Library Page, Teen Center Ambassador Exhibitions at The New York Public Library

Overview

The New York Public Library is looking for teens in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade to work as Exhibitions Teen Center Ambassadors at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in their current exhibitions. Library exhibitions showcase some of the most extraordinary items from NYPL’s research collections, inspiring and empowering visitors to discover, learn, and create new knowledge through manuscripts, artworks, letters, still and moving images, recordings, and more that bring to life voices of the past.

Teens should be interested in at least one of the following:

• Community engagement
• Engaging library patrons of all ages in library exhibitions, programs & services
• Exploring the world and work of libraries

The Exhibitions Teen Center Ambassadors (TCA) position will be assigned to work in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, where they will get patrons excited about Library exhibitions, helping them to connect with the material displayed through conversations, activities and tours, and encouraging the general public to engage with the public library and its collections.

This will include hosting exhibitions-based activities, tours, and programs for patrons of all ages, contributing a teen perspective to NYPL’s unique exhibitions, and making the Library as welcoming, inclusive, and empowering as possible.

Ambassadors will be provided with training on facilitation and have the opportunity to attend special events, such as career panels, guest speakers, and library field trips.

Position hours are scheduled between September 2026, and June 19, 2027. Those hours include:

• Human Resources Orientation (September 2026) — 1.5 hours
• Program Orientation ( September 19) — 7 hours
• Branch Placement (September 21 - June 19)
  • Wednesday: 4PM - 6:30PM
  • Saturdays: 10AM - 2:30PM
• Mid-Winter Recess Camp (Week of February 15) - 8 hours
• Spring Recess Camp (Week of April 26) — 14 hours
• Special events and opportunities — up to 20 hours

A program calendar will be provided during the interview process.

You must be able to get to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building by the scheduled branch shift times. We recommend that you map your commute from school to the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building.

Key Responsibilities

• Support visitors in participating in the We the People community storytelling exhibition
• Plan and implement exhibition activities for all ages in partnership with Exhibitions Education and Visitor Experience
• Generate ideas for self-directed exhibition exploration for teens
• Contribute to branch and system-wide social media and blogs to share a teen perspective on library research collections and services
• Participate in trainings and meetings on topics such as library resources, community engagement, cultural history, and more
• Support programs conducted by the Young Adult Programs and Services team, Exhibitions Education, Visitor Experience, and other key staff
• Facilitate positive learning experiences in the We the People, Polonsky Exhibition, Declaring America, and other exhibitions in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Required Education, Experience & Skills

• Current enrollment in 10th–12th grade in a NYC high school
• Proper employment certificate for minors under 18 as required by NYS law
• A resume is required for this position. You can find a guide to writing your resume here.

Required Skills

• Interest in museum education and libraries
• Interest and/or experience in public-facing work
• Strong written and communication skills
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, and creating a safe and welcoming environment for library patrons
• Demonstrated reliability and punctuality
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Hardworking and willing to be flexible
• Able to communicate through email and other electronic formats in a timely manner
• Demonstrated integrity
• Strong computer skills, including email, internet, and word processing; preference for the Google Suite

More...

Core Values

All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive

Physical Duties

• Moving book trucks
• Lifting boxes and materials up to 25 lbs
• Requires alternating between stationary and frequent movement during scheduled shift
• May require travel within NYC

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

• No

Schedule

• Wednesdays: 4PM - 6:30PM Saturdays: 10AM - 2:30PM with additional orientation, trainings, and special opportunity hours to be scheduled

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public Library

Salary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate's specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

About The New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations—including research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org.