Manager of Research Services, Boston Public Library, (Boston, MA)
Posted March 11, 2024
The Boston Public Library (BPL) seeks a Manager of Research Services to lead efforts in developing and providing effective research support and integrated public access to research and special collections and services across the Central Library’s reading rooms, service desks, and remote reference activities. This newly created position oversees teams and services responsible for reference, research, instruction, access, and other public services connected to discovery and use of the library’s research and special collections. This role is responsible for identifying opportunities for innovative expansion of reference and research services that are sustainable and responsive to the communities that BPL serves.
Working collaboratively across the department and throughout the library, the Manager of Research Services supports active, welcoming, and inclusive public engagement with the library’s research and special collections in accordance with professional standards, ethics, security guidelines, and best practices in the field. Primary responsibilities include the management and coordination of all reference, reading rooms, and remote research and reference activities and the development of instruction and outreach services that build and strengthen users’ connections with BPL’s collections. Core functions include performing analyses of existing research services and usage patterns, developing workflows, setting priorities, training staff, and fostering a culture of data-informed continuous improvement. More information about the role can be found on the City of Boston’s career’s website.
About the BPL’s research and special collections: Collected since the library’s founding in 1848, the research and special collections represent the BPL’s ongoing commitment to providing free and open access to specialized materials primarily held by private or academic libraries. As a founding member of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the Boston Public Library is one of only two public libraries to hold this distinction. The library’s exceptional special collections include rare books, artwork, manuscripts, archives, photographs, music, maps, and sculpture. The research collections total more than 16 million items and include monographs, serials, periodicals, pamphlets, journals, illustrated portfolios, newspapers, maps, government documents, audiovisual materials, and microfilm, among other formats. All of these collections represent materials deemed to be of enduring value to researchers and the general public.
Salary range: $85,000-$110,000
How To Apply:
To apply to this position, please visit the City of Boston employment website. Please combine your cover letter and resume in a single PDF file and attach them together in the resume upload section.