creating metadata cross‑walks and migrating metadata between systems.
• Training or experience in preservation and collections documentation, such as participation in workshops, courses, or practical application in professional settings.
• Experience working collaboratively with varied groups in a complex organization.

Required Skills

• Experience managing complex collections description projects, coordinating staff, timelines, workflows, and resources to meet institutional goals.
• Strong original cataloging skills, particularly for visual materials at the item and collection level, with experience using cataloging tools, utilities, and standards such as RDA, AACR2, DCRM, MARC, LCSH, LC/NAF, AAT, TGM, OCLC Connexion, RDA Toolkit, and DACS.
• Proven research, analytical, organizational, planning, and time‑management skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, attention to detail, judgment, project management, and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate with a diverse community.
• Ability to work with materials in one or more languages in addition to English (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese, Spanish, etc.).
• Awareness of emerging trends in the fields of cataloging, metadata, and linked data.
• Experience with technical and metadata tools including MARCEdit and XML.
• Familiarity with ArchivesSpace and BIBFRAME.

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversees a team of 8 direct reports, including 2 non‑union managers.

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.

Physical Duties

• Ability to move book trucks and handle materials up to 40 lbs.
• Requires travel within NYC.

Pre‑Placement

Physical Required? No

Union/Non‑Union

Non‑Union

FLSA Status

Exempt

Schedule

35 hours/week, M‑F, onsite

Job duties are subject to change. Employees may be directed to perform job‑related tasks as needed.

Salary Statement

NYPL believes in pay transparency and equity. Salary is determined by a range of factors, including position requirements, skills, experience, education, internal peer equity, and the candidate’s specific training and experience. Union salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreements.

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming, and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars.