Job Announcement: Reference Services and Outreach Librarian, New York Academy of Medicine
Reference Services and Outreach Librarian
New York Academy of Medicine
http://nyam.org/about/careers/reference-services-and-outreach-librarian/
Summary and Description
The Reference Services and Outreach Librarian will be responsible for providing reference services for the Library and coordinating the outreach efforts of the library, particularly its social media presence.
Duties and Responsibilities
* Provides reference support to users of the library
* Collaborates with colleagues in the delivery of public services
* Facilitates the use of databases and resources available in the Library, especially PubMed
* Coordinates the social media presence of the Library across multiple platforms
* Maintains, edits, and writes for the Library blog
* Liaises with other Library and Academy colleagues to coordinate outreach activities
* Maintains and updates Library’s website information.
* Takes part in other special projects as required.
Qualifications
* Familiarity with the databases and other reference tools necessary to answer a wide variety of questions related to the history of public health, health policy, and medicine; experience with PubMed is strongly preferred
* Experience using social media
* Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner
* Strong editing skills
* Experience engaging with diverse audiences, including students, professionals, and the interested public
* Demonstrated commitment to public service
* Physical ability to undertake collection management duties such as movement of books and materials weighing up to 40 lbs., and work in sometimes dusty environments.
* Familiarity with medical terminology
Education
* MLS from an ALA-accredited institution is required
* At least 2-3 years reference experience in a special collections or health sciences library
* Preference will be shown to candidates with working knowledge of one or more major European languages
To Apply
Please forward cover letter and resume to hr@nyam.org<mailto:hr@nyam.org?subject=Director%20of%20Development>. Please include Reference Services and Outreach Librarian in the subject line of the email.
About the Academy
The New York Academy of Medicine advances solutions that promote the health and well-being of people in cities worldwide.
Established in 1847, The New York Academy of Medicine continues to address the health challenges facing New York City and the world’s rapidly growing urban populations. We accomplish this through our Institute for Urban Health, home of interdisciplinary research, evaluation, policy and program initiatives; our world class historical medical library and its public programming in history, the humanities and the arts; and our Fellows program, a network of more than 2,000 experts elected by their peers from across the professions affecting health. Our current priorities are healthy aging, disease prevention, and eliminating health disparities.
The Library of The New York Academy of Medicine dates from the Academy’s founding. It opened its collections to the general public in 1878, and remains the only specialized research library in New York City offering access to medical and health information to members of the public. The Library’s collections include over 500,000 volumes-including approximately 32,000 rare books, 275,000 portraits and illustrations, and around 400,000 pamphlets. The collection comprises primary and secondary materials in the history of medicine, public health, science, and other health-related disciplines, as well as an extensive reference collection. The Library supports a number of activities, including two residential research fellowships, an active Friends program, and professional development workshops and meetings.
The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 to care for the collections of the Academy Library. In addition to its preservation and conservation mandate, the Lab plays an important role in training future generations of conservators through its internship and volunteer programs, and offers educational opportunities through professional workshops and lectures.
The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health, established in 2012, is the Library’s programming arm, mounting an extensive lecture program in the history of medicine, as well as public workshops, reading groups, performances, and other events.