Research Assistant, Digital Curation

Department: Schomburg Administration

Employment Type: Part Time

Location: Schomburg Center

Reporting To: Kimberly Henderson

Compensation: $25.00 / hour

Description

Overview

Founded in 1925 and named a National Historic Landmark in 2017, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is one of the world's leading cultural institutions devoted to the collection, preservation, and study of materials focused on African American, African Diaspora, and African experiences. The Schomburg Center, featuring diverse programming and collections spanning over 10 million items, has for over nine decades illuminated the richness of black history, arts, and experience worldwide. As a key part of one of the largest public library systems in the world, the Schomburg Center is committed to maximizing free and public access to its collections, exhibitions, educational activities, and much of its programming.

Reporting to the Digital Curator, the Research Assistant is responsible for supporting the digital curation efforts as outlined by the Frankenthaler Foundation Digital Curation Initiative Grant: identifying, researching, and preparing summaries for the completion of digital projects. Working independently and in collaboration with the Digital Curator, the Research Assistant will request appointments in the Art & Artifacts and Photographs & Prints research divisions to conduct research; in addition to checking out print materials from our General Research & Reference division as needed.

The candidate will also have the opportunity to work in a creative capacity, supporting the Digital Curator in creating engaging digital content to share on the library's digital platforms (digital exhibitions, blog posts, social media, etc.). The candidate must possess strong written and verbal communication skills and be able to interpret historical materials that center Black and African diasporic cultures.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Digital Curator, the Research Assistant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide written summaries / outlines based on research findings to Digital Curator
• Independently conduct research in the center's Art & Artifacts and Photographs & Prints divisions to support digital projects
• Assist with centennial digital photography project: research photograph collections, CD ROM archives, digital project archives, sourcing visual materials from Schomburg's history
• Complete administrative tasks related to digital projects
• Regularly request and manage research appointments in Aeon and other library systems
• Regularly add entries to the center's Archive-It profile, continuing a previous project to archive Black web content
• As instructed by Digital Curator, format and prepare content for blogs, digital exhibitions, and other digital platforms (social media, 3rd party platforms, etc.)

Required Education, Experience & Skills

Required Education & Certifications

• Undergraduate degree in History/Humanities or related field required
• Specific study area of focus in Black or African Diasporic studies preferred

Required Experience

• IMovie
• Familiarity with / interest in Black/African Diasporic Studies
• Familiarity with any or all of the following software platforms preferred:
• Experience publishing blog posts on digital platforms (wordpress, medium, tumblr, etc.)
• Experience handling special collections materials (or similar cultural objects at an institution)
• Instagram and creative content apps
• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, etc.)
• Drupal 8/9
• Aeon
• Experience researching special collections and archival materials in a library or academic environment

Required Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to interpret historical materials
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others to complete goals
• High proficiency in fact-based, in-depth research practices

More...

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Work Environment

• Public service library
• Core work will take place in the Schomburg Center
• Office setting
• Research Library

Physical Duties

• Minimal physical duties are required

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

No

Union/Non Union

Non-Union

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Schedule

• 10-15 hours a week

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.