Access Services Coordinator, Academic Library (Cambridge)
Position Title: Access Services Coordinator
School or Unit: Harvard Library
Description: Job Summary
Access Services supports the Harvard Library mission by delivering a high standard of service; cultivating a welcoming environment that is supportive of academic research and inquiry; stewarding the university collection; and connecting the academic community to the vast array of library resources. We support the teaching and scholarly mission of the University through collaborative partnerships with the community of students, scholars and professionals at Harvard and beyond.
Reporting to the Access Services Manager for Circulation and Reading Room Services at Widener Library, the Access Services Coordinator carries out various tasks at the Widener and Lamont Libraries to provide access to Harvard Library and its collections. Under the general guidance of the Access Services Manager, this position performs a variety of advanced library duties requiring substantial knowledge of library systems and procedures to provide access to collections and process library materials. Working cooperatively with colleagues in Access Services and other Harvard Library units, this position supports a broad range of public services for library users and actively engages in cross-unit collaboration. This is a highly visible position responsible for exercising significant independent judgment, operating within a busy environment, actively assisting users, and monitoring multiple library functions.
Position Description
1. Circulation: Provide outstanding library services to a highly diverse group of library users. Communicate and apply library policies; locate and retrieve requested items and assist patrons in finding library materials. Process incoming deliveries from offsite storage, resource sharing and other libraries; open and close Access Services work areas. Supervise, train, and assign tasks to student workers.
2. Information Services: Answer informational and directional questions about Widener and other Harvard Libraries; use the HOLLIS catalog and Alma to locate library materials and answer user questions; appropriately refer patrons with questions that require significant subject expertise.
3. Carrels: Assist with the Widener carrel workflows: Answer patron questions, mediate carrel requests and assist with the processing carrel clearing requests.
4. Support Special Reading Rooms: Provide support to patrons using the public computers and microfilm readers in Widener 180; provide backup support for the Widener Reading Room by assisting patrons to access non-circulating materials; assist with coverage in coordination with the Access Services Coordinator for the Widener Reading Room.
5. Resource Sharing: Support resource sharing activities by overseeing the student assistant scanning workflows. Process Resource Sharing items for patrons use; locate Borrower Direct and Resource sharing materials for patrons and assist in troubleshooting workflow or equipment problems.
6. Library Equipment: Maintain, troubleshoot, and coordinate service maintenance for public photocopiers and scanners, public computer workstations, public printers, and microform readers; assist patrons in using print accounts.
7. Access and Borrowing: Provide patron support for the Access and Borrowing Office in Widener Library. Respond to patron inquiries, verify and provide appropriate privileges to visiting researchers and Harvard affiliates. Assist patrons with library fines and process claims returns requests. Provide basic billing and privileges support for patrons at the Circulation Desk when the Access and Borrowing Office is closed; create and issue visitor passes and provide patrons with basic information and assistance.
8. Physical Facility: Monitor building; maintain awareness of physical condition, use of space, etc.; identify and resolve/report problems as appropriate; assists users with disabilities in accessing library materials.
9. Other Duties and Responsibilities: Resolve problems for users through the exercise of sound judgment and the interpretation of established guidelines; assist with developing procedures, implement procedures and workflows, initiate improvements; collect, record, and report information about library usage, workflows, and processes; effectively communicate with library patrons and colleagues in person, by telephone, and through email and other electronic media; work cooperatively with other library departments on projects and to coordinate routine workflows; participate in committees and working groups; may occasionally support Access Services activities in other units; other tasks and duties as assigned, consistent with the functions of the work unit and level of responsibilities of the role.
10. Student Workers: Assist with hiring and organizing the work of a large pool of student workers; supervise, train and schedule student workers; distribute work, and oversee the performance of daily tasks; address coverage gaps; approve and reconcile student worker reported time.
Basic Qualifications
* High school diploma or equivalent work experience required.
* Facility with standard office software (Microsoft Word and Excel, email, calendaring applications, etc.) required.
* 3+ years previous library or related experience required.
* 1+ years supervisory experience required.
Additional Qualifications and Skills
* College degree preferred.
* Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and antiracism.
* Demonstrated experience training, scheduling, and distributing work to student or temporary staff.
* Ability to successfully deliver excellent customer service and prioritize service needs in a busy, dynamic public service environment required.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills required.
* Experience with an online library catalog and management system (particularly Ex Libris's Alma system) and familiarity with electronic academic library resources preferred.
* Sensitivity to working in a diverse user environment.
* Ability to solve problems effectively and exercise discerning judgment.
* Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work productively in a team environment.
* Ability to perform repetitive work tasks with overall accuracy, effectiveness, and attention to detail.
* Adaptable, able to flexibly adjust to changing workplace needs.
Working Conditions
* Onsite position. The position will work onsite Sunday 12noon-8pm and Monday through Thursday from 8:45am-4:45pm, with possible occasional evening and weekend shifts.
* Work location is responsive and subject to change based on business needs. Requests for flexibility will be considered consistent with Harvard University flexwork policies.
* The work associated with this position is performed in a library/office setting. There may be exposure to dust, mold, or other contaminants.
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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