Reference, Collections, And Instruction Librarian For MCB

Basic Qualifications

• MLS from an ALA-accredited school or equivalent education and/or professional work experience.

• 3-4 years of professional experience in a library, preferably academic.

Position Description

Research, Teaching, and Learning (RTL)

• Participate in library research services in collaboration with other library staff and provide in-person and virtual reference and research consultation services including specialized research for in-depth inquiries.

• Consult with and counsel library users in devising research strategies, identifying appropriate and available research materials (at Harvard and beyond), and provide technical training as needed.

• Apply broad knowledge of applicable print and electronic reference sources.

• Build relationships and respond to diverse clientele of faculty, students, scholars, and staff to support teaching, learning, and research.

• Coordinate and teach course-integrated, subject-specific information literacy opportunities, including the development of lesson plans and materials to be included for classes as requested by faculty.

Scholarly Resources Management

• Develop high quality collections and manages a dedicated collections budget.

• Support campus needs and help build library capabilities for research data management.

• Select monographic and serial works in all formats essential to the collection, consulting faculty and curators, and/or the library director as necessary.

• Manage the regular review of subscriptions to identify new opportunities to switch from print subscriptions to electronic subscriptions.

General

• Contribute to the Library's public services, programs, and methodology, particularly in the area of reference and research services.

• In collaboration with other staff, oversee the daily operation and management of the reading room and other public areas, referring to Special Collections staff, student assistants and/or LHT workers as needed.

• Contribute to library strategic planning, policy, and procedure discussions.

• Enforce all library security protocols.

• Connect and collaborate with colleagues in science librarianship as part of the Science Libraries Council.

• Participate in Harvard Library committees, working groups, meetings, and events.

• Represent the Ernst Mayr and Harvard Library through active participation in relevant national and international professional and scholarly organizations.

• May be required to assist with disaster recovery efforts and integrated pest management program.

Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on May 17, 2024.

Join Harvard Library as part of a dynamic team working to renew integrated liaison work with Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) as the Reference, Collections, and Instruction Librarian for Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB Librarian) and be an active member of the Science Libraries Council.

The Ernst Mayr Library seeks an energetic, flexible, and innovative biology subject liaison to support the faculty, students, and staff of the Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) department. Working collaboratively as part of the Ernst Mayr library staff and Harvard Library's Science and Engineering Services team, the Reference, Collections, and Instruction Librarian for Molecular and Cellular Biology will advance visionary changes to user services and outreach to the department and share them with the library community through active participation and presentation in professional organizations and meetings.

The Ernst Mayr Library collections are worldwide in scope and include many rare copies and unique special editions, and this position helps to maintain and grow them, while also providing access to the collections for users both on and off campus. There is a diverse group of users who engage with the collections and services of the Ernst Mayr library, including faculty, staff, and students from the life sciences and natural history communities at Harvard and affiliated institutions.

Reporting to the Interim Director of the Ernst Mayr Library, the MCB Librarian may hold office hours in MCB department spaces, consult, and present workshops onsite and in library spaces, and build a network of strong relationships throughout MCB, ultimately leading to opportunities and services yet to be envisioned. The librarian supports services and collections for all branches of molecular and cellular biology.