Harvard University

Head of Library Engagement and Experience (64953BR)

Harvard University Cambridge, MA

Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the end of the day on March 15, 2024.

Reporting to the Associate Librarian for Research, Teaching, and Learning Services for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), this position serves as a member of the leadership team for the Services for Academic Programs (SAP) department, coordinating a suite of programs designed to promote engagement with library services and resources.

As part of the Research, Teaching, and Learning portfolio, this person will join a high-functioning group of librarians and research specialists in providing services for reference and instruction, media creation and data visualization, social sciences, humanities, and digital scholarship.

Position Description

The Head of Library Engagement and Experience provides leadership across four main areas of responsibility:


  • Overseeing the FAS Library Liaison Program
  • Developing learning and engagement opportunities for students and faculty
  • Coordinating outreach and patron experiences
  • Advancing humanities research support

Duties include:


  • Designing, implementing, delivering, and assessing orientation programs for new arrivals to FAS and the Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).
  • Leading, managing, supporting and assessing the FAS Library Liaison services program, aiding staff to increase proficiency in areas such as information literacy, learning design etc.
  • Supervision of up to five staff members.
  • Promoting practices to support equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and antiracism
  • Identifying opportunities for new programs and services
  • Serving as a library liaison to academic departments and programs, as assigned
  • Planning, providing and coordinating outreach and engagement services for a diverse community of learners and library users.
  • Advancing research and reference through consultations and our Ask-A-Librarian services.
  • Serving on administrative committees, working groups, and councils.
  • Engaging in and facilitating professional development opportunities.
  • Providing leadership for humanities scholarship.
  • Ensuring responsible financial management, tracking expenses, and following Harvard University’s financial policies, procedures, and protocols in partnership with HL finance, ensure accountability and compliance with fiduciary requirements.

Basic Qualifications


  • ALA MLS or equivalent
  • 5 or more years of increasingly responsible professional experience in an academic library or research and teaching setting, with an expertise in the delivery of user-centered public services.
  • Demonstrated engagement in reference and instructional services, user experience, and assessment.
  • Demonstrate engagement with library reference, instruction and assessment services.
  • Experience in humanities research and scholarship.
  • 2 or more years of supervisory experience and/or demonstrated experience providing leadership for a department or unit, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
  • Demonstrated ability to foster and promote teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness in a highly complex organization.

Additional Qualifications And Skills


  • Advanced degree preferred.
  • Strategic thinking and change management skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Commitment to diversity and serving diverse users.
  • Knowledge of research trends in higher education.
  • Strong analytical, management, written and oral communication skills.

Physical Requirements


  • Job involves keyboarding and may require occasional bending, squatting, stretching, or lifting items of less than 40 pounds.

Working Conditions


  • The work is performed on a university campus in academic buildings; mainly in a library environment.
  • The position is based on our campus in Cambridge, MA. There may be the opportunity for a flexible or hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University remote work policies. Expectation to work on site at least three days per week and as needed.
  • Interacting with collections that may contain dust, mold, or other contaminants.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) 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.

Job Function

Library

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

386059 Library Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Salary Grade

059

Department

Services for Academic Programs

Annual Salary Range

$99,300 to $173,900

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status

Full-time

Pre-Employment Screening

Credit, 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.

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 http://library.harvard.edu and about the Harvard University community at http://hr.harvard.edu/why-harvard .

The Harvard Library is a proud member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance.

EEO 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.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

  • Seniority level

    Not Applicable
  • Employment type

    Full-time
  • Job function

    Other
  • Industries

    Higher Education

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