Acquisitions Assistant (Temporary)

Description

Part-time, non-exempt, up to 28 hours/week 

Compensation : $23 per hour 

Background 

Internationally recognized as a premier museum and research center, the Frick is known for its distinguished Old Master paintings and outstanding examples of European sculpture and decorative arts. 

The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations. 

The Frick has undergone a comprehensive renovation and was open in a temporary home, Frick Madison, from 2020 through early 2024, while renovations were underway at the mansion on 70th Street. In addition to special exhibition galleries and education spaces, we have added enhanced visitor amenities and accessible spaces. The Museum and Art Research Library reopened to the public in April 2025. 

Workplace Culture 

At the Frick Collection, we pride ourselves on promoting an open and welcoming workplace culture that supports diversity and work-life balance. The Frick strives to provide our employees with competitive salaries and exceptional benefits in a beautiful and pleasant work setting, while offering an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art. 

The Frick Collection provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without  regard to personal characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex,  age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information,  military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity  or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or  citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status,  unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence  or stalking victim status, caregiver status, or other characteristics  protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  

Position Summary 

The Frick Art Research Library book collection consists of over 400,000 monographs, exhibition and collection catalogs, and catalogues raisonnés; over 3,000 periodical titles; and over 90,000 auction catalogs from more than 1,000 auctions houses in Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Coverage includes paintings, drawings, sculpture, and prints from the fourth to the end of the twentieth century by European artists and artists from around the world influenced by European traditions. Materials are collected in all formats and in any language with approximately 6,000 new titles added to the collection annually.  

Reporting to the Acquisitions Lead, the Acquisitions Assistant provides operational support in the receiving and copy cataloging of monographs for the library.  

Responsibilities include:

• Unpacking books and matching titles to invoices  
• Receiving the material in Alma  
• Copy cataloging according to MARC 21 standards  
• Other related duties as assigned  

Requirements

The education and/or experience requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to successfully perform the essential duties of this position.  

• Experience with copy cataloging of monographs and OCLC Connexion 
• Experience with ExLibris’s Alma/Primo or with another ILS commonly used in research libraries  
• Precise attention to detail and ability to work independently and collaboratively  
• Ability to work for extended periods at a computer workstation and lift moderately heavy boxes  
• Knowledge or course work in Art History  

Preferred 

• Reading knowledge of one or more languages in addition to English  

Physical Requirements 

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position and, if requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. 

• Physical requirements are comparable to most office roles. 
• Ability to interact in-person with colleagues, vendors, and visitors.  
• Use common office tools and machines (computer, phone).  
• Ability to transport and operate equipment. 
• Ability to traverse and navigate throughout the offices, building(s) in and      out-doors, galleries, different levels of the building and storage areas to complete tasks (includes climbing steps, ladders, and scaffolding;      lifting objects and containers up to 40 lbs.) 

Employment Status and Compensation 

This is a temporary, part-time nonexempt role for 6 months at up to 28 hours per week during regular office hours. Compensation is $23 per hour 

Benefits in Employment with the Frick Collection 

Sick time: part-time employees and interns accrue sick leave up to 56 hours/year in accordance with the New York City Earned Sick Time Act.  

Paid Holidays: part-time employees receive paid time-off when they would normally be scheduled to work on holidays the museum is closed to the public. These include New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Martin Luther King Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 

Retirement: The Frick supports all employees and interns in planning for retirement by offering participation in a Tax Deferred Savings Plan – 403(b). 

Wellness Programs at the Frick include an Employee Assistance Plan, a discount on Citi Bike memberships, and a discount on bike helmets.  

Meal and Museum Shop discount: When employees are working onsite, they may access a discount on food pickup or delivery through Seamless/Grubhub. All employees are eligible to receive a discount on Frick Museum Shop purchases. 

Application Process 

Apply here or send resume and cover letter to: 

Sabina and Harlan Stone Assoc Chief Librarian 

The Frick Collection 

1 East 70th Street 

New York, NY 10021