Wednesday, May 16, 2012

JOB OPENING: Information Services Librarian, New York Academy of Medicine, New York City

The Malloch Rare Book Room at the New York Academy of Medicine.
For all you wonderful librarians out there who also happen to be interested in the history of medicine, I have an exciting announcement to make: The New York Academy of Medicine is advertising for a new opening for Information Services Librarian!

Full details follow; Hope one of you ends up in this role!
Information Services Librarian
Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health
The New York Academy of Medicine
Mission
The New York Academy of Medicine advances the health of people in cities. An independent organization since 1847, NYAM addresses the health challenges facing the world's urban populations through interdisciplinary approaches to policy leadership, education, community engagement and innovative research.

Drawing on the expertise of diverse partners worldwide and more than 2,000 elected Fellows from across the professions, our current priorities are
  • To create environments in cities that support healthy aging
  • To strengthen systems that prevent disease and promote the public's health
  • To implement interventions that eliminate health disparities
  • Summary and Description
Summary and Description
The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health is NYAM’s newest center and provides access to and enhances awareness of NYAM important research collections in medicine, public health and their history. The aim of the new Center is to build bridges among an interdisciplinary community of scholars, educators, clinicians, curatorial and conservation professionals and the general public.

The NYAM Research Library
The NYAM collections, which opened its to the general public in 1878, include over 500,000 volumes, 275,000 portraits and illustrations and around 400,000 pamphlets in its Research and Rare Books and Historical sections. NYAM is the only specialized research library in NYC offering access to medical and health information for members of the general public, a mission the Information Services Librarian will be critical in fulfilling.

The Research Library collection comprises monographs in medicine, public health and health policy, an extensive journal collection, grey literature, the various databases, and primary and secondary materials in the history of medicine, public health, science and other health-related disciplines. The Research Library collection is supported by an extensive reference collection of medical bibliography, biography, biographical dictionaries, dictionaries and library catalogues, as well as books on the history of books and printing.

The Research Library forms part of NYAM’s Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health. The Center is made up of the Research Library, Rare Book and Historical Collections and Conservation Laboratory. The Information Services librarian will function as the main contact person for users of the Research Library.
The Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health

In addition to the Research Library, the Center for the History of Medicine and Public Health’s  Rare Book and Historical Collections include a rare book collection of approximately 35,000 volumes, with manuscripts and archives dating from the 17th century B.C.E. to the present.  Books from the 17th and 18th centuries are another particular area of strength, as are materials related to the history of medicine in the City of New York.  Currently, the Rare Book and Historical Collections support a variety of programs, including two residential fellowships and an annual lecture series.

The Gladys Brooks Book and Paper Conservation Laboratory was established in 1982 for the express purpose of caring for the NYAM collections.  In addition to its preservation mandate, the Lab plays an important role in the training of future generations of conservators through its internship and volunteer programs and offers professional educational opportunities through a robust calendar of workshops and lectures.

Summary and Description
The NYAM Research Library is looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic librarian to provide information and reference services to NYAM Fellows and staff, members of the general public, and middle and high school students. The Information Services Librarian will be responsible for reference hours in the main reading room of the Research Library and play a central role providing users with research support. We are looking for an individual with a high level of communication and research skills, who will be proactive in helping to build the profile and activities of the Research Library.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Information Services Librarian will:

• Facilitate the use of databases and resources available in the Library, especially PubMed
• Support the research needs of staff, Fellows and corporate clients
• Assist the general public in their use of the library collections
• Provide in-depth reference searches, including searching grey literature
• Play a central role in NYAM’s Junior Fellows Program, helping middle and high school students develop and successfully complete research projects in the library
• Provide teaching and instructional sessions to Junior Fellows and participants in other NYAM programs such as EBEM (evidence-based emergency medicine) workshops
• Maintain and update Library CMS information
• Use social media to communicate Library activities and research results
• Take part in other special projects as required.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to help develop the activities and profile of a new Center dedicated to creating links between recent medicine and public health material and the history of medicine and public health. The Information Services Librarian will work closely with colleagues in the Center, and other NYAM sections. In particular s/he will collaborate with colleagues in the delivery of public services, introducing students from a variety of disciplines to the Center’s collections, and teaching research skills.

Qualifications
• MLS from an ALA-accredited institution (required)
• AHIP credentials (preferred)

Experience and/or Education
Required:

• Reference experience in an academic or research library with a focus on health sciences
• Familiarity with the databases and other reference tools necessary to answer a wide variety of questions related to public health, health policy, and medicine
• A sophisticated understanding of PubMed and an ability to teach it to a variety of different user groups
• Experience engaging with a diverse audiences, from school children, especially secondary school students, to professional
• Strong oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, with an ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner
• Demonstrated commitment to public service
• Excellent computer and web skills
• 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.

Preferred:
• At least 3-5 years reference experience in a large health sciences library
• Teaching experience, particularly with middle and high school students
• Familiarity with medical language and terminology
• Experience using social media.

To Apply
Please email a resume and cover letter to hr@nyam.org. Please include "Information Services Librarian" in subject line.

The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information, visit our website: www.nyam.org
The New York Academy of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
You can find out more by clicking here. Click on image to see larger, finer version; image above was sourced here.

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