Collection Management Assistant, Harvard Libraries, Cambridge, MA
Posted August 11, 2022
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.
As a member of the Collection Management Team, under the supervision of the Widener and Lamont Stacks and Collection Management Manager, this position provides timely access to Harvard Library collections by performing a variety of tasks required to ensure that materials are ready for patron use, including the application of appropriate security and ownership treatments consistent with the HL preservation guidelines. Collection Management (CM) staff and teams are responsible for all activities related to the physical collections.
Position Description
- Prepares library materials for shelving in open stacks and offsite storage following established guidelines and procedures:
- sorts incoming materials for treatment
- uses an automated label system to scan, edit, and print out call number labels
- applies call number labels to the spines of volumes
- adheres security devices
- applies ownership stamps
- handles all materials in a manner consistent with preservation policies, evaluates circulating collections for repair, housing, and special processing
- Performs quality control on Direct to Destination (DTD) and shelf ready materials, including review of bibliographic information of materials.
- Packs material onto book trucks or into bins for transfer to library stacks or offsite storage.
- Uses Alma to conduct quality control and ensure rigorous tracking of library materials within workflows to facilitate locating an item promptly if requested.
- Regularly performs other collection management tasks as needed:
- discharging
- Reshelving
- Offsite storage transfer
- pulling requested material from stacks
- shelf-reading
- collection shifts
- patron assistance
- collection related projects
- Uses Outlook, Libanswers, or other online correspondence tools to respond to patron and staff inquiries in a courteous, timely, and professional manner.
- May assist in training, scheduling, and distributing work of other staff members, students, casual and temporary workers.
Basic Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Experience with automated systems, including using online databases, working with spreadsheets and knowledge of file management techniques.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Library experience and interest in working with a wide variety of library materials preferred.
- Experience with Alma, preferred.
- Ability to maintain acute attention to detail while performing repetitive tasks.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as bibliographic data.
- Ability to work independently with sustained concentration; ability to prioritize workflow.
- Ability to work productively and collaboratively in a team environment with minimal supervision.
- Working knowledge of additional (non-English) languages.
- Ability to adapt to new situations and learn new tasks quickly and accurately.
- Works according to changing daily priorities, demonstrates flexibility and ability to shift between multiple tasks effectively.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism.
How to Apply:
For more information and to apply, visit: