Head of University Archives Reference Services, HUA, Cambridge, MA

Posted September 22, 2023

The Harvard University Archives (HUA) seeks an innovative, collaborative, and dynamic individual to manage the Harvard University Archives team responsible for providing reference services for the Harvard University Archives.  This position is a key, public-facing position, serving all sectors of the constituency of the University Archives: faculty, students, Harvard administration, alumni, outside scholars and peers in the Harvard Library, Harvard College Library, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Graduate Schools and related programs at the University. The Harvard University Archives is the largest archives and manuscripts collection at Harvard, and the oldest and largest university archives in North America.

Reporting to the Director of Public Services for Archives and Special Collections, and in close consultation with the University Archivist, the Head of Harvard University Archives Reference Services has principal responsibility for overseeing the team responsible for providing reference services for the records and collections held by the Harvard University Archives, delivering front-line reference services for the institutional records, manuscript and image collections, born digital content, scholarly output, websites, historical materials, objects and research data that comprise the collections of the Harvard University Archives.  

Responsibilities encompass daily management of the University Archives physical Reading Room and reference desk, including supervision of research services for a wide variety of stakeholder communities and circulation of archival materials from the collections of the Harvard University Archives; and overseeing and executing judgement calls on provision of mediated access to administrative and academic records to authorized University staff and researchers.  Other responsibilities include managing remote reference services and providing access to mediated digital content; reviewing collections for access and coordinating the retrieval of materials in preparation for research visits by researchers and University staff; providing individualized research instruction for Harvard faculty, students, staff and administrators; and contributing to other HUA programmatic activities supporting the entire Harvard community including faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, scholars and the general public. 

The ideal candidate must be able to handle – maturely and confidently – confidential University matters and materials and be cognizant of reputational risk for the University while simultaneously making archival materials as accessible as possible for researchers both inside and outside the University. In addition, a successful applicant to this position must have a demonstrated ability to communicate and work well with a wide range of individuals, including University administrators, faculty, and students at both undergraduate and graduate level, as well as with outside scholars and the general public. Sensitivity to and support for issues relating to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Anti-racism are imperative.

Houghton Library and Harvard University Archives are in the process of creating an integrated Public Services department that will provide research and teaching services for patrons of both units. The Head of University Archives References Services will be a key leader in this new unit and will participate actively in the creation of a holistic approach to public services activities, which may involve shifts in responsibilities over time.  

To Apply

Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on October 20, 2023. 

To view the complete position description, and to apply, see here.