Under the supervision of the Head of Research Services and working closely with the Access Services Coordinator, the Library Assistant supports the Carol K. Pforzheimer Reading Room's daily operations by delivering a high service standard and cultivating an accessible and welcoming environment for all Library users. The Library Assistant connects users to the Library's collections through proactive access services support both in-person and virtually.

The Library Assistant shares responsibility for staffing the Reading Room desk and supports the full range of circulation and use of materials in the Reading Room and across the Library. They are committed to delivering high-quality patron service; timely access to collections; maintaining the integrity and security of library resources and materials; and accommodating user needs.

• Provides overall support for reading room operations; communicates and implements reading room policies and procedures; assists patrons with the use of the online catalog, digital resources, and the AEON request system; monitors the use of Library materials in the Reading Room and ensures proper stewardship of the collections; opens and closes the reading room.
• Provides prompt and accurate circulation of Library collections to/from the Reading Room; retrieves and reshelves materials; manages the delivery of materials for instructional and exhibit use; oversees shelf reading; collects and maintains usage statistics.
• Processes circulation requests via AEON and LibAnswers; responds to access services queries via email or in person.
• Coordinates and troubleshoots off-site storage requests to/from the Harvard Depository.
• Processes patron scanning orders, communicates with users; and liaises with the Library's Digital Services team and Widener's Imaging Services staff to meet user digitization needs.
• Assists the Access Services Coordinator in training and coordinating the work of contingent workers.
• Provides reference support for readers in person and remotely, including offering assistance and instruction in using library materials, resources, and specialized library equipment; refers more complex requests/inquiries to the reference librarians
• Performs other access services duties as assigned.

• High school diploma or equivalent education or experience is required. College degree or college-level coursework preferred.
• Computer skills must include Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel

• Graduate work in library/information science and/or prior library experience in reference and/or special collections preferred.
• Demonstrated experience showing attention to detail and excellent organizational skills and ability to meet project deadlines.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.
• Strong public services orientation. Previous library or customer service experience required.
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills.
• Experience with library and special collections systems, especially Aeon, preferred.
• Commitment to be part of a continuous learning environment, updating skills and quickly learning new tasks and systems required to perform job duties

• 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 ladders, when needed, to retrieve materials and reshelve them.

• Located in a library office setting, there may be limited exposure to dust and dirt
• Must be willing to work flexible hours. The work schedule for this position may include work beyond the official business schedule (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00PM) including work on Saturdays and on inclement weather days.
• Travel between campus buildings (Radcliffe and Harvard) will be required.

Cover Letter:
Please note that cover letters are required for every application for a position at the 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 April 15, 2023.

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.

Flex Work Note:
This role is offered as an on-campus position where you are required to work onsite at our Cambridge, MA based campus. Any occasional 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). Individual flexible and remote work options for this role may be discussed during the interview process. *Note: Harvard employees working in California must be exempt.

COVID-19 Vaccination:
Harvard University continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, and students, as well as the wider community. Please note that all new employees will be required to provide confirmation of primary series COVID-19 vaccination upon hire, as detailed on our COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement Webpage.

Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. Additional information regarding this requirement, exemptions, verification of vaccination status, and other related policies and resources may be found on the University’s COVID-19 Information Website.

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 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 Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University may be exactly the employer you have been looking for.

Library

USA - MA - Cambridge

403074 Library Assistant VI

On-Site

Schlesinger Library

-

Full-time

053

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Education, Employment, Identity

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

At the Harvard Library, our work is enriched by our diverse campus community. Our unique and wide-ranging abilities, experiences, and perspectives are integral to achieving Harvard University’s mission of excellence in research, teaching, and learning for our patrons, our collections, and our workplace. We believe that an inclusive environment that cultivates and promotes understanding, respect, and collaboration across our diverse workforce enables our success.

We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities to apply to be a part of our community of over 700 staff members. Our work with faculty, students, and researchers to explore answers to intellectual questions, enduring and new, and to seek solutions to the world’s most consequential problems, requires that we not only reflect, but also champion our diverse society.

A global leader, the Harvard Library is a pre-eminent research library that acquires, disseminates, and preserves knowledge. Harvard's Library holdings range from traditional print collections to rapidly expanding inventories of digital resources. It is the work of the Harvard Library to provide the University's faculty, students, and researchers—now and in the future—with comprehensive access over time to all of these materials.

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.