Job Description
Associate Director for Global Studies
Application Deadline: 14 June 2026
Department: Collections
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Reporting To: Jason Baumann
Compensation: $130,000 - $145,000 / year
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been one of the world’s great public research libraries for more than 130 years. Its research centers provide opportunities for engagement 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 of our exceptional research collections, advancing unified discovery and expanded access to our collections, both in-person and online, and ensuring stewardship of the collections at every stage of the collections lifecycle.
NYPL’s collections are truly international in scope, with historical and ongoing strengths in published materials from Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Through collaboration with
ReCAP and MaRLI (Manhattan Research Library Initiative) partners, NYPL continues to develop comprehensive international collections that serve as a vital resource for advanced research in global studies for the consortium, the CUNY system, and scholars worldwide.
NYPL seeks an experienced and collaborative leader to oversee the collection development, research, teaching, and learning efforts of the Global Studies curators, a team of language and subject experts that collaborate with staff across the Library to help build our international holdings and connect these collections to scholars, students, diaspora communities, and the general public. The Global Studies curators have principal responsibility for collecting international materials for the Library’s general research collections, and collaborate with curators and selectors across the research libraries to support the development and diversity of their international holdings. The Associate Director will also work with stakeholders across the Library and with external partners to advance strategic initiatives related to international collections.
We are looking for someone we can count on to:
Own
- Oversight for collection development of international materials across NYPL’s research libraries, from countries outside the U.S., as well as diaspora communities, by providing strategic direction, alignment around our institutional goals, and supporting collaboration across the Library
Teach
- And communicate the strategic importance of international collecting for NYPL and the academic, popular, and diaspora communities we serve
Learn:
- The depth and breadth of NYPL’s historic collections, both the general and special collections, the extent of collaborative agreements, and opportunities for further coordinated collecting
Improve
- Our internal partnerships and collaboration across the Library for international collections, as well as with strategic partners
Some expectations for this role are that within:
1 month, this person will:
- Build working relationships with the Global Studies team
- Meet key NYPL internal partners and stakeholders in BookOps and the research centers
- Gain an understanding of the Library’s strategic initiatives
- Meet global studies leaders at ReCAP, CUNY, and MaRLI partner libraries
3 months, this person will:
- Understand the scope of NYPL’s international collecting program
- Meet with key vendors and other external stakeholders, especially CUNY faculty
6 months and beyond, this person will:
- Maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with selectors, curators and collection leadership in the research centers, as well as with education, programming, and exhibitions teams
- Collaborate with BookOps colleagues, vendors, and ReCAP partners to improve workflows for acquisition and processing of international materials, including ReCAP’s collaborative collection development efforts
- They should have a clear sense of the near- and long-term roadmap for international collections at NYPL, and a broader understanding of their leadership role
Responsibilities
- Manage a growing team of area studies curators developing international collections in print, e-resources, and special collections
- Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues across the Library in public service and special collections departments to develop and promote international collections
- Collaborate with peers among the ReCAP partners (Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale) to advance the Library’s strategic goals around coordinated collection development
- Manage approval plans and vendors for materials from Western Europe, China, and South Asia
- Establish vision, priorities, and guidelines for the ongoing work of the Global Studies team, including the transition from print to electronic
- Coordinate with education, public service, programming, and exhibitions departments on outreach and interpretation for international collections
- Collaborate with partners in the Special Collections Processing and BookOps Cataloging departments on approaches to processing materials in languages other than English
- Foster greater understanding of collection development tools and vendors to empower staff across the Library in building international collections
- Manage collections budgets and work closely with the Library’s Development team, curators and other stakeholders on fundraising initiatives and managing grants
- Utilize data and assessment to support evidence-based changes to collections and services, including the development of new services and collecting areas
- Develop and support staff, fostering inclusion, professional growth, and a collaborative culture
- Represent NYPL nationally and internationally in consortia and conferences, advancing its role as a leader in global studies
- Perform other related duties as required
Required Education, Experience & Skills
Required Education & Certifications
ALA-accredited Master’s Degree in Library or Information Science or an advanced degree and relevant and substantial research library experience
Required Experience
- 10+ years of professional and relevant library experience in area studies collection development
- 7+ years supervisory experience
- Experience in budget management
- Experience in donor relations and stewardship
Required Skills
- Demonstrated expertise with collection development practices, especially for non-English language materials, in an academic or research library setting
- Reading and writing knowledge of additional languages relevant to the library’s holdings
- Strong leadership skills, including negotiation and influencing skills
- Demonstrated ability to build consensus, resolve complex problems and promote productive teamwork
- Significant problem-solving, decision-making, analytical and creative thinking abilities
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
- Successfully demonstrated commitment to excellence in public service
- Capacity to thrive in a collaborative and dynamic environment
Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities
- Manages a strong and growing team of five experienced area-studies curators
- Manages annual budget of approximately $4 million
More...
Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:
- Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
- Be Resourceful in solving problems
- Be Curious in all aspects of your work
- Be Welcoming and Inclusive
Work Environment
Physical Duties
- Travel to NYPL sites as needed
Pre-Placement Physical Required?
No
Union/Non Union
Non-Union
FLSA Status
Exempt
Schedule
M-F, 9-5; Hybrid 3-onsite / 2-offsite as workload permits
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.
The New York Public LibrarySalary Statement
At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.
Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).
