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Temporary Library Assistant, Technical Services, Countway Library, Boston, MA

Posted June 11, 2015

Duties/Description:

Information and Technical Services actively supports the teaching and research mission of the Harvard Library by
managing monograph, serial and e-resource acquisitions, metadata creation, and metadata management for the Harvard Library.

As a member of the Technical Services unit at Countway Library, within the E-Resources and Serials Section, under the supervision of the ER&S Head, the incumbent provides timely access to Harvard Library collections by performing a variety of acquisitions and cataloging duties for monographs in multiple formats.

Priorities will be set to maximize contributions to the overall goals of the Information and Technical Services Department of the Harvard Library. Staff may be called upon to apply their skills and/or receive additional training in order to contribute to work in other ITS units or teams as occasional, short-term needs occur.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Initiates book and e-book orders from various vendors, using Aleph, vendor databases, and Internet sources, making appropriate choices to meet patron deadlines and contain costs of expedited processing
  • Places orders for time sensitive materials such as patron requests and course reserves
  • Creates, reviews and edits order, bibliographic, holdings, and item record data for materials in all formats according to established guidelines
  • Searches bibliographic and related data in catalogs and online databases (vendor databases, websites, OCLC, etc.) for purposes of placing orders and updating bibliographic information in HOLLIS
  • Uses multiple vendor databases and other online sources to conduct business efficiently
  • Performs routine copy cataloging
  • Organizes and processes materials received as gifts and other book-in-hand material.
  • Processes materials for withdrawal
  • Tracks funds and monitors expenditures.
  • Works on resolution of routine order, bibliographic, and holdings problems
  • Communicates with vendors, publishers, bibliographers, and financial personnel; conducts professional correspondence when needed to solve problems or follow up on orders.
  • Maintains related records and statistics
  • Collaborates with other units within Information and Technical Services, Access Services, Interlibrary Loan, Collection Development, and Public Services in order to ensure prompt and timely response to all external and internal user requests
  • Contributes to routine special projects as well as day-to-day processing functions, including maintaining related records and statistics
  • Implements existing procedures, monitors effectiveness, and suggests alternatives, as needed.
  • Communicates with patrons regarding the status of requested titles

Qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Must have excellent English language communication skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Windows operating system and Windows software required
  • Demonstrated facility with automated systems, including using online databases, working with spreadsheets and knowledge of file management techniques
  • Demonstrated experience using technology to perform daily tasks
  • Must have excellent organizational, written communication and analytical skills
  • Competency in keyboarding required
  • Previous library or related work experience required

Additional Requirements:

  • College degree preferred
  • Work experience in a production-oriented and technology-enhanced environment preferred
  • Must have excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills
  • Must be able to perform repetitive work accurately with fine attention to details
  • Library acquisitions and basic cataloging experience strongly preferred
  • Ability to work productively and cooperatively in a team environment, with flexibility and versatility in an evolving work situation
  • Ability to work independently to perform complex tasks
  • Facility with automated and library systems preferred
  • Ability to meet project deadlines

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

Salary:

commensurate with experience

Send:

Please send applications and inquiries to the following: [email protected]

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