Library Assistant IV, Harvard Library, Cambridge, MA

Posted September 10, 2014

Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Head of Access Services for Humanities & Social Sciences Libraries, the Access Services Specialist carries out various tasks at the Lamont Library to provide access to Harvard Library and its collections. Under the general supervision of the Access Services Team Leader at Lamont Library, the Access Services Specialist performs a variety of skilled library duties to provide access to collections and process library materials. This highly visible position regularly serves as the only Access Services staff member on duty, covering evening and weekend hours, operating in a busy environment and actively assisting users while monitoring multiple library functions. Please note that this is a part time weekend position with the following hours: Fridays 6:30pm to 10pm, Saturdays 2pm to 10pm and Sundays 4pm to 10pm; hours subject to change based on annual academic cycle and department needs

Circulation: Open and close library and/or Access Services work areas; perform tasks associated with the automated circulation system (charge/discharge and renew materials, create holds and recalls, change item statuses); communicate and enforce library policies; assist patrons with the use of the HOLLIS catalog and the library system to manage patron account information; process item requests; manage requests for off-site Depository materials; process incoming Harvard Depository materials/transfers from other libraries; support security measures; supervise student workers.
Course Reserves: Process course reserve requests and perform physical processing of reserve materials; supervise student workers processing reserve materials, communicates reserve policies/procedures to students, faculty, & teaching staff.
Stacks Maintenance & Reshelving: Process materials for reshelving and reshelve materials; monitor and maintain collection stacks in proper order and oversee arrangement of books on shelves; supervise and assign tasks to student workers charged with reshelving and stacks maintenance projects; participates in collection management projects.
Information Services: Answer informational and directional questions about Lamont and other Harvard Libraries; use the HOLLIS catalog and Aleph to locate materials and answer user questions; appropriately refer patrons with questions that are complex, detailed, or require significant subject expertise; maintain an awareness of role of Access Services and its function within the Harvard Library and the University as a whole.
Resource Sharing: Support resource sharing activities, including processing Scan & Deliver workflows and overseeing student workers; help troubleshoot workflow or equipment problems.
Library Equipment: Maintain, troubleshoot, and coordinate service maintenance for public photocopiers and scanners, public computer workstations, public printers, and microform readers; assist patrons in using Crimson Cash and/or local School-based print accounts.
Student Workers: Supervise, train, adjust schedules, and assign tasks to student workers; oversee performance of daily tasks; address coverage gaps.
Physical Facility: Monitor building; maintain awareness of physical condition, use of space, etc.; identify and resolve/report problems as appropriate; conduct periodic building walkthroughs & clear building at closing time; assists users with disabilities in accessing materials.
Privileges: Provide basic support for Lamont privileges when the Privileges Office is closed; create/issue visitor passes.
Fines & Billing: Provide patrons with basic information regarding overdue fines owed and refer patrons to the library billing office as appropriate.
Other: Resolve problems for users through the use and interpretation of established guidelines; collect and record information about library usage, workflows, and processes; effectively communicate with library patrons and colleagues in person, by telephone, and through email and other electronic media; may occasionally support Access Services activities in other units

Basic Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent work experience required
Ability to successfully deliver excellent customer service and prioritize service needs in a busy, dynamic public service environment required
Facility with standard office software (Microsoft Word and Excel, email, calendaring applications, etc.) required
Excellent oral and written communication skills required

Additional Qualifications:

College degree or college-level coursework preferred
Previous library or related work experience preferred
Experience with an online library catalog and management system (particularly Ex Libris Aleph system) and familiarity with electronic academic library resources preferred
Sensitivity to working in a diverse user environment
Ability to solve problems effectively and exercise discerning judgment
Some supervisory experience preferred
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
Ability to lift and move loads weighing up to 50 pounds; must be able to push heavy library book trucks
Requires bending, squatting, stretching, and climbing small step stools when needed to retrieve books and shelve them