Library Assistant, Botany Libraries, Harvard University, Boston, MA

Posted December 10, 2015

The Harvard University Herbaria house five comprehensive, non-circulating research libraries which are managed collectively as the Botany Libraries. The combined collections, totaling more than 250,000 volumes, are rich repositories of rare books, manuscripts, field notes, and historical correspondence, as well as current monographs, journals and electronic media. The Libraries support the academic and research interests of the faculty and researchers of the Harvard University Herbaria and are open to an international community of scholars.

The Botany Libraries seek a graduate student to work part time starting January 2016. The library assistant will report directly to the Reference Librarian.

Duties include regular circulation/reference desk shifts during which the library assistant will be responsible for answering phones and directing calls, checking bags, registering and orienting visitors, referring users to appropriate staff, paging and shelving books, data entry, and clerical support.     

The library assistant will also assist with digitization and scanning project tasks, shelf reading projects, basic book processing, archival processing, updating web pages and other duties as assigned.

 

Requirements:  A service oriented nature; excellent communications skills; the ability to work with a diverse group of library users; familiarity with Microsoft Office programs; ability to lift up to 40 lbs; attention to detail a must; ability to function cooperatively in a work team with flexibility and versatility in an evolving work situation. 

Salary: Library Assistants are paid $13.00 per hour.

Hours: The Botany Libraries are open from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM from Monday through Friday.

The library assistant will cover a combination of morning shifts (9:00 to 1:00) and afternoon shifts (1:00-5:00), ideally including at least 2 afternoon shifts per week. Hours should total 12-16, but no more than 17, hours per week.

Contact:  Gretchen Wade, Reference & Collection Development Librarian

Phone: 496-1025  

Please send a copy of your resume and cover letter to [email protected]

Please note that application review will begin after January 1, 2016.