Access Services Coordinator, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Posted May 9, 2016
Under direction, this position performs a combination of complex duties within the Access Services Department to provide access to the Harvard Library collection. Work is performed with a high degree of judgment and latitude, and requires substantial knowledge of library organization, systems, and procedures. This full-time position reports to the Head of Access for Arts, Design and Music Libraries and is based in the Fine Arts Library. Assigned hours are Monday, 2pm-10pm; Tuesday, 1pm-10pm; Wednesday, 1pm-10pm; Thursday, 2pm-10pm; Friday, 1pm-6pm.
Library hours may vary from the formal University calendar. The regular schedule for this position may include work on holidays, inclement weather and official University closings. Assigned hours may change throughout the year based on the Academic Calendar. Approval for requests for time off during these periods is at the discretion of the supervisor based on business need.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Circulation: opens and closes the library; performs tasks associated with the automated circulation system (charges/discharges and renews materials, creates holds and recalls); provides access to Special Collection and monitors requests using Aeon; assists in delivering Special Collections items to faculty for use in the classroom; communicates and enforces library policies; assists patrons with the use of the HOLLIS catalog; assist with day-to-day shelving and shelf-reading as needed; locates materials on shelves and physically assists patrons in finding library material; collects and maintains departmental statistics; processes item requests; manages requests for off-site depository materials; supports library and collection security measures; assigns carrels/shelves to patrons in accordance to library policy; may print products and follows procedures for recalls from carrel and shelf holders; may collect fines; may assist in tracing missing books.
- Information Services: provides basic reference and information services, offers assistance and instruction in the use of library catalog and online resources commonly used in history of art research; instructs patrons in use of equipment (self-serve scanner and microfilm reader); refers complex reference questions to specialized research staff.
- Student Workers: may assist in hiring, training, scheduling, supervising, and assigning work to access services student workers; may assist with student payroll and payroll communications. .
- Resource Sharing: assists with resource sharing activities including processing such as Scan & Deliver, Interlibrary Loan, and Borrow Direct workflows.
- Course Reserves: assists patrons with access to reserve collections; may assist with course reserve processing; may coordinate with faculty and teaching staff about course reserve requests; may communicate course reserve policies and procedures to faculty and teaching staff; may maintain course reserve collections.
- Library Equipment: maintains supplies in public copiers, scanners and printers; troubleshoots and provides basic maintenance; places service calls; collects statistics for public copiers.
- Physical Facility: monitors physical facility and overall use of the library; initiates calls for building issues and emergencies as needed; assists users with disabilities in accessing materials.
- Other Duties and Responsibilities: attends Library-affiliated discussions and working groups; participates in team and department-wide meetings; collaborates effectively with team members and Harvard Library colleagues; may cross-train to work in Access Services departments in other Harvard libraries; may lead special projects; may serve on library-wide working groups; other projects and duties as assigned.
• High school diploma or equivalent education required
• Strong public service orientation, with previous library or customer service experience required
• Demonstrated experience showing attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
• Computer skills must include Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel
- College degree strongly preferred
- Study in history of art/architecture or arts-related field strongly preferred
- Academic library experience is strongly preferred
- Supervisory experience is strongly preferred
- Experience with a library management system, especially Ex Libris’ Aleph system preferred
- Experience hiring, training, scheduling, and distributing work to student or temporary staff preferred
- Bibliographic facility in western European languages preferred
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to effectively solve problems and exercise discerning judgment
- Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions; follow through to completion
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work productively in a team environment, with minimal supervision
- Ability to be flexible and respond positively to fluctuating work flow and change
- Sensitivity to working in a diverse user environment
- This position involves frequent use of computer keyboard and mouse; Additionally requires occasionally lifting and moving loads weighing in excess of 25 pounds and requires bending, squatting, stretching and climbing small step stools when needed to retrieve books and shelve them; Located in a library setting, there may be limited exposure to dust and dirt
Access Services
Access Services actively supports the teaching and research mission of the Harvard Library by providing circulation, privileges, and other public services as well as operations such as the Harvard Depository, inter-library loan, and collection management that facilitate virtual and physical access to information resources within and outside the University. Access Services staff members are expected to provide these services at the highest level of patron satisfaction while utilizing best practices to meet patron needs. Additionally, Access Services staff members are committed to delivering high-quality customer service; timely access to collections; maintaining the integrity and security of library resources and materials; and accommodating user needs in accordance with the priorities and objectives of the Harvard Library.
Harvard Library
In the course of 375 years, Harvard’s Library has grown from a single collection of 400 volumes to a 73-unit library system whose holdings include nearly 17 million volumes, more than 21 million digital files, 10 million microforms, 8 million photographs, and an estimated 400 million manuscript items.
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We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.