Manager, Public Services, Special Collections & Archives, Baker Library (Cambridge, MA)

Posted February 5, 2025

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Director, Special Collections and Archives (SCA), the Manager, Public Services will direct a collaborative reference and public services team in providing outstanding reference and research support to the Harvard University community and visiting scholars worldwide, both on campus and through virtual channels. As a dynamic and innovative professional, the Manager leads an extensive collection reformatting program, oversees SCA storage locations with strict adherence to collection security standards, takes a leadership role on the Baker Library Collections Emergency Team and is an active member of the SCA management team. In addition, this role takes on leadership roles, as appropriate, in Harvard Library committees and working groups.

Baker Library is committed to diversity and inclusion in its collections, workplace, services, and digital and physical spaces. We align with Harvard Business School and Harvard Library in advancing racial equity within our community.

Our expectations are that employees of HBS adhere to and represent our Community Values:

Respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others
Honesty and integrity in dealing with all members of the community
Accountability for personal behavior

Position Responsibilities:

Supervises two HBS staff members and 3-5 temporary team members, at this time; oversees recruitment, performance reviews, goal setting and professional development.
Directs a dynamic reference and public services team, fostering a collaborative environment that ensures the highest level of reference and research services and shapes a forward-looking vision for delivering services within a digital-first environment.
Plans, organizes, and leads reference and public services for SCA, supporting Harvard University’s extensive research community and scholars worldwide.
Develops and implements policies and procedures to support onsite and virtual collection access and services, addressing complex issues such as copyright, privacy and confidentiality that result from working with contemporary archival materials and digital resources, in accordance with national standards and best practices.
Leads an extensive and multi-faceted reformatting program involving special projects, outside partners, and diverse funding sources, implementing the department’s digitization strategy.
Establishes metrics and tracking models to assess the usage and impact of SCA services, collecting and analyzing data and identifying trends.
Proactively identifies and responds to researchers’ future research needs, expanding and refining services to engage diverse audiences.
Develops and coordinates new content for the collections and archives section of the Baker Library website, enhancing accessibility and reach of research resources strategy.
Oversees SCA storage locations, both on-site and off-site, with strict adherence to collection security standards – ensuring that all location guides and databases are accurate, materials are safely and securely stored, and planning for future storage needs.
Serves as co-lead of the Baker Library Collections Emergency Team, acting as primary contact for collection care issues across Baker Library in emergencies.
Active member of the SCA Outreach Team. Oversees the regular rotation of temporary displays highlighting special collections within Baker Library | Bloomberg Center, collaborating with team members to formulate, create, and fabricate content.
Assists in developing programs that highlight the richness of the library’s collections partnering with the HBS community and faculty.
Key member of the Special Collections Management team contributing to development of department’s strategy, budget management and overall management of the department.
This role is responsible for other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications:

A graduate degree in library science from an ALA-accredited institution, or a graduate degree in archival studies, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five to seven years reference and public services experience in Special Collections, preferably in an academic or research library, with at least three years of successful management and supervisory experience.

Additional Qualifications & Skills:

Commitment to planning, implementing, and assessing customer services and the role of primary source documents in the research process.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse research community including faculty, students and visiting researchers.
Proven excellent organizational and management skills, as well as effectiveness in balancing and completing multiple priorities and complex projects.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential.
Ability to work creatively and collaboratively, playing a leadership role with a team-based approach to reference and public services.
Strong knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in the archival field for the delivery of reference and public services.
Experience in managing reformatting and digitization programs with both analog and digital materials. Demonstrated experience working with born-digital materials.
Strong foundation in intellectual property issues related to libraries, archives, and special collections and issues of confidentiality in contemporary archival collections.
Knowledge of AEON and ArchivesSpace with the ability to analyze, adapt to, and implement evolving technologies effectively.
Familiarity with accepted conservation and preservation methods applied to rare book and manuscript collections.
Proven ability to design and manage projects through meeting stated goals.
Strong subject knowledge of American social, business, and cultural history.

Hours & Compensation:

This is a hybrid position which we consider to be a combination of remote and onsite work at our Boston, MA based campus. Baker Library requires that you are onsite 4 days per week in this role. Specific hours and days onsite will be determined by business needs and are subject to change with appropriate advanced notice.
The salary grade is 058.

How To Apply:

To learn more about the position and apply, please visit the official job posting, listed here.