Instruction and Outreach Librarian, Harvard Radcliffe Institute, (Cambridge, MA)

Posted January 4, 2024

Job Summary: The Schlesinger Library seeks a highly motivated and collaborative individual to join our team as an instruction and outreach librarian.

Reporting to the Head of Education & Outreach, this individual will contribute to the library’s outreach efforts at Harvard and beyond, by participating in the Library’s teaching program, helping to envision and plan events, and developing meaningful social media content tailored to the concerns and interests of the varied audiences and partners of the Schlesinger Library. They will collaborate with research services librarians, curators, and the education and outreach team to promote the Library’s resources to students, members of Harvard’s faculty and staff, researchers, and community partners, and to teach with our collections.

Position Description:

Collaborate with library colleagues, instructors, and members of the Harvard faculty to design
and teach class sessions focused on primary sources from the Schlesinger Library’s collections,
as well as archival literacy.
With the head of education and outreach, develop and implement outreach programs to
promote library resources and services to campus and community partners, including Harvard-
Radcliffe’s Emerging Leaders Program.
Work with Library and Institute colleagues in developing and implementing an integrated, cross-
platform social media strategy to promote the Library’s collections, services, exhibitions, and
events.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in instruction, outreach,
and information literacy.
Plan, direct, and promote outreach events and programs.
Collect, assess, and disseminate data related to teaching and outreach for internal use and
external reporting.
Cover regular shifts at the Schlesinger Library reference desk.
Participate in Harvard Library-wide initiatives, working groups, and committees as a
representative of library instruction and outreach services.
Pursue professional development and skills training in response to emerging and ongoing needs,
enhancing job performance and staying current in the field.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Responsibilities may include hiring and training, planning, and assigning work for temporary
staff and student assistants.

Basic Qualifications:

Master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA-accredited institution (or
equivalent combination of education and experience).
3 years of professional experience in a special collections library or archives, including
demonstrated experience in teaching information literacy and /or archival literacy, and in
teaching with primary sources.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Demonstrated experience working with collections and library users from marginalized
communities.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with others.
Knowledge of emerging trends and best practices in instruction, outreach, archival literacy, and
teaching with primary sources.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team, establish priorities and manage
multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong knowledge of social media platforms, especially Instagram, and familiarity with social
media strategies for promoting library services and resources.
Ability to take initiative and think creatively.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and evolving needs of the library and its users.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and anti-racism.
Knowledge of assessment techniques and tools for evaluating the effectiveness of instructional
and outreach programs.
Experience in event planning and/or program management.
Interest in emerging social media marketing trends.
Educational background or demonstrated interest in women and gender studies, American
history, American studies, or another discipline related to the library’s collecting scope.

Physical Requirements:

Employee must have the ability to sit at a desk for a minimum of seven hours a day and
complete tasks requiring repetitive use of hands.
Standing, sitting, talking, hearing, focusing for considerable lengths of time is required.
This position requires frequent lifting, pushing, and pulling of boxes up to 50 lbs and requires
bending, squatting, stretching, and climbing tall ladder when needed to retrieve materials and
reshelve them.

Working Conditions:
Located in a library office setting, there may be limited exposure to dust and mold.
The work schedule for this position may include occasional work beyond the official business
schedule (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00PM).

Travel to different parts of the University campus and partner sites will be required.

Additional Information:
To apply, please visit:
https://jobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?PageType=JobDetails&partnerid=25240&siteid=5341&Areq=64556BR
Cover Letter:
Please note that cover letters are required for every application for a position at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Please combine your cover letter and resume into a single document that is uploaded when you are instructed by HARVARD CAREERS, Harvard’s online application program, to “Upload my resume/CV from my computer”. Complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. However, we encourage all interested candidates to apply before January 12, 2024.

Interviews:
We will be conducting interviews virtually and might invite finalist candidates for on-campus interviews.
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility with our interview process.
Work Format Details:
This role is offered as a primarily on-campus position where the incumbent will be required to be onsiteat our Cambridge, MA-based campus regularly. There may be occasional opportunities to work remotely. Specific schedule will be determined between the incumbent and manager. Any remote work must be performed in a state in which Harvard is registered to do business (CA*, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).

About the Harvard Radcliffe Institute:
The Harvard Radcliffe Institute is dedicated to creating and sharing transformative ideas across the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The Fellowship Program annually supports the work of 50 leading artists and scholars. Academic Ventures and Engagement fosters collaborative research projects and sponsors lectures and conferences that engage scholars with the public. The Schlesinger Library documents the lives of American women of the past and present for the future, furthering the Institute’s commitment to women, gender and society.

We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to achieving our goals through the efforts of a highly skilled, diverse workforce. With outstanding benefits, competitive pay, extensive learning opportunities, and a stimulating and attractive work environment, the Harvard Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University may be exactly the employer you have been looking for.