Middle Eastern and Islamic Manuscript Cataloger (Specialist III)

The New York Public Library•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been one of the world’s great public research libraries for more than 130 years. The research centers offer unparalleled opportunities to engage with in-depth and unique collections, inspirational reading rooms, exhibitions, programs, and a range of research services. The Collections and Research Services division encompasses several departments focused on managing the ongoing development and processing of our exceptional research collections, advancing unified discovery and expanded access, both in-person and online, and ensuring stewardship of the collections at every stage of the collections lifecycle. The Special Collections Processing Department (SCP) ensures long-term stewardship and access to the Library’s most distinctive collections by describing rare and unique materials for inclusion in the Library’s catalogs. Reporting to the Senior Manager for Rare Materials Cataloging, the Middle Eastern and Islamic Manuscript Cataloger’s primary responsibility is to catalog manuscripts from NYPL’s Middle Eastern and Islamic collections, adhering to national and local cataloging standards. The collection is geographically and culturally expansive, spanning from West Africa to Indonesia—including North Africa, Turkey, Iran, China, and South Asia—and offers exceptional chronological and interdisciplinary depth. This two-year, grant-funded position is part of a five-year Lilly Endowment project focused on the conservation, digitization, and public engagement of the Islamic manuscript collection.

Requirements

ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or advanced degree in Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies, or related humanities field combined with successful completion of cataloging training
Experience performing original and complex copy cataloging of rare materials, specifically manuscripts and rare books
Experience designing and managing project workflows, assessing outcomes, and resolving complex bibliographic problems independently
Experience with the physical handling of fragile materials
Experience using integrated library systems, such as Sierra, and bibliographic utilities like OCLC Connexion
Experience creating and maintaining authority records within national programs like NACO and BIBCO
Excellent reading and writing proficiency in Arabic and proficiency or reading knowledge in Persian, Ottoman, and Urdu
Strong original cataloging skills, especially those needed to describe rare books and manuscripts
Demonstrated knowledge of rare book and special collections cataloging standards (e.g. DCRM, RDA, MARC21) and controlled vocabularies (e.g. RBMS, LCSH)
Knowledge and awareness of current trends and new developments in cataloging and metadata
Demonstrated knowledge of codicological and paleographic aspects of manuscripts
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate with a diverse community
Strong service orientation and knowledge of user needs

Responsibilities

Perform original and complex copy cataloging for rare Middle Eastern and Islamic manuscripts in OCLC and Sierra, adhering to current standards and best practices for descriptive cataloging of rare manuscripts
Analyze and resolve complex bibliographic problems to ensure the discoverability and integrity of the Library’s unique holdings
Perform authority control by creating and maintaining name and subject authority records according to national standards
Apply and interpret controlled vocabularies, including LCSH and RBMS, while ensuring romanization follows ALA-LC standards
Collaborate with project staff, curatorial, public service, and collection management teams to develop project-specific workflows to ensure timely achievement of project milestones
In collaboration with curatorial teams, identify and prioritize materials for conservation, providing detailed assessments of physical condition to the project team and conservators
Identify and document any shift in provenance in new and existing catalog records that expand beyond existing accession records
Liaise with colleagues in BookOps to ensure local cataloging data aligns with shared collection standards
Maintain awareness of emerging trends and best practices in rare book librarianship, including linked data and the ethical description of diverse cultural heritage
Perform related duties as required