Middle Eastern and Islamic Manuscript Cataloger (Specialist III)
| Published | April 2, 2026 |
| Location | New York, United States of America |
| Category | Academic |
| Job Type | Temporary/Term-Limited |
| Apply Here | https://nypl.pinpointhq.com/en/postings/cd68f1bd-cdee-47c5-999e-51a90978c235 |
| Cover Letter Requirements | Not Required |
| Education Requirements | ALA-accredited Master’s degree in Library and Information Science or advanced degree in Middle Eastern Studies, Islamic Studies, or related humanities field combined with successful completion of cataloging training |
| Minimum Compensation in Local Currency | $80,145 |
| Maximum Compensation in Local Currency | $80,145 |
| Hourly or Salary? | Salary |
Description
The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been one of the world’s great public research libraries for more than 130 years. The research centers offer unparalleled opportunities to engage 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 and processing of our exceptional research collections, advancing unified discovery and expanded access, both in-person and online, and ensuring stewardship of the collections at every stage of the collections lifecycle.
The Special Collections Processing Department (SCP) ensures long-term stewardship and access to the Library’s most distinctive collections by describing rare and unique materials for inclusion in the Library’s catalogs. Reporting to the Senior Manager for Rare Materials Cataloging, the Middle Eastern and Islamic Manuscript Cataloger’s primary responsibility is to catalog manuscripts from NYPL’s Middle Eastern and Islamic collections, adhering to national and local cataloging standards.
The collection is geographically and culturally expansive, spanning from West Africa to Indonesia—including North Africa, Turkey, Iran, China, and South Asia—and offers exceptional chronological and interdisciplinary depth. This two-year, grant-funded position is part of a five-year Lilly Endowment project focused on the conservation, digitization, and public engagement of the Islamic manuscript collection.