Public Services Librarian (Temporary), Botany Libraries (Cambridge), Harvard, MA
Posted April 21, 2023
Description:
**This is a 90-day temporary position**
The Harvard University Herbaria house five comprehensive, non-circulating research libraries which are managed collectively as the Botany Libraries. A central reading room is used for in-person use of the Botany Libraries collections.
The public services librarian (temp) will provide in-person, virtual reference, and research consultation services for library materials, answering reference questions and referring more complex questions to the appropriate Botany Libraries staff members. They will advise users of appropriate research strategies and available resources (at Harvard and beyond) and provide technical training as needed.
They will staff the service desk in the reading room. They will register (in Aeon) and orient visitors, check bags, and page and shelve books. They will work directly with researchers and monitor the use of rare and fragile materials including archives, rare books, photographs, and special collections, following established security and handling guidelines. Archives and special collections use will be tracked in Aeon.
May assist with special projects.
This position will report to the Interim Director of the Botany Libraries, with strong working relationships and daily support from the staff members in the Botany Libraries.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Reference work
- Respond to reference questions received in-person and via email
- Provide research consultations for library materials
- Advise patrons on appropriate research strategies and available resources
Public Service Desk
- Greet, register, and orient visitors
- Check bags
- Page and shelve books
- Monitor the use of rare and fragile materials
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.
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications
M.L.S. from an ALA-accredited academic program required.
A minimum of one years’ experience working in an academic or special collections library.
Additional Requirements:
Experience with special collections, monitored reading rooms, or similar.
Experience with Aeon, Alma or similar library management systems.
A strong service-oriented nature; excellent communications skills; ability to manage multiple tasks; comfort in enforcing rules; and the ability to work with a diverse group of library users.
Full/Part Time
Temporary
Education
MLS/Masters
Salary
$25.00 / hour
How to Apply:
To apply send cover letters and resumes to [email protected].