Access Services Coordinator for Reading Room, Widener Library at Harvard University, (Cambridge, MA)

Posted July 10, 2024

Location: Widener Library, Harvard University
Start date: August 21, 2024
End date: January 15, 2024
Schedule: Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5pm; Sunday 11:45am – 5pm
Pay Rate: $17.50 per hour
CORI: Required

Description:
Access Services supports the Harvard Library mission by delivering a high standard of service;
cultivating a welcoming environment that is supportive of 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. 
 
Reporting to the Access Services Manager for Circulation and Reading Room Services at
Widener Library, the temporary Access Services Coordinator for the Widener Reading Room is a
highly visible position responsible for actively assisting library patrons and overseeing student
assistants in the Widener Reading Room.  
Assigned hours may change throughout the year based on the Academic calendar or
departmental needs. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Reading Room: Open and close the Widener Reading Room; Provide support for
  reading room services in Widener Library; assist visiting researchers and Harvard
  affiliates consulting in-library use and special collections materials; process requests
  using ALMA; convey handling instructions to patrons using rare or fragile materials
  and supervise their use; provide access to microfilm and instruction.
• Student Workers: Supervise, assign tasks to student workers in the Widener
  Reading Room; assist with scheduling of student assistants and address student
  coverage gaps. 
• Information Services: Provide basic information and reference services; offers
  assistance and instruction in the use of the HOLLIS catalog; answer informational
  and directional questions about Widener; use the HOLLIS catalog and Alma to locate
  materials for patrons; appropriately refer complex questions to specialized
  reference staff following established protocols. 
• Library Equipment: Assist patrons with microfilm readers, scanners, and
  printers.
• Other: Report issues and problems to supervisor and colleagues; may support
  Access Services activities at the Widener Circulation Desk. 

 Basic Qualifications  

• High school diploma or equivalent work experience required.  
• Experience using standard office software (Microsoft Word and Excel, email,
  calendaring applications, etc.) required.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• 1 Year of library experience preferred. 

Additional Qualifications  

• College degree or college-level coursework preferred.   
• Evidence of a strong public services orientation and sensitivity to working in a
  diverse user environment. 
• Ability to exercise informed decision-making, resolve problems effectively, and
  skillfully execute tasks in a busy and dynamic team-oriented environment. 
• This position involves regularly lifting and moving bins weighing up to 40 pounds;
  must be able to push heavy library book trucks; requires bending, squatting,
  stretching, and climbing small step stools when needed to retrieve books and shelve
  them 
• Ability to perform repetitive work tasks with overall accuracy, effectiveness, and
  attention to detail 

BiblioTemps® is an employment service of the Massachusetts Library System that provides
experienced library workers for temporary placements in public, academic, and special libraries
throughout Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Library System (MLS) is an equal opportunity employer.
MLS is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or
applicant for employment because of race, color, age, marital status, sex, physical or mental
challenge, creed, religion, political affiliation, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.
Members of underrepresented groups, and those committed to working in a diverse cultural
environment are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit resume via our job board – https://www.bibliotemps.com/jobs
Contact with questions – [email protected]