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Serial Acquisitions Library Assistant, Harvard Library, Cambridge, MA

Posted May 16, 2019

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 Serials Acquisitions unit within the Electronic Resources and Serials Section, under the supervision of the Manager for Serials Acquisitions, the incumbent provides timely access to Harvard Library collections by performing activities in support of the acquisition, receipt, and maintenance fo serials and e-resources acquired for the Harvard Library’s collections
 
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 

  • Receipt of routine and some complex continuing resources in all formats, checking for accuracy and missing items
  • Triages incoming materials from other units within the libraries, directing them into appropriate workflows or to Collection Development staff, as appropriate
  • Processes serial orders, renewals, and memberships
  • Processes invoices in Alma for continuing resource materials received by the library
  • Sets up prediction patterns for appropriate titles in Alma
  • Works on resolution of routine and some complex order, receipt, invoice, bibliographic and holdings problems
  • Initiates routine claims and takes other corrective action for problem titles as needed, including correcting and updating records, entering notes in records as necessary
  • Creates, reviews and edits bibliographic, holdings and item record data for materials in all formats according to established guidelines
  • Serves as a source of information on established policies and procedures for library patrons and staff.
  • May contribute to or oversee special projects, including documentation and statistics
  • Works according to changing daily priorities, demonstrates flexibility and ability to shift between multiple tasks effectively
  • Participates in unit-wide planning and implementation of new policies and procedures
  • Suggests innovations and generates ideas for improving workflows and creating efficiencies
  • Assists with developing training and procedural documentation for unit
  • May assist in hiring, training, scheduling, and distributing work to other staff or student workers.
  • Contributes to the 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
  • Competency in keyboarding 
  • Previous library or related work experience required
  • Reading knowledge of one Western European language required

 

Additional Qualifications

  • College degree preferred
  • Must have excellent organizational, written communication and analytical skills
  • Experience in library acquisitions or working with serial publications strongly preferred
  • 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
  • Must be able to perform repetitive work accurately with fine attention to details
  • Ability to work productively and cooperatively in a team environment, with flexibility and versatility in an evolving work situation required 
  • Ability to work independently to perform complex tasks
  • Experience with automated library systems preferred
  • Library acquisitions and basic cataloging experience strongly preferred
  • Ability to meet project deadlines
  • Commitment to be part of a continuous learning environment, updating skills as required to perform job duties

 

Additional Information

Physical Demands

  • Keyboarding for at least 6 hours a day may be required.
  • Employee must be able handle books and other library material, including moving and shifting these materials between workstations, shelves, book trucks and boxes.

To view the full position and apply, please visit the following link. 

 

EEO Statement

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, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.