Library Assistant, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Posted August 17, 2016

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 Acquisitions Section, the incumbent helps various Acquisitions units by providing  timely access to Harvard Library collections by performing  a variety of acquisitions and copy cataloging duties for monographs and serials in multiple languages and 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

• Places orders via Aleph and other systems as appropriate for materials and library workflows within Acquisitions, following bibliographers’ directives regarding materials, vendor and fund assignments.
• Processes shipments of new materials by receiving titles in Aleph, verifying accuracy of vendor invoices and issuing payments in Aleph, paying careful attention to funding sources as designated by bibliographers.
• Searches bibliographic and related data in catalogs and online databases (vendor databases, OCLC, websites, etc.) for the purpose of ordering, receiving and cataloging material and updating bibliographic information in Aleph.
• Creates, edits and reviews bibliographic, holdings and item records for materials in all formats and multiple languages according to established guidelines.
• Works on the resolution of routine order, receipt, invoice, bibliographic and holdings problems.
• Participates in routine cataloging, using prepared copy and/or existing data; edits bibliographic holdings and item record data for materials in all formats according to established guidelines.
• Communicates with vendors, publishers, bibliographers and financial personnel; conducts professional correspondence when needed to solve problems or follow up on orders.
• Maintains the privacy of patron records and protects high risk/confidential information contained in University records.
• May serve as a source of information on established policies and procedures for library patrons and staff.
• Works according to changing daily priorities, demonstrates flexibility and the ability to shift between multiple tasks effectively.
• Implements existing procedures, monitors effectiveness and suggests alternatives, as needed.
• Participates in unit-wide planning and implementation of new policies and procedures.
• May contribute to routine special projects, including documentation and statistics.
• May assist in training, scheduling and distributing work to other staff or student workers.
• May assist with developing training and procedural documentation for unit.
• Contributes to overall goals of the department as appropriate.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows operating system and Windows software.
• 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.
• Excellent English language communication skills.
• Must have excellent organizational written communication and analytical skills.
• Competency in keyboarding.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree preferred.
• Library experience, particularly experience in acquisitions or with serial publications, strongly preferred.
• Experience working with integrated library systems, particularly Aleph, desirable.
• Familiarity with at least one foreign language desirable.
• Work experience in a production-oriented and technology-enhanced environment preferred.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to perform repetitive work accurately with fine attention to detail.
• Ability to work productively and cooperatively in a team environment, with flexibility and versatility in an evolving work situation.
• Ability to work independently following established guidelines and procedures.

To learn more or apply for these roles, please visit: http://hr.harvard.edu/search-jobs

Enter in the Auto Req ID Field:  40246BR (Library Assistant IV)