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Acrlny

Head of the Natural History Library Collections — Cambridge, Massachusetts

Acrlny, Cambridge, Massachusetts, us, 02140


Harvard Library seeks an innovative librarian with proven experience in natural history librarianship to develop a vision for the next phase of services and spaces supporting the natural history domain and across disciplines.

Check you match the skill requirements for this role, as well as associated experience, then apply with your CV below.Reporting to the Director for Sciences and Engineering Services (SES) within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Libraries, the head will oversee the Ernst Mayr Library for the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) and the Botany Libraries of the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH), and support the students, faculty, curators, and researchers in areas of natural history (including: zoology, botany, ecology, forestry, natural history, biodiversity, paleontology, marine biology, oceanography) and biology. The head will also work with the librarian at the Arnold Arboretum and the Harvard Forest.The position will oversee a team responsible for maintaining and strengthening strong partnerships with faculty, curators, and researchers, contributing at all points of the research lifecycle, and engaging with students in ways that encourage the full use of the Library’s many services.Harvard University is a founding member of the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), and continues to support BHL through membership, active committee participation, and digitization from the collections in the Ernst Mayr and Botany Libraries.The Head of the Natural History Library Collections (Ernst Mayr and Botany Libraries) will be a key member of the Science Libraries Council, a group of science, engineering, mathematics, and medical librarians who work together to share knowledge, keep current with developments in science librarianship, and collaborate on the selection, acquisition, and licensing of materials for research and learning across the disciplines they serve.Position DescriptionManagement Activities

Direct the strategic planning process for the natural history library collections in both Ernst Mayr and the Botany Libraries.Plan, develop, administer, and evaluate library services to curators, faculty, staff, students, and visiting researchers.Maintain administrative oversight of the Ernst Mayr Library and the Botany Libraries.Prepare and recommend the annual budget, monitor budget expenditures.Collaborate and coordinate with the directors of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MBZ) and the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH) on the use of the spaces, coordination with museum collections, and future planning.Manage the Ernst Mayr and Botany libraries facilities in collaboration with MCZ and HUH building operations.Prioritize and lead multiple projects while meeting deadlines and budget targets.Recruit, hire, manage, and evaluate staff.Work collegially with peers and colleagues across the Harvard Library in a variety of committees and working groups.Maintain awareness of national trends and developments in STEM librarianship with particular focus on areas of natural history and museum libraries.Contribute to professional organizations at the national level, recognize library trends and opportunities, and use this knowledge to enrich local programs and strategic planning in Harvard’s science libraries.Research and Instruction Activities

Collaborate with faculty and colleagues across the library system to ensure continuing excellence in the STEM and cross-disciplinary research and instruction programs.Collaborate with colleagues to develop effective strategies to meet user needs.Collaborate with colleagues throughout the Harvard Library working in Research, Teaching, and Learning.Provide reference and instruction services as needed in support of subject librarians.Collection Management Activities

Coordinate the management of the collections for Ernst Mayr and the Botany Libraries to ensure the selection and maintenance of well-balanced collections to support the teaching and research programs at Harvard.Oversee and support, in collaboration with the Senior Archivist, the local management of special collections and archives in both libraries that support the work of the museum curators and visiting researchers.Promote cooperative planning for collections, services, and preservation of materials.Supervise and evaluate outreach efforts to the various academic departments and programs.Plan and implement a program of library services that meet the teaching and research needs of diverse departments by developing relationships within and among departments to ensure librarians have a working rapport with faculty and curators.Promote collections and services both locally to Harvard researchers and globally to natural history and biodiversity researchers and organizations.Participate actively in professional organizations, authoring and presenting papers.Support and approve loans of materials for exhibits both within and outside Harvard.Maintain collaborative programs with area institutions.Basic Qualifications

ALA accredited MLS or equivalent experience in academic library administration.Master’s degree in a related field, or other background in natural history subjects.4-6 years related management experience in a research library.Additional Qualifications and Skills

Experience with museum library work.Proven leadership, management, and excellent interpersonal skills.Demonstrated knowledge of emerging trends in science research and learning which affect library service.Demonstrated ability to foster and manage change in a fast-paced environment.Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork.Experience with the Ex Libris/Alma library management system.Experience with Aeon for special collections.Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.Ability to collaborate effectively in a decentralized matrix environment.Demonstrated ability to engage with faculty and students.Record of professional and scholarly accomplishments.Excellent written and oral communication skills.Demonstrated experience supporting the professional development of staff.Working Conditions

The work associated with this position is performed in a library/office setting.May interact with collections that may contain dust, mold, or other contaminants.At times may work in basements, attics, warehouses, and other records storage areas.At times will need to travel locally or more broadly.The position is based on-site in Cambridge, MA. There may be the opportunity for a hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University policies.Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs. Requests for flexibility will be considered consistent with Harvard University flexwork policies.Supervisory Responsibilities

The staff of the Ernst Mayr and Botany libraries will report to this position. This includes 4 full-time staff in each Botany and Ernst Mayr, which includes 2 managers with one staff member reporting to them.We invite you to visit Harvard’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our outstanding benefits package.Pre-Employment Screening: Criminal, Education, Identity 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.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.The Harvard Library is a proud member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.EOE Statement: 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.

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