Need Reference Archivist/Librarian for Archives and Special Collections in Cambridge, MA
Posted 2025-03-14Job title: Reference Archivist/Librarian for Archives and Special Collections
Company: Harvard University
Job description: Job Code
386056 Library Professional
Sub-Unit
056
Time Status
Full-time
Union
00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary
Basic Qualifications
Master's degree in library and/or information science or equivalent education and/or experience.
Experience in providing reference and instruction in archives, manuscripts, or rare books.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
Experience with research and teaching trends, methods, and best practices.
Demonstrated ability to provide effective and efficient research services. Knowledge of best practices in virtual and in-person reference in a special collections environment, familiarity with assessing public services and related tools.
Demonstrated ability to bring inclusive and engaging pedagogical approaches to the interpretation of materials held by Harvard University Archives and Houghton Library.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, belonging, and anti-racism, and to serving the needs of a diverse population.
Ability to manage complex projects and deliver to deadlines.
Demonstrated initiative, flexibility, and ability to work collegially and creatively within and across organizations.
Three or more years of professional experience in instruction and reference in an academic or research library environment.
Experience working with confidential and/or sensitive materials applying judgement and discretion.
Strong customer service orientation and success in improving the user experience.
Capacity to thrive in a changing working environment.
Ability to develop and sustain effective collaborations with students, faculty, academic departments, and/or academic support units, including working efficiently across disciplines and with diverse populations.
Experience with assessment tools and methods.
Excellent written and oral communication.
High-level judgment and discretion, and comfort with ambiguity.
Strategic thinking, negotiation, and change management skills.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Commitment to positive, solutions-driven responses to challenges.
Experience with or willingness to adopt new technologies and systems that expand access to collections and facilitate their use in research and teaching.
Record of engagement with professional groups and activities and/or contributions to professional or scholarly literature.
Working knowledge of a language other than English including, but not limited to Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, or any Non-Roman script [or alphabet] language preferred.
Department
Houghton Library
Pre-Employment Screening
Criminal, Education, Identity
Schedule
This position will work onsite 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, with a weekly evening shift, and rotating Saturday shift.
Job Function
Library
Position Description
Participates in reference and research consultation services, in-person and virtually, for primary source research methods, including digital and innovative uses of Archives and Houghton collections.
Works in close collaboration with the Reference Services Librarian (who is responsible for virtual reference at Houghton), and the Head of Public Services at Archives to assist with all reference services, including mediating research access to institutional records of Harvard in accordance with University policies.
Ensures excellent service, friendly reception, and positive research interactions for researchers of all skill levels using Archives and Houghton collections.
Supports patron off-site research and information requests, using LibAnswers.
Creates and maintains reference guides (such as LibGuides) for Houghton and Archives collections and services.
In coordination with the Head of Teaching of Learning, works across collection areas to prepare and lead instruction sessions with primary source materials, including evaluating and selecting materials, developing class plans, and collaborating with faculty on assignment design and learning outcomes. Promote inclusive teaching practices and a commitment to accessibility in the development and delivery of services and programs.
Participates in other Art, Archives, and Special Collections (AASC) Library teaching and learning initiatives, including printing workshops, January-term classes, and outreach activities.
Provides in-person and virtual reference assistance as needed, including 15-20 hours of weekly reading room shifts, one evening shift (5-7 pm), and a rotating 8-hour Saturday shift.
Builds and participates in ongoing learning and professional development relevant to position responsibilities and delivery of services and programs, as well as AASC and Harvard Library committees and special projects. Collaborates with colleagues outside of Harvard and in national professional organizations.
This position may supervise library assistants, student employees, and temporary staff.
School/Unit
Harvard College Library
Working Conditions
This position will work onsite 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, with a weekly evening shift, and rotating Saturday shift.
Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs.
Requests for flexibility will be considered consistent with Harvard University flexwork policies.
Interacting with collections that may contain dust, mold, or other contaminants.
Job Summary
Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on September 25, 2023.
Reporting to the Research Services Librarian at Houghton Library, the Reference Archivist/Librarian provides reference and research services and develops online guides, web pages, and other tools designed to enhance the discovery, use, and understanding of Harvard University Archives and Houghton Library's collections.
They should demonstrate a strong service orientation with the ability to interact positively and inclusively with students, faculty, and the public, and create accessible reference tools.
This position also participates in Harvard University Archives and Houghton Library's teaching and learning initiatives, including classroom instruction, January-term classes, and outreach activities.
Houghton Library has joined with the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, Fine Arts Library, Harvard Film Archive, and Harvard University Archives to create Archives, Arts, and Special Collections of Harvard Library, an administrative unit engaged in planning integrated approaches to public services and technical services for archives and special collections across the portfolio. Houghton Library and Harvard University Archives are in the process of creating an integrated Public Services department that will provide research and teaching services for patrons of both units. The Reference Archivist/Librarian will be an important member of this new unit.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Across 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 invite individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities 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.
Harvard Library inspires collaboration, reflection, experimentation, and discovery connecting users to related disciplines and to University-wide teaching resources. The Library engages users through curated discovery, digital collections, reimagined physical space, and specialized research support. Today, Harvard Library's holdings range from traditional print collections to rapidly expanding access to digital resources. Harvard Library provides the University's faculty, students, and researchers-now and in the future-with exceptional experiences and comprehensive access to these materials.
Learn more about our contributions to the academic enterprise by visiting us at and about the Harvard University community at .
The Harvard Library is a proud member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.
Benefits
We invite you to visit to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:
Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Work Format
On-Site
Expected salary:
Location: Cambridge, MA