Access Services Coordinator, Harvard Library, Cambridge, MA
Posted January 17, 2019
Access Services supports the Harvard Library mission by delivering a high standard of service; cultivating a welcoming environment that is supportive of academic research and inquiry; stewarding the university collection; and connecting the academic community to the vast array of library resources. We support the teaching and scholarly mission of the University through collaborative partnerships with the community of students, scholars and professionals at Harvard and beyond.
Reporting to the Access Services Manager at Widener Library, the Access Services Coordinator carries out various tasks at the Widener Library to provide access to Harvard Library and its collections. Under the general guidance of the Access Services Manager at Widener Library, the Access Services Coordinator performs a variety of advanced library duties requiring substantial knowledge of library systems and procedures to provide access to collections and process library materials. Working cooperatively with colleagues in Access Services and other Harvard Library units, this position supports a broad range of public services for library users and actively engages in cross-unit collaboration. This is a highly visible position responsible for exercising significant independent judgment, operating within a busy environment, actively assisting users, and monitoring multiple library functions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Student Workers: Assist with hiring, overseeing, and organizing the work of a large pool of student workers; supervise, train, schedule, and assign tasks to student workers; organize activities, distribute work, and oversee performance of daily tasks; address coverage gaps; approve and reconcile reported time for student workers
- Circulation: Open and close library and/or Access Services work areas including the Widener Billing and Privileges Office; perform tasks associated with the automated circulation system (charge/discharge and renew materials, create holds and recalls, change item statuses); communicate and enforce library policies; assist patrons with the use of the HOLLIS catalog and the library system to manage patron account information; process item requests; manage requests for off-site Depository materials; process incoming Harvard Depository materials and Harvard Direct transfers from other libraries; support security measures; supervise student workers
- Stacks Maintenance & Reshelving: Process materials for reshelving and reshelve materials; monitor and maintain collection stacks in proper order and oversee arrangement of items on shelves; supervise and assign tasks to student workers charged with re-shelving, ID checking, and stacks maintenance projects; participate in collection management projects
- Information Services: Answer informational and directional questions about Widener and other Harvard Libraries; use the HOLLIS catalog and Alma to locate materials and answer user questions; appropriately refer patrons with questions that require significant subject expertise; maintain an awareness of role of Access Services and its function within the Harvard Library and the University as a whole
The schedule for this position is Sun 12 from noon-8pm and Mon-Thu, 9am-5pm; hours subject to change based on annual academic cycle and department needs.
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.
Basic Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent work experience required
- Ability to successfully deliver excellent customer service and prioritize service needs in a busy, dynamic public service environment required
- Facility with standard office software (Microsoft Word and Excel, email, calendaring applications, etc.) required
- Excellent oral and written communication skills required
- 3+ years previous library or related experience required
- 1+ years supervisory experience required
Additional Qualifications
- College degree preferred
- Experience with an online library catalog and management system (particularly Ex Libris’s Alma system) and familiarity with electronic academic library resources preferred
- Sensitivity to working in a diverse user environment
- Ability to solve problems effectively and exercise discerning judgment
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work productively in a team environment
- Ability to perform repetitive work tasks with overall accuracy, effectiveness, and attention to detail
- Adaptable, able to flexibly adjust to changing workplace needs
- This position involves regularly lifting and moving loads weighing up to 50 pounds; must be able to push heavy library book trucks
- This position requires bending, squatting, stretching, and climbing small step stools when needed to retrieve books and shelve them
To view the complete position description and to apply, go to https://hr.harvard.edu/search-