Public Services Student Assistant, Houghton Library, (Cambridge, MA)

Posted September 5, 2024

SUMMARY
Houghton Library is looking for a current SLIS student to serve as a Public Services Student
Assistant. The role is intended to work over 4 aspects of Public Services at Houghton Library:
Must be available to work 9am-5pm, Thursday and Friday during the 2024 fall semester.
Welcome Assistant/ Lobby: The Student Assistant greets and orientates researchers, students,
faculty, and visitors to Houghton Library and its reading room, exhibition galleries, classrooms,
and program spaces during open hours.
Reading Room: The Student Assistant discharges and collects items from researchers in the
reading room. They also monitor the use of materials and coach researchers on proper handling,
while upholding library access and security requirements.
Consultation Room: The Student Assistant checks researchers into the reading room, and
assists with in-person reference help to search for and select items to view. At this service point,
the Student Assistant will also vet requests for immediate paging for use in the reading room.
Reference: The Student Assistant will assist in answering virtual reference inquiries received via
LibAnswers.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Create a warm and welcoming presence for Library researchers and visitors.
● Actively greet the researchers and visitors and provide reference assistance and
orientation to Houghton Library.
● Respond to a variety of online reference/research inquiries from the larger scholarly
community.
● Share information with researchers and the public about Houghton Library’s mission,
exhibitions, collections, programming, events, services, and classes.
● Answer routine and general inquiries about the Houghton’s collections, mission, and
history, as well as questions about Harvard Yard and Harvard Square, including
amenities, dining, and transit.
● Understand and communicate library policies and procedures to visitors and researchers,
including health, security, and safety, coat/bag check, rules regarding food and drink, and
reading room protocols.
● Receive visitors and staff arriving at the library for appointments with Houghton staff and
direct accordingly.
● Alert the Houghton Security Office of any security concerns, including self-observed
issues and reported visitor concerns.
● Other duties as assigned.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
● Bachelor’s Degree in any subject.
● Enrollment in an ALA-accredited Library and Information Science program.
● One or more years of customer service experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
● A commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse population, including
international researchers and visitors, and visitors of all ages.
● Ability to engage with visitors in a professional and courteous manner
● Team-oriented disposition with strong customer service skills.
● Interest in libraries, museums, and/or other cultural institutions.
● Ability to multitask during periods of high volume, stay calm, and direct groups of
visitors, even when language barriers are present.
● Excellent oral communication
● Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
● Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and ability to work collegially and creatively within
and across organizations
● Knowledge of general office applications. MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams,
and Google Suite
● Knowledge of Library software including Alma, Aeon, Springshare products, and basic
library catalog searching.
● Working speaking knowledge of a language other than English including, but not limited
to Arabic, Chinese, French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish

HOURS
For the Summer and Fall semesters, this position will work 14 hours a week, between 9 am and 5
pm.
When the library resumes Saturday hours, this position will be required to work Saturdays from
10 am-5 pm.
When the library resumes evening hours, this position will be required to work a minimum of
one evening shift a week. Evening shifts are 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays.

SALARY $22.00/hour

How To APply

Submit cover letter, resume, and references to Zoë Hill, Reference Librarian
([email protected])
Harvard will require COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members who will have any
on-campus presence. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for
medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination
requirement and other policies may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information
webpage.
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.