Research Public Services Librarian, Countway Library, (temporarily remote) Boston, MA
Posted September 27, 2021
Description:
Working as a member of the Research and Instruction Team (R&I), the Public Services Librarian will report to the Manager of Research and Instruction and will provide front-line services for patrons of the Countway Library within the framework of the library’s mission and strategic plan. This patron group includes, but is not limited to, students and faculty from Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the Chan School of Public Health, members of the Boston Medical Library, users in the Longwood Medical Area, the general public, and, significantly, clinical faculty and Harvard residents within the 16 Harvard affiliated hospitals/institutions. The successful candidate for this entry-level position will be expected to participate in professional development and training (e.g., National Library of Medicine PubMed training opportunities) in order to learn and understand the basics of health sciences librarianship.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Serves as a member of the Research and Instruction Team to ensure our guiding principles are at the forefront of our work with our community
• Assists Countway users in locating and obtaining Evidence-Based information from within the library’s online and print collections, other Harvard University collections, the collections of consortial partners (e.g. ReCAP/Borrow Direct), and/or via Interlibrary Loan
• Fields incoming questions via email, the SpringShare LibAnswers system platform, phone, or in-person. Answer when able/appropriate or triages/refers to appropriate R&I librarians or other departments/staff within the Countway.
• Answers general public health information questions
• Available to work one weekend day and evening shifts. May need to close or open the library.
• Participates in training opportunities to improve skills in searching/mediated searching and using medical, dental medicine, and public health databases and resources
• Provides basic support to users engaged in catalog use, database searching, and citation management software
• Participates with R&I staff and leadership in continued strategic planning and program development
• Seeks opportunities within the Countway and Harvard University Libraries to serve on committees/counsels/task forces in order to support the larger mission of Harvard Library
• Works with various members of the current Countway staff in a programmatic fashion (that will be developed) to learn or enhance skills in all areas of academic health sciences operation. A focus will be on advanced searching skills but other areas to be covered will be collection and knowledge management, archives, outreach, and instruction
Basic Qualifications:
Master’s of Library Science or equivalent relevant graduate degree required.
0 or more years of relevant experience
Additional Qualifications and Skills:
- Basic understanding of library technology systems (e.g., Integrated Library Systems, database structures) and practices.
- User centered services perspective.
Additional Information:
This is a two-year term position from date of hire with possibility of extension, contingent on continued funding to support the position.
Harvard Medical School does support flexible schedules, subject to individual departments’ business needs.
Grade 56 starting salary is $62,700
How to Apply:
Apply through Harvard’s website: