Director of Library & Archives, Brooklyn Historical Society

REOPENED SEARCH
(September 23, 2011)

Brooklyn Historical Society invites applications for the position of Director of Library & Archives. The position reports to BHS’ President and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of BHS’ library and archives program. The Director of Library & Archives supervises library and collections staff, including the Special Collection Librarian and Photographic Archivist and various grant-funded full and part time staff. The successful candidate will be a creative, experienced and forward-looking librarian dedicated to serving a diverse range of patrons and supporting BHS mission to connect the past to the present and make the vibrant history of Brooklyn tangible, relevant and meaningful for today's diverse communities, and for generations to come.

The Director is responsible for providing leadership, vision, planning and management for the library, including overseeing staff; developing and maintaining budgets, policies and procedures; planning and managing grant-funded projects; and developing long-range priorities for collection development, management, preservation, and access to the library and archives. The position plays a key role in the senior staff of the larger institution, participating in institutional planning; working with the Director of Development to identify funding opportunities and write grants; and collaborating with education, exhibition and oral history staff on integrating library and archives work with the activities of the institution.

Required Qualifications:

* Masters in Library and Information Science, or equivalent degree, with a specialization in archival studies or special collections.
* Minimum of four years successful experience in special collections and/or archives
* Evidence of effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
* Flexibility in adapting to organizational change and growth and to ever-changing technological environments
* Evidence of strong leadership, budgeting, project management and organizational skills.
* Strong customer service orientation, with a commitment to serving a diverse patron base.
* Supervisory experience; demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and collaboration.
* Demonstrable experience in seeking and administering grant funding
* Experience in soliciting, acquiring, organizing, and maintaining collections
* Knowledge of current practices related to the identification, access, control, organization and digitization of primary source materials, including metadata schemas, digital processes and trends in delivering collections electronically
* Computer/technology competence; aptitude for learning and applying new technologies and information tools to library operations

Preferred qualifications:

* Advanced degree in History, American Studies, or relevant academic field.
* Experience working in a museum setting or in supporting exhibit development and design
* Experience with records management in print and electronic formats
* Experience with WordPress content management system
* Experience with Archivists’ Toolkit
* Knowledge of preservation issues and best practices

Salary: $75,000 - $80,000 annual salary with full benefits including medical and dental.

To Apply: Please send resume, cover letter, salary requirements, and contact information for three references to Deborah Schwartz, President, at apply@brooklynhistory.org. Subject line of the email should read: Library Director Application [your last name]. No phone inquiries, please.

Applications received by October 20, 2011 will be given preference, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Brooklyn Historical Society is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

The Brooklyn Historical Society is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, the presence of any mental, physical, or sensory disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by federal or state law