Access Services Librarian

Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on February, 14 2025.

Access Services actively supports the teaching and research mission of the Harvard Library by delivering a high standard of service; cultivating a welcoming and inclusive environment that is supportive to academic research and inquiry; stewarding the university collection; and connecting the academic community to the vast array of library resources. We support the teaching and scholarly mission of the University through collaborative partnerships with the community of students, scholars, and professionals at Harvard and beyond. Access staff members are committed to delivering high-quality customer service, timely access to collections, and maintaining the integrity and security of library resources and materials in accordance with the priorities and objectives of the Harvard Library.

The Access Services Librarian (ASL) provides day-to-day leadership to Access Services staff in circulation, collection management, resource sharing, and service delivery to ensure a seamless user experience. This full-time position is based in the Harvard Law Library and reports to the Associate Director of Public Services.

The assigned hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Library hours may vary from the formal University calendar. The regular schedule for this position may include work on holidays, inclement weather, and official University closings. Assigned hours may change throughout the year based on the Academic Calendar. Approval of requests for time off during these periods is at the discretion of the supervisor based on business needs.Position Description

Leadership

Leads, manages, and develops staff to ensure effective patron-focused services.

Defines and communicates clear objectives that align with the library's mission.

Fosters a positive, collaborative work environment with clear communication, regular team meetings, and performance evaluations.

Fosters an environment where team members can communicate, share knowledge, and work together. Mediates and resolves issues to maintain a positive work environment. Sets the tone for the team in creating a culture of collaboration and accountability.

Encourages professional growth and provides training and mentoring to enhance team skills. Ensures team members understand their responsibilities and offers direction and coaching. Tracks team's progress and addresses issues that may arise. Recognizes team members' strengths and suggests areas for improvement.

Models core values of the Harvard Library and Law Library that supports equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Operations and Collection Management

Provides oversight and management of Access Services daily operations for a busy service point. Area of responsibility includes circulation, collection shelving and management, transfers to offsite storage, resource sharing, physical reserves, serials binding, and end processing for Area Studies materials.

Steps in to assist with the day-to-day tasks as necessary. May need to do so on a regular basis.

Motivates team members to provide exceptional customer service.

Ensures timely and accurate processing of interlibrary loans, document delivery, and patron requests following centralized best practices and tailored to meet the needs of the law library.

Implements and maintains workflows to maximize efficiency, accuracy, and quality of services.

Maintains and adjusts service desk scheduling and staff work assignments to meet business needs while optimizing resources.

Develop policies and procedures that promote an inclusive and welcoming environment. Provides documentation of the policies and procedures.

Tracks and analyzes service metrics such as circulation and patron usage patterns to make informed decisions.

Stays informed on trends in library technology and best practices to implement innovative solutions.

Develops and implements plans for large collection projects, engaging with stakeholders.

Prepares reports and recommendations for improvements based on data trends and outcomes.

Adapts to changing situations and makes strategic decisions to ensure the department's success.

Collaboration

As a member of the Law Library Public Services management team, collaborates with HLS colleagues on library-wide policies and procedures, develops cross-functional workflows, and fosters a culture of collaboration and cooperation.

As a member of the Harvard Library Access Services Extended Leadership Team (ELT), actively participates in ELT meetings, strategizes and implements Access Services plans, and develops effective communication plans for all stakeholders. Engages in initiatives that enhance the culture within Harvard Library Access Services, including advocating for continuous learning, promoting diversity and inclusion, managing resources efficiently, and embodying Harvard Library's values in daily operations and interactions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBLITIES

Staff, temporary staff, and student workers: Hires, trains, supervises, mentors, and assigns work to access services staff. Approves staff payroll and communicates with HL payroll as needed. Meets with staff on a consistent basis including conducting annual performance reviews.Basic Qualifications

Master of Library Science or equivalent education or work experience required.

Minimum of three years of academic library experience and strong public service orientation required.

Three or more years' supervisory experience and demonstrated commitment to mentoring, training, and staff development.

Experience with standard office software (Microsoft Word and Excel, email, calendaring applications, etc.).Additional Qualifications and Skills

Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.

Sensitivity to working in a diverse user environment.

Ability to successfully deliver excellent customer service and prioritize service needs in a busy, dynamic public service environment required.

Strong project management skills.

Excellent oral and written communication skills required.

Academic library experience is strongly preferred.

Experience with library management system (particularly Ex Libris's Alma systems), ILLiad, and Springshare software.

Ability to solve problems effectively and exercise discerning judgment.

Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work productively in a team environment.

Ability to perform repetitive work tasks with overall accuracy, effectiveness, and attention to detail.

Adaptable, able to flexibly adjust to changing workplace needs. Please note that this is an all-hands-on deck environment, so flexibility regarding the range of daily activities is critical.Physical Requirements

This position involves frequent use of a computer keyboard and mouse.

This position involves standing or sitting at a service point, occasionally lifting and moving loads weighing more than 40 pounds and requires bending, squatting, stretching to pack collections, and climbing small step stools when needed to retrieve and shelve books.Working Conditions

This is an onsite position based at the Harvard Law School Library in Cambridge, MA. This position will work onsite 9am-5pm Monday - Friday. There may be the opportunity for a Hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University.

Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs. Requests for flexibility will be considered consistent with Harvard University flexwork policies.

Library hours may vary from the formal University calendar. The regular schedule for this position may include work on holidays, inclement weather, and official University closings. Assigned hours may change throughout the year based on the Academic Calendar or departmental needs at the beginning of the semester. Approval of requests for time off during these periods is at the discretion of the supervisor based on business need.

The work associated with this position is performed in a library/office setting where there may be limited exposure to collections that may contain dust, mold, or other contaminants.Additional Information

Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. The amount will vary based on the position and the candidate's relevant experience.Work Format Details

This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.

Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.

Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.

Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.

Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.

Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.

Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.

Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.

Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.Job Function Library

Department Office Location USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code 386056 Library Professional

Work Format On-Site

Sub-Unit *

Salary Grade 056

Department Access Services

Annual Salary Range $68,100 - $111,500

Union 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening Criminal, Employment, Identity

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Across the Harvard Library, our work is enriched by our diverse campus community. Our unique and wide-ranging abilities, experiences, and perspectives are integral to achieving Harvard University's mission of excellence in research, teaching, and learning for our patrons, our collections, and our workplace. We believe that an inclusive environment that cultivates and promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration across our diverse workforce enables our success.

We invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities to be a part of our community of over 700 staff members. Our work with faculty, students and researchers to explore answers to intellectual questions, enduring and new, and to seek solutions to the world's most consequential problems, requires that we not only reflect, but also champion our diverse society.

Harvard Library inspires collaboration, reflection, experimentation, and discovery connecting users to related disciplines and to University-wide teaching resources. The Library engages users through curated discovery, digital collections, reimagined physical space, and specialized research support. Today, Harvard Library's holdings range from traditional print collections to rapidly expanding access to digital resources. Harvard Library provides the University's faculty, students, and researchers-now and in the future-with exceptional experiences and comprehensive access to these materials.

Learn more about our contributions to the academic enterprise by visiting us at http://library.harvard.edu and about the Harvard University community at http://hr.harvard.edu/why-harvard.

The Harvard Library is a proud member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.EEO Statement We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.