Volunteer Opportunities at The Morgan Library & Museum

The volunteer program works to match the Morgan's needs with the skills of qualified candidates. Volunteer opportunities are available in many departments.
Volunteer FAQs

Drawing Study Center
Photography by Arnold Kirschner.

Collection Information Systems
Reporting to the Head of Cataloging and Database Maintenance, the cataloging assistant will create and update records in CORSAIR, the Morgan's online collections catalog, in OCLC's WorldCat, and in the Morgan's local collection management system. The cataloging assistant will also gather and standardize metadata about collection items, such as exhibition histories and bibliographies. Training will be provided as needed. Requirements: Strong preference will be given to someone with a library cataloging background, including experience with the MARC format, AACR2, authority control, online library systems in general, and OCLC's Connexion client. Other computer skills, such as experience with Microsoft Access, and knowledge of foreign languages, are appreciated.

Drawings and Prints
This individual will assist the department curators with permanent collection cataloguing by utilizing the Morgan's online research resource, CORSAIR. The work will also include routine departmental duties including filing, typing, and photocopying. There is an opportunity to view drawings firsthand. Qualifications: Applicants should have an M.L.S. degree or basic knowledge of library cataloguing and OCLC/Voyager. Familiarity with local research libraries and an ability to use appropriate research tools (both on and offline) is also required. The ideal candidate must be able to work in basic Microsoft programs, with additional skills in scanning and Adobe systems preferred, and must be willing and able to learn new database systems.

Education
1) Docents:
Responsibilities and duties: Conduct gallery talks for the public that include biographical information about Pierpont Morgan and others who have shaped the institution, the architecture, and the decorative and artistic details in the complex and the collection. Upon successful completion of training and evaluation, docents are expected to make a long-term commitment (minimum of two years). Qualifications: Advanced degrees are preferred, especially in history, art history and literature. Teaching experience and/or experience working with the public strongly desired.

2) Proposal coordinator:
Responsibilities and duties: This individual will create a database, using Excel or something similar, organize and track public program proposals and draft follow-up correspondence. There may be an opportunity to provide additional support for the Morgan's concert and lecture series by researching and providing materials to online calendars, newsletters and other venues. Qualifications: An interest and experience in music and the arts and knowledge of music programming is helpful. The qualified volunteer should be familiar with trends in classical music, have strong organizational skills, be detail-oriented and able to work independently. Although this is not a public-facing position, the qualified individual should have good interpersonal skills and be comfortable working with presentors and performing artists.

Finance Department
Responsibilities and duties: The Finance Department is seeking a volunteer to assist with special project work. One significant project will be to use Excel to update spreadsheet files for the Morgan's endowed funds. The individual will be working with records that are still on paper as well as reviewing existing spreadsheets for accuracy. Qualifications: Qualified individuals will have an accounting degree. They must know Excel, be precise and detail-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Time commitment: 1-2 days/week.

Information and Membership
The Morgan's newly-established Information and Membership Desk in the J.P. Morgan Chase Lobby that requires a number of volunteers. These individuals will help enhance the visitor experience by providing information about the Morgan, its collections and exhibitions, and by answering questions related to membership. Qualifications: A strong interest in museum interpretation, willingness to learn and share information about the Morgan and its collections; a friendly, outgoing personality; excellent verbal communication skills and basic PC computer skills. There will be opportunities to work weekends.

Membership Information Desk Supervisor
This volunteer will assist in the smooth running of the newly-established Membership Desk at the Morgan. The duties of the position are to coordinate scheduling of Membership Desk volunteers; assist in developing training materials and with training sessions; and obtain new exhibition information and disseminate to volunteers. The volunteer will also ensure that the Membership Desk binder is up-to-date and that necessary supplies and brochures are avialble. The ideal candidate will be extremely well organized, have leadership qualities and be able to interact comfortably with a variety of people. Proficiency in Windows, Word, and Excel is required.

Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts
The department is seeking a volunteer to play an important departmental role in maintaining the extensive files that pertain to the more than 1,400 manuscripts owned by the Morgan. This will include filing letters and correspondence and ensuring that the files are in order and up-to-date. Applicants should be extremely well organized with strong attention to detail; an appreciation of the Morgan and manuscript illumination; art history background appreciated.

The Morgan Shop
This is a great opportunity for people who are interested in merchandising and retail sales. Volunteers will work in the Morgan's Shop in four-hour shifts Tuesdays through Saturdays. They will maintain stock levels and displays and work directly with the public by answering questions and handling sales. Qualifications: Previous experience operating a POS/inventory system; sales experience and excellent interpersonal skills are required. Applicants should be comfortable standing for extended periods of time and be able to lift objects of up to 20 pounds. Shop volunteers must be willing to comply with a simple background check.

Printed Books and Bindings
The Printed Books and Bindings Department seeks four bibliophiles to help coordinate and track its extensive collection of rare books.

1) Collection Support: The volunteer will focus on helping to catalogue the Lohf Poetry collection, a recent bequest of English poetry, with call numbers, labels and tabs. The volunteer will work under the supervision of a curator in a shelving area. Qualified applicants must be poetry lovers who are careful, neat and accurate in their work. Time commitment: 2 1/2 days/week

2) File Coordinator: This individual will help ensure that the department's archival files are kept up to date by filing such items as new invoices, book descriptions and gift reports, using a variety of filing systems maintained by the Morgan. Qualified individuals must have clerical experience, be neat and accurate and comfortable working with sensitive information. Time commitment: 1 day/week

Publications
Responsibilities and duties: The Morgan's Publications department is seeking a retired proofreader with a proven track record to work with the Senior Editor. The volunteer will proofread a variety of materials, including but not limited to full-scale catalogues, gallery didactics, press releases, calendars of events, development materials, and annual reports. The position will entail the accurate review of copious amounts of material within tight deadlines and therefore availability must be flexible.. Qualifications: Applicants should be willing to take a proofreading test; an art history background and/or museum experience is a plus.

Reading Room
The volunteer will participate in desk duties including supervising readers and instructing them in the proper handling of rare materials and photocopy reference and rare materials for readers and staff. The individual will instruct readers in the use of the on-line catalogue, and various finding aids and operate and maintain microfilm reader/printers and instruct readers in their use. The qualified candidate will be responsible, detail-oriented, with excellent security awareness and judgement, and computer and Internet research skills. BA in the humanities, ALA accredited MLS or course work towards degree is highly desired. Some library experience needed. Reading knowledge of Western European languages desirable.

Registrar's Office
The Registrar's Office is seeking a volunteer with previous museum registrarial experience to assist in organizing and implementing the Morgan Library & Museum's exhibition and out-going loan program as well as the acquisition process. The ideal candidate will have experience in preparing in-coming and out-going loan requests; installing and coordinating packing/unpacking schedules; and making transport arrangements for incoming and out-going loans and new acquisitions. Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have B.A. or M.A. in art history, fine arts, liberal arts, or museum studies; A minimum of one year (preferably two years) experience in a museum setting; skill with Microsoft Office applications; strong organizational and communication skills; the ability to handle numerous projects simultaneously and under tight deadlines; and be able to work with a diverse staff, private lenders, and staff of other institutions. a working knowledge of one European language is desirable.

Volunteer FAQs