Job Details

Harvard University

02-Dec-2019
Access Services Specialist
Harvard Library
50155BR


Job Summary

Access Services actively supports the mission of the Harvard Library by delivering a high standard of service; cultivating a welcoming 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.

This full-time position reports to the Access Services Librarian, Frances Loeb Library, Graduate School of Design and the Tozzer Library for Anthropology and Archaeology. This position is based in the Frances Loeb Library at the Graduate School of Design and will also be expected to support the Tozzer Library in the evening when the need arises.

Under direction, and in support of the missions of the Frances Loeb Library, Tozzer Library, and Harvard Library, this position performs a combination of complex duties within Access Services to facilitate access to the Harvard Library collections while maintaining an earnest commitment to excellent service. Work is performed within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and established practices and precedents requiring an understanding of library-wide procedures.

Assigned hours are: Sunday, 12pm - 8pm; Monday - Thursday, 2pm - 10pm

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 for requests for time off during these periods is at the discretion of the supervisor based on business need.


Job Code
403072 Library Assistant V

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• 
  Circulation: opens and closes the library; performs tasks associated with the automated circulation system (i.e., charges/discharges and renews materials, creates holds and recalls); communicates and enforces library policies; locates materials on shelves and physically assists patrons in finding library material; traces missing items; processes item requests and item deliveries from interlibrary courier; manages requests for off-site storage materials; supports library and collection security measures.
• 
  Information Services: provides basic reference and information service to patrons; triages reference questions submitted online and in person; refers complex reference questions to specialized research staff following established protocols; records transaction statistics; provides instruction in the use of Harvard's online library catalog (HOLLIS) and other online resources commonly used in art and design research.
• 
  Collections: oversees and performs workflows for collections maintenance and re-shelving; processes serials collections for binding prep; conducts shelf-reading and shifting of collections to maintain proper order; maintains accurate stacks labels and signage; maintains records and statistics related to collections maintenance; assists with loanable technology, working closely with the Computer Resources Group in the Design school; may assist with special collections reshelving, may staff the special collections reading room, and may assist patrons with the handling of special collection materials.
• 
  Student Workers: may assist in hiring, scheduling, training, and assigning work to Access Services student workers.
• 
  Resource Sharing: assists with resource sharing activities (i.e., Scan & Deliver, Interlibrary Loan, and Harvard/Borrow Direct).
• 
  Other Libraries: provides oversight of students working in the Tozzer Library on Sundays and in the evenings during the academic year.
• 
  Studio Abroad: provides access to library material to participants in studio abroad programs; collects, processes, and sends material to studio contact; works with studio contact to ensure materials are returned at the end of the semester.
• 
  Equipment and Technology: provides instruction to patrons in the use of circulating technology; instructs patrons in the use of library equipment, including scanners, self-checkout machine and microfilm reader; troubleshoots equipment and maintains supplies in public copiers, scanners and printers; places service calls as needed.
• 
  Physical Facility: monitors physical facility and overall use of the library; may initiate calls for building issues and emergencies as needed; assists users with disabilities in accessing materials; gathers statistics around space usage such as head-counts and gate counts.
• 
  Other Duties and Responsibilities: attends Library-affiliated discussions and working groups; participates in team and department-wide meetings; works closely with collections and research and teaching team members at the Design Library; collaborates with team members and Harvard Library colleagues; may cross-train to work in Access Services Departments in other Harvard libraries; may help lead special projects.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education
• Previous library or related customer service experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Additional Qualifications

• College degree preferred

• Study in architecture or design-related field strongly preferred

• Experience with a library management system, especially Ex Libris' Alma system preferred

• Academic library experience preferred

• Supervisory experience preferred

• Experience hiring, training, scheduling, and distributing work to student or temporary staff preferred

• Bibliographic facility in western European languages preferred

• Demonstrated public service orientation and ability to provide exceptional service to library patrons

• Ability to prioritize and skillfully address patron needs in a busy and dynamic work environment

• Ability to exercise discerning judgment and sound decision-making

• Ability to effectively troubleshoot and problem- solve

• Ability to meet deadlines, exercise follow-though, and honor commitments

• Ability to respond positively to fluctuating workflows and changes in routine

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Strong attention to detail

• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to efficiently coordinate tasks, as well as maintain order

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks with overall accuracy and effectiveness

• Ability to work productively in a team environment, with minimal supervision

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with coworkers and patrons

• Sensitivity to working in a diverse user environment

Additional Information

Diversity and Inclusion at the Harvard Library

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.



Job Function
Library

Sub Unit
------------

Location
USA - MA - Cambridge

Department
Harvard Library - Access Services

Time Status
Full-time

Union
55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Salary Grade
052

Pre-Employment Screening
Criminal, Identity

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.



Apply Here