Access Services Assistant, Harvard Library(Cambridge, MA)
Posted October 12, 2021
Description:
Access Services actively supports the teaching and research mission of the Harvard Library by delivering a high standard of service; cultivating a welcoming environment that is supportive to 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.
This full-time position is based in the Harvard Divinity School Library (HDSL) and reports to the Access Services Librarian in HDSL. Under general guidance, and in support of the mission of the Harvard Divinity School Library, this position performs duties of an advanced nature within Access Services to facilitate access to the Harvard Library collections while maintaining an earnest commitment to excellent service. Work is performed with a high degree of judgment and latitude, and requires substantial knowledge of library organization, systems, and procedures. Assigned hours are Monday – Friday 8:45am-4:45pm.
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 or departmental needs at the beginning of the semester. Approval for requests for time off during these periods is at the discretion of the supervisor based on business need.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
- Circulation: opens and/or closes the library; performs tasks associated with the automated circulation system (e.g. charges/discharges and renews materials, creates holds, etc.); communicates and enforces library policies; assists patrons with the use of the HOLLIS catalog; assists with day-to-day shelving and shelf- reading as needed; locates materials on shelves and physically assists patrons in finding library material; processes item requests and item deliveries from interlibrary courier; manages requests for off-site storage materials; supports library and collection security measures; assigns carrels/shelves to patrons in accordance to library policy; collects and maintains departmental statistics.
- Resource Sharing: assists with resource sharing activities including Scan & Deliver and Borrow Direct workflows.
- Information Services: provides basic information services, offers instruction in the use of library catalog and online resources; instructs patrons in use of equipment (such as microfilm reader); refers complex reference questions to specialized research staff. Assists users with disabilities in accessing materials.
- Student Workers: hires, trains, schedules and supervises, and assigns work to access services student workers; assists with student payroll and payroll communications.
- Collections: provides access to onsite collections, offsite collections, and Special Collections; manages requests for off-site depository materials; supports library and collection security and emergency procedures; assists in tracing missing books.
- Course Reserves: assists patrons with access to physical and digital reserves; may assist with course reserves processing; may coordinate with faculty and teaching staff about course reserve requests; may communicate course reserve policies and procedures to faculty and teaching staff.
- Library Equipment: maintains supplies in public copiers, scanners, and printers; troubleshoots and provides basic maintenance; places service calls.
- Physical Facility: monitors physical facility and overall use of the library; initiates calls for building issues and emergencies as needed.
- Other Duties and Responsibilities: attends Library-affiliated discussions and working groups; participates in team and department-wide meetings; collaborates effectively with team members and Harvard Library colleagues; cross-trains to work in Access Services departments in other Harvard libraries; may lead special projects; may serve on library-wide working groups; other projects and duties as assigned.
Basic Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent education or experience required
- Previous library or customer service related experience
How to apply:
For full job description and to apply please click the link below: