Part-Time Serials Acquisitions and Management Library Assistant, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Posted March 17, 2017

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

This position is part of the Serials Acquisitions and Management group, a unit handling ordering, receiving, claiming, invoice processing, and onsite print serials management tasks for several libraries within the Harvard Library system. All members of this group are expected to participate fully in collaborative efforts toward building efficient workflows and problem solving. 

Under the supervision of the Manager of Serials Acquisitions and Management, the incumbent provides timely access to Harvard Library collections by handling receipt, claiming, physical processing, and onsite print serials management tasks for several libraries within the Harvard Library system.

Priorities will be set to maximize contributions to the overall goals of the Information and Technical Services Department of the Harvard Library. Due to the varied nature and volume of the work in ITS, all ITS staff may be called upon to contribute to work in any unit or team of the ITS department, as organizational needs warrant.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists with receipt of routine continuing resources in all formats, checking for accuracy and missing items
• Initiates routine claims and takes other corrective action for problem titles as needed, including correcting and updating records, entering notes in records as necessary
• Assists in the resolution of bibliographic, holdings, order and receipt problems
• Initiates binding procedure for serial publications, editing holdings and item records, as necessary
• Routes materials to appropriate locations for further processing
• May contribute to routine special projects, including documentation and statistics
• May serve as a source of information on established unit policies and procedures for other library staff
• Implements existing procedures, monitors effectiveness and suggests alternatives, as needed
• May assist with developing training and procedural documentation for unit
• Participates in unit-wide planning and workflow implementation of new policies and procedures
• May assist in training, scheduling, and distributing work to other staff or student workers
• Contributes to unit goals by accomplishing related duties as required

Basic Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows operating system and Windows software
• Demonstrated facility with automated systems, including using integrated library systems, 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
• Must be able to perform repetitive work accurately with fine attention to details

Additional Qualifications:

• College degree preferred
• Library experience, particularly experience in acquisitions or working with serial publications, preferred
• Experience working Aleph, desirable 
• Work experience in a production-oriented and technology-enhanced environment preferred
• Must have excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Must have excellent English language communication skills; familiarity with Western European languages desirable
• Ability to work productively and cooperatively in a team environment, with flexibility and versatility in an evolving work situation required
• Ability to work independently following established guidelines and procedures 

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. 

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter to [email protected]