READING ROOM MANAGER
Position Overview:
The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation is looking to hire a full-time (4 days-a-week) Reading Room Manager. This position joins a team of archivists dedicated to the management of the Foundation’s archival collections and to facilitate researcher and staff access. Under the guidance of the Head Archivist, the Reading Room Manager provides reference desk duties and is responsible for scheduling visitors, organizing archival deliveries to off-site staff, answering questions, organizing, and retrieving materials. The position is also responsible for some administrative tasks like opening/closing the office and coordinating with building management on various issues. This position will work closely with on-site archivists and all staff of the Foundation.
Other responsibilities may include assisting archivists with processing duties of the Foundation’s over 500-linear foot collection. The position will require coordination with the staff of the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art and our digitization vendors. Further responsibilities include assistance on various exhibition, publication, and research projects.
As the Foundation has announced its eventual sunset, the lifespan of this position is expected to run 1 to 3 years.
About the Foundation:
The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation was chartered as a Private Operating Foundation in 1998, primarily to facilitate public access to the work of Roy Lichtenstein and the art and artists of his time; to create a catalogue raisonné of all known Lichtenstein works; and to share information which could assist the development and education of the next generation of curators, critics and scholars concerning the artist Roy Lichtenstein.
In 2018 the Foundation announced the launch of two comprehensive, long-term collaborations: the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, and the Smithsonian Institution Archives of American Art, Washington, DC, aimed at facilitating public access to the art and history of Roy Lichtenstein as to the art of mid-to-late twentieth century art.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Responsible for opening and closing the reading room 4 days-a-week
- Provide reference services on all internal and external requests for access to the foundation’s archival collections
- Coordinate scheduling with staff and outside visitors
- Organize and oversee archival deliveries
- Coordinate with Foundation’s Senior Office Administrator on supplies, deliveries, and other admin responsibilities
- Assist Head Archivist on general issues related to the facility and building
- Responsible for opening/closing of office, and other administrative/office issues
- Coordinate with third-party vendors’ access to the facility
- Assist in research projects related to the archival collections
- Assist and oversee occasional processing projects from the archive
- Assist with newly accessioned archival objects and library materials
- Identify conservation concerns and perform basic preservation practices
- Coordinate with archivists, digitization contractors and other third-party vendors on the various stages of digitizing the collection (to begin in 2023)
- Other assigned duties as required
Qualifications:
- Master of Library and Information Sciences or Archival Studies from an ALA-accredited institution
- Work experience in a special collection’s library reading room, study center, or relevant experience
- Minimum five years of related archival experience
- Practical knowledge of archival theory and best practices
- Familiarity of 20th and 21st century art history, as well as of museum archival records and artists’ archives
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines, as well as manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively across an inter-departmental and institutional structure (with Foundation and Estate employees)
- Responsible for using and maintaining dynamic database and library collections management systems, and a basic understanding of Microsoft Office Suite
- Familiarity of legal and ethical issues related to privacy and records restrictions
- Ability to lift materials weighing up to 30lbs
- Demonstrate a commitment to continued professional growth and development
Compensation:
This is a full-time position, four days-a-week. The Foundation has a competitive pay scale with excellent benefits.
Salary 70-75k commensurate with experience.
Work Environment:
The Archive and Library is in Chelsea, New York City.
To apply:
Starting Date: June 1st (or sooner if available). Open until filled. If interested, please email a resume, cover letter and two references. Include the position title in the subject line and email: archives@lichtensteinfoundation.org.