(General)
(Music)
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is specialized library work in a municipal library system administering a special collection at the Parkway Central Library. Employees in this class manage all aspects of a special collection including researching, assembling, and exhibiting artifactual collections and are responsible for the acquisition, registration, maintenance and exhibition of a specialized library collection. Performing project management and budgeting related to collections, directing the daily operations of the reference service, making presentations to visitors, arranging for conservation treatment, handling loan and reproduction requests, collaborating and coordinating on the digitization of collections, and preparing exhibitions, lectures, or publications as a means of promoting the collection are important aspects of the work.
Work is performed under the supervision of a higher level librarian supervisor.
ALLOCATING FACTORS (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.):
1. A position in this class must work at the full performance level providing curatorial responsibility for one of the Free Library’s special collections at the Parkway Central Library.
2. Positions in the General specialty perform work in one of the following areas of assignment: Automobile Reference, Children’s Literature, Maps, Print and Pictures, Rare Books, Theatre, Exhibitions, Archives, or Digital Collections.
3. Only one position will be allocated to the Automobile Reference, Children’s Literature, Map, Theatre, Exhibition, and Digital Collections assignment or Music specialty. No more than three positions may be allocated to the Rare Books, Print and Pictures, or Archive assignments.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
BOTH SPECIALTIES
Plans and directs the acquisition, processing, display, and maintenance of archival, research, and subject collections; Formulates long-range goals and objectives for the acquisition of special collections; directs staff, volunteers, and/or interns engaged in the organization and preservation of materials in the collection; Performs and/or oversees the cataloging of individual manuscripts, books, and related materials; designs physical and virtual exhibits including writing and editing accompanying program notes; prepares promotional materials publicizing collections and exhibits in both paper and online formats, including social networking; directs the maintenance of accounts of endowments and/or collection budgets; coordinates and cooperates with other library departments to support general library services and programs.
Provides reference and research services including responding to in-person, telephone, email, and written inquiries; works within administrative priorities; identifies and arranges materials for digitization; provides standards for relevant metadata, and performs item description; communicates with external institutions/organizations such as libraries, dealers, or collectors to address their requests related to collections; prepares periodic reports of the activities of the collection including budget and statistical summaries of materials loaned and purchased, visitors received, and special activities or functions conducted.
Performs related work as required.
GENERAL SPECIALTY
Automobile Reference Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s Automobile Reference collection including the procurement, maintenance, cataloging and exhibition of technical manuals, sales literature, photography, books and periodicals
Children’s Literature Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s Children’s Literature Research and Early American and Historical Children’s literature collections including the procurement, maintenance, cataloging and exhibition of children’s literature from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and historical documents and papers of children’s book authors and illustrators.
Map Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s Map collection including the procurement, maintenance, cataloging and exhibition of historical and current maps and geographical resources covering every part of the world, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia including maps, atlases, globes, photographs and drawings.
Print and Picture Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s print and picture collections including the procurement, maintenance, cataloging and exhibition of circulating pictures, drawings by American artists, fine art prints and photographs, portraits, and works derived from the Works Progress Administration.
Rare Book Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s rare book collections including the procurement, maintenance, cataloging and exhibition of medieval, renaissance and oriental manuscripts, incunabula, manuscript folk art and imprints and cuneiform tablets.
Theatre Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s theatre collections including the procurement, maintenance, cataloging and exhibition of research materials on the history of American theatre, early film and popular entertainment, books, periodicals, theatre programs and playbills, theatre reviews, photographs, posters, film stills and other memorabilia.
Exhibition Assignment
Performs curatorial work and project management in the Library’s exhibition galleries including the procurement, maintenance, budget preparation, cataloging/ collection documentation, coordination of exhibition loans and mounting exhibitions from the Library’s collections and from outside sources and institutions.
Archives Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s archives including the procurement, arranging, describing and ensuring access to records documenting the history and operations of the Free Library of Philadelphia and archival materials in the Library’s Special Collections.
Digital Collections Assignment
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s digital collections including the establishment of priorities, development of standards, best practices, and workflows to expand and maximize the accessibility to special collections; manages digitization projects across the Library’s Special Collections.
MUSIC SPECIALTY
Performs curatorial work in the Library’s music collections including the procurement, maintenance, cataloging and exhibition of original and reproduced scores and ensembles of chamber and choral music; sheet music including show tunes, opera, blues, folk and popular standards; musical instruments and other memorabilia; oversees the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music lending library; operates under the terms and obligations of the Edwin A. Fleisher endowment.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
All Specialties
· Standard library practices, procedures, methods, and techniques
· Library arrangement and classification systems
· Understanding of bibliographic terminology and description, collation, and other issues specific to special collections materials in the area of assignment
· The literature and resources of the assigned collection
· The literature and research sources in the area of assignment
· Preservation and conservation principles for rare materials
· Electronic information storage systems
· Archival arrangement and management principles
· Digital imaging and scanning technology
· Sources and selection methods for new acquisitions
· Endowment requirements for acquiring new collection materials
· Exhibition development and production
· Metadata and digital preservation standards for the Digital Collections Assignment
SKILL IN:
· Technical skills including all Microsoft Office products
· Conducting research
· Operating social media platforms and using technology to develop market and develop collections
ABILITY TO:
· Organize information in a manner that meets users’ needs
· Describe, catalog and analyze valuable objects for the benefit of researchers and the public
· Communicate effectively in writing to promote and interpret the collection to various audiences through exhibitions, publications, and technologies such as social networking
· Coordinate educational and public outreach programs, such as tours, lectures, workshops, and classes in the area of assignment
· Write and review grant proposals and publicity materials for the collection assigned
· Research and assemble exhibitions
· Perform public relations and market collections
· Sight read music for the music specialty
· Read conventional music expressions and titles in Italian, German, French and other languages for the music specialty
· Exercise judgment and discretion in screening difficult objects for acquisition and restoration
· Communicate effectively with the public about the assigned collection through presentations, demonstrations, and lectures
· Direct the work of a number of lower level library staff and/or volunteers
· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, trusts, educational and research institutions and the general public
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/16.)
EDUCATION
General Specialty
Possession of a fifth year or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in library science, museum studies, materials conservation, historic preservation, archives, information science or a closely related field
Music Specialty
Possession of a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in music, music theory, music history or a closely related field.
AND
Both
Specialties
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Three years of librarian, curatorial, museum registration or academic experience working with historic or literary collections, manuscripts, artifacts, or memorabilia in a library, museum, educational, archives, or similar public institution with responsibility for one of the following:
· Acquiring and maintaining
· Researching and publishing
· Lecturing
· Designing and installing exhibits
NOTE: General Specialty only, a Master’s degree in the area of assignment may be substituted for one of the specified degrees above.
Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the education described above.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with specified education and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such positions will be made from the two highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list who possess the specified education and/or experience.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
Class Established:
CSC - 5/14
Ad. Board - 5/14
Spec. Revised:
CSC – 4/16
Ad. Board – 5/16
HB