Special Collections Reference Librarian at New York Academy of Medicine

Position Summary/Overview:

The Special Collections Reference Librarian supports research, scholarship, and public engagement with one of the world’s most distinguished collections in the history of medicine and public health.

Reporting to the Library Director, the Reference Librarian will work closely with the Historical Collections Librarian, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the reading room and public services. Working in a collaborative, team-based environment, the Reference Librarian provides in-depth reference, access, and consultation services. Users include NYAM staff and fellows, as well as students, faculty, clinicians, health professionals, researchers, and the public.

The Reference Librarian supports the Library and Archives’ public service mission, helping to ensure equitable access to collections and deliver user-centered onsite and remote services.

• Provide excellent research support through reference consultations (in person or by mail, email, and phone);
• Help coordinate reading room operations, including scheduling appointments, retrieving, tracking, and reshelving collections;
• Engage researchers, fellows, students, and public audiences with the library’s collections and services through instruction, presentations, class visits, tours, orientation sessions and other outreach activities;
• Create and maintain reference tools, finding aids, research guides, webpages, and tutorials to support discovery and effective use of collections;
• Develop small interpretive physical displays and digital exhibits that highlight the richness of the collections and promote their use;
• Support collection development through the evaluation and recommendation of prospective acquisitions aligned with NYAM’s research and education priorities;
• Compile and maintain service statistics, contribute to reports, and other assessments;
• Contribute to grant proposals and related project activities;
• Collaborate with Library and NYAM staff on cross-departmental initiatives, events, and philanthropic projects;
• Pursue professional development and skills building to meet emerging and ongoing needs of the research community;
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program, or international equivalent in library or information science;
• Minimum of five years of experience providing reference and research services in a library, archives, or similar research environment;
• Experience working with special collections, archives, or primary source materials, including supporting advanced research inquiries;
• Proficiency in instruction, presentations, and outreach activities;
• Proficiency with the creation of research guides, instructional materials, or other tools that support discovery and access;
• Interest in building long-term expertise in the history of medicine and health through sustained engagement with NYAM’s collections, institutional history, and researcher communities;
• Comfortable working in a small, collaborative team environment with flexibility and adaptability;
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills;
• Proficiency working both independently and collaboratively, including projects and cross-departmental initiatives;
• Demonstrated commitment to applying principles of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility in research services, collections stewardship, and public engagement;
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and evolving practices in library, archives, and research services;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Proficiency with Windows computers and familiarity with Microsoft software products (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.). Familiarity with virtual meetings tools (Zoom, Teams, etc.);

• Subject knowledge relevant to the collections, including the history of medicine, public health, medical humanities, or related disciplines;
• Reading proficiency in one or more languages other than English
• Familiarity with collections management, reading room, or archival access systems;
• Experience with digitization, digital collections, or digital exhibits;
• General knowledge of conservation and preservation…