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.
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Drawing Study Center
Photography by Arnold Kirschner.

Collection Information Systems
Responsibilities and duties: Reporting to the Head of Cataloging & 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 & Prints
Responsibilities and duties: This individual will assist the department curators with permanent collection cataloging 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 cataloging 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 is 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 presenters and performing artists.

Events/Development and Membership
Fall Benefit/Events Assistant
Responsibilities and duties: October 25, 2010 is the Grand Gala Reopening of The Morgan Library & Museum's iconic McKim building. This momentous, glamorous event will offer guests the unique opportunity to preview the extensive renovations of the McKim's interior spaces. The Morgan's Events Department is beginning to plan and organize this elegant evening and seeks a Volunteer Events Assistant to become a valued member of their team. The Events Assistant will be responsible for managing the invitation list using Excel, sending out acknowledgments and doing follow up as necessary. There is also the opportunity to assist at the gala and with the department's ongoing travel program. Qualifications: The candidate will be very detail orientated, careful and organized. She/he must be comfortable working in both MS Word and Excel and, although it is not essential, a knowledge of Raiser's Edge would be most helpful. She/he must be able to commit to volunteer two half or one full day a week Monday through Friday until mid November, 2010. However, there may be the possibility of ongoing volunteer opportunities with the department.

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 JPMorgan Chase Lobby 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. Desk volunteers will also distribute complimentary audio guides to visitors and instruct them in the usage of the guides. 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.

Master Drawings
Responsibilities and duties: Reporting to the Administrator, this individual will join the editorial team responsible for producing Master Drawings, a quarterly publication produced by the Master Drawings Association, an independent not-for-profit organization. Master Drawings is the only scholarly periodical in the world devoted to the study of draftsmen, draftsmanship, and drawings since the Renaissance. The individual will support the "nuts and bolts" of producing a journal, including maintaining the subscription database and preparing mailings, and provide administrative support for special events and annual appeal. S/he will also be a departmental liaison for artists and advertisers and may have the opportunity to contribute to editorial content. Qualifications: Interest in art history/visual arts, art criticism and small non-profits. Strongly disciplined with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Pleasant and professional phone manner. Ability to see the "big picture" while performing repetitive tasks. Publications experience appreciated. Ideal candidate would begin in late August/early September to accommodate editorial cycle.

Membership/Information Desk
The newly-established Membership Desk at the Morgan seeks a volunteer supervisor. The duties of the position are to coordinate scheduling of Membership Desk volunteers; assist in developing training materials and organizing training sessions; and obtain new exhibition information and disseminate it to volunteers. The volunteer will also ensure that the Membership Desk binder is up to date and that necessary supplies and brochures are available. 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.

This is an important volunteer role and a one year's commitment is required. We prefer that the volunteer fulfilling this role be available either three half days or two full days per week.

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 & 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 catalog 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, 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.

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