Collection Development Librarian, Harvard College Library, Cambridge, MA
Posted May 11, 2015
The Collection Development Librarian performs and guides collection development activities and related processes for the Fine Arts Library. S/he is directly responsible for selection of print and electronic publications at the research level for the Americas, Western Europe and portions of Eastern Europe (from antiquity to 1900), Africa, Australasia, Oceania, and other Pacific nations. Responsibilities include working creatively and collaboratively with selectors for Islamic, East Asian, modern and contemporary, and Special Collections in the Fine Arts Library. The Collection Development Librarian will actively participate in aligning the Fine Arts Library with the FAS Libraries Collections and Content Development Council charter and objectives. He/she will seek collaborations with Harvard College Library colleagues, the libraries of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the Harvard Library. The Collection Development Librarian will monitor acquisition budgets and fund assignments for 8,000-10,000 titles annually, initiating and maintaining efficient acquisitions and processing workflows with Library Information Technology staff. She/he will create routine and customized acquisitions and collections reports using COGNOS and other tools. Essential outreach responsibilities include maintaining creative and proactive relationships with History of Art and Architecture, the Harvard Art Museums, and disciplines that rely upon or have an affinity with Fine Arts Library collections for teaching and research. The incumbent will participate in local and national professional art library organizations and arts divisions of other Library organizations with the objective of developing best practices and innovative partnerships for the Fine Arts Library.
Typical Duties & Responsibilities:
- Perform monograph and serial collection development processes in the Fine Arts Library for the Americas, Western Europe and portions of Eastern Europe (from antiquity to 1900), Africa, Australasia, Oceania, and other southern Pacific nations in all formats.
- Work together with the Librarian and other Fine Arts Library selectors to acquire antiquarian monographs, serials, and primary sources.
- Actively contribute to relevant Harvard College and Harvard Library collection development committees, councils, and innovative projects.
- Maintain and update Fine Arts Library collection policy in consultation with FAL selectors and collection development colleague across the Harvard Libraries.
- Continuously evaluate print and digital publication trends in art history, architectural history, and the fine and applied arts.
- Communicate regularly about current and emerging research areas and interests with faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, Harvard Art Museum educators, curators, fellows, and interns, and visiting scholars.
- Exchange information and best practices proactively with selectors in the Harvard College Library and across the Harvard Libraries for shared purchases, purchase recommendations, and intentional duplication.
- Contribute to collaborative collection development and digital projects with external partners, e.g., Ivies Art and Architecture Group.
- Create and maintain in-depth and relevant content for multiple web presences for Fine Arts Library collections and collection-related events and news.
- Assess collection strengths and correct weaknesses for curricular and research support.
- Establish and maintain effective and efficient relationships with approval, firm order, and antiquarian vendors and booksellers.
- Work together with the Librarian and other Fine Arts Library selectors to negotiate and acknowledge gifts of materials and funds
- Work proactively and collaboratively with Information Technology Services staff to insure consistent and efficient vendor relations and processing routines.
- Work proactively and collaboratively with Access Services collection management staff to plan for collection care, and stack space planning, and ongoing transfer of materials to the Harvard Depository
- Work proactively and collaboratively with Preservation, Conservation, and Digital Imaging on disaster planning, collections care guidelines, environmental concerns, and digital preservation and access projects
- Provide research assistance to library patrons, as needed.
- Supervisory Responsibilities: Supervise student staff and/or interns, as needed.
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in library and/or information science or equivalent experience.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in collection development/acquisitions required.
- Extensive in-depth knowledge of the field of Art and Architectural History
- Working knowledge of Western European languages.
- Hands-on experience with library systems acquisitions, budgeting, and reporting applications.
- Expert level experience with arts and humanities databases and other digital research tools.
- Experience working with book publishing and the book trade.
- Technical proficiency in data management and social media applications.
Additional Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in Art History, or equivalent, preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.