Assistant Head of Access Services, Beinecke Library, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Posted September 4, 2015
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Requisition: 33445BR
Yale University offers exciting opportunities for achievement and growth in New Haven, Connecticut. Conveniently located between Boston and New York, New Haven is the creative capital of Connecticut with cultural resources that include two major art museums, a critically-acclaimed repertory theater, state-of-the-art concert hall, and world-renowned schools of Architecture, Art, Drama, and Music.
Position Focus: Reporting to the Head of Access Services of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Assistant Head of Access Services directs day-to-day unit operations in a department which provides frontline services to over 2,000 researchers, supervises 8,000 visits, retrieves nearly 20,000 items for patrons, staff, and events, coordinates nearly 600 classroom sessions, and processes nearly 2,000 reproduction requests annually. Trains, evaluates, motivates, and develops 17 clerical and technical staff. Fosters a creative, collaborative, and team oriented work-environment and facilitates communication and coordination within Beinecke and the University Library. Ensures positive patron interactions with frontline public services staff by maintaining strong knowledge of Beinecke’s collections and policies. Actively participates in reference activities in collaboration with the reference librarian and other curatorial staff. Collaborates with technical services staff to facilitate access to collections. Works with other Access Services units across the Yale University Library System to coordinate access services policies, improve services, and facilitate a common user experience.
The Assistant Head of Access Services must have a strong commitment to public service, a proven ability to interact effectively and productively with diverse individuals and groups, and an understanding of and commitment to the role of technology in special collections. The incumbent will provide leadership, instill high standards of service and administer the department’s resources to provide excellent services.
Provides assistance as necessary for other library programs — outreach, instruction, orientations, exhibitions, and tours. Contributes to long range departmental planning. Represents the department and Library in the academic and professional community by serving on various committees and task forces. Acts as Department Head in the absence of the Head. Will be expected to cover some evening hours. Is expected to be active professionally.
Required Education and Experience:
- Qualified individuals new to the library profession are welcome to apply.
- Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school.
- Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communications and analytical ability.
- Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion.
- Experience working collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations.
- Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing, team environment
- Demonstrated skills supervising staff and managing services. Demonstrated background in public services.
- Strong commitment to service and ability to work with a diverse community.
- Excellent management skills with a strong commitment to fostering growth and development of others.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze problems, especially in the context of technology.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively to develop productive partnerships within/across organizations. Effective ability in developing innovative processes and solutions with a team-based approach.
Yale University assigns ranks to librarian positions based on a combination of professional experience and accomplishments (see range assigned to this description as noted in the posting position title). Librarian ranking information can be found at: http://www.library.yale.edu/about/departments/lhr/rank.html.
Preferred Education, Skills and Experience: 2-5 years professional experience. Experience in a labor union environment. Experience working with special collections. Experience working with Aeon including creating documentation and implementation. Knowledge of one language other than English.
The University and the Library
The Yale University Library, as one of the world’s leading research libraries, collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to and services for a rich and unique record of human thought and creativity. It fosters intellectual growth and supports the teaching and research missions of Yale University and scholarly communities worldwide. A distinctive strength is its rich spectrum of resources, including around 12.8 million volumes and information in all media, ranging from ancient papyri to early printed books to electronic databases. The Library is engaging in numerous projects to expand access to its physical and digital collections. Housed in eighteen buildings including the Sterling Memorial Library, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the Bass Library, it employs a dynamic and diverse staff of approximately five hundred who offer innovative and flexible services to library readers. For additional information on the Yale University Library, please visit the Library’s web site at www.library.yale.edu.
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library:
The Beinecke Library is Yale’s principal repository for literary archives, early manuscripts, and rare books. One of the great collections in North America, the Beinecke collections are internationally known and heavily used by scholars from around the world. For further information about the Beinecke Library, consult the library’s web site at: http://www.library.yale.edu/beinecke .
Salary and Benefits:
We invite you to discover the excitement, diversity, rewards and excellence of a career at Yale University. One of the country’s great workplaces, Yale University offers exciting opportunities for meaningful accomplishment and true growth. Our benefits package is among the best anywhere, with a wide variety of insurance choices, liberal paid time off, fantastic family and educational benefits, a variety of retirement benefits, extensive recreational facilities, and much more.
How to apply: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications, consisting of a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references should be submitted by applying online at http://www.yale.edu/jobs. The STARS req. ID for this position is 33445BR. Please be sure to reference 33445BR in your cover letter.
Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.