Department Coordinator and Analyst, Digital Library + Labs

Description

The New York Public Library’s new Digital Library + Labs department is seeking its newest member: a hybrid department coordinator and data wrangler.

This is a perfect opportunity for an enthusiastic, problem-solving individual interested in the full digital library lifecycle: from digitization workflow to the creation of user-engagement tools and public programs. The position entails a mix of office management responsibilities with broader assessment, evaluation, and chronicling duties. Basically: help us identify how we can be more effective and efficient, then put it into action. Passionate interest in the future of libraries a must.

Reporting to the Director of Digital Library + Labs, the candidate will help coordinate efficient operations among a number of units within the department (Digital Imaging, Metadata Services, Permissions & Reproductions, and NYPL Labs) as well as with other Library departments and personnel. He/she will be responsible for helping the department create measurement and assessment tools of its various functions, and will help frame how those functions are described within the Library and to the broader public. They will also play a key role in developing assessment tools and methods around emergent library activity areas such as content partnerships (e.g. DPLA, HathiTrust), crowdsourcing initiatives, and developer community engagement. The ability to juggle many tasks and scheduling for a department of 26 is paramount, as is the ability to think broadly across all of the department’s functions.

About NYPL's Digital Library and Labs program:

Based dually at The New York Public Library's landmark central branch on 42nd Street, and at its cutting-edge services center in Long Island City, the Digital Library + Labs program is a multi-unit team working to re-imagine digital collections, creativity, and user engagement in the Internet age. The department works closely with librarians, curators, archivists, and library technologists and UX specialists to create imaginative tools and experiences around library content and services. The department combines core digital production capacities (digitization, metadata, permissions/reproductions etc.) with a vigorous public engagement mission, with a particular emphasis on user participation and the exploration of new forms of digital research and creativity. The Department Coordinator and Analyst would be joining an amazing creative team working at the crossroads of public-sector technology and cultural heritage in New York, and in a global community. In addition, a great benefits package, ample vacation time, and a sane life/work balance all make NYPL a fantastic place to work and create.


Responsibilities:

    Administrative support to Director and Deputy Director of Digital Library + Labs, and their direct reports

    Statistics tracking and support to all units within Digital Library + Labs

    Maintenance of departmental metrics dashboard and wiki

    Management of department finances, budgets, invoicing etc.

    Various office administration duties including handling of equipment provisioning, office supplies, seating arrangements, some travel arrangements, room bookings, scheduling

    Management of facilities logistics across units in two buildings

    Partners with the Data Analytics team in NYPL’s Strategic Planning office, and stakeholders in Collections, to provide detailed, statistical insight into all aspects of digital collections production, use, and public engagement

    Partners with Development Office to manage grant funds and reporting

    Develops and maintains expertise in assessment methods, techniques and best practices

    Contributes to the profession and represents the Library in academic, professional, and cultural heritage communities

    Internal and external communications duties
    Contributes to the department’s blog and social media presence — helping to tell the behind-the-scenes story of one of the world’s great libraries

Key Competencies:

    Organizational skills

    Data analysis

    Collaboration

    Team-building/leadership

    Problem-solving

    Creativity

    Excellent written and oral communication skills

Qualifications:

    Experience managing group operations and logistics

    Experience conducting analysis and creating customized reports using statistical software applications (e.g. Excel, Google Spreadsheets, SPSS, R)

    Self-starter, with ability to work under pressure on multiple tasks

    High energy and a positive attitude in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, start-up environment

    Demonstrated facility with social media and other tools for outreach and community building

    MLS (or equivalent comparable experience) preferred, Bachelors level degree required

    Strong desire to make a huge impact on how the public is able to access knowledge

Union / Non Union:
Non Union