Associate University Librarian for Discovery and Access

02-Apr-2024

Harvard Library

65430BR

Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on May 13, 2024. 

Reporting to the Vice President for the Harvard Library and University Librarian, the Associate University Librarian (AUL) for Discovery and Access is an active member of the Vice President’s senior team, sharing responsibility for library-wide planning, resource allocation, organizational development, and strategies for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the library’s workforce, services, collections, and spaces, in support of the library’s mission. The AUL provides collaborative, strategic leadership in the continual evolution of services that enable people and machines to discover and access library content, whether that content is in digital or tangible format, purchased or licensed, created in the library, or in open access channels. They are a knowledgeable thought leader and partner in the creative opportunities of current and emerging technologies to advance discovery and access. The AUL’s direct reports are senior leaders of units responsible for content acquisition, digitization, description, and access for libraries across the university, and user experience research that informs library services.

Position Description

• As an active member of the Vice President’s senior team, shares responsibility for library-wide planning, resource allocation, organizational development, and strategies for advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the library’s workforce, services, collections, and spaces, in support of the library’s mission.

• Provides collaborative, strategic leadership in the continual evolution of services that enable people and machines to discover and access library content, whether that content is in digital or tangible format, purchased or licensed, created in the library, or in open access channels.

• Is a knowledgeable thought leader and partner in the creative opportunities of current and emerging technologies to advance discovery and access.

• Works very closely with counterparts in library technology services, scholarly resources and services, and special collections and archives, builds strong trust relationships with colleagues across the library, university, and peer institutions, and represents the library in collaborative initiatives. 

• Supervises senior leaders of units responsible for content acquisition, digitization, description, and access for libraries across the university, and user experience research that informs library services.

• Provides guidance to direct reports on human resources, finances, and other administrative matters, in consultation with other administrative colleagues as appropriate. The portfolio includes approximately 245 staff and the associated budgets of each unit.

• Ensures a user-centered and evidence-based approach to the development of inclusive, sustainable services.

• Adapts organizational practices to meet strategic priorities, including shifting those created for a print-dominant world to ones supporting the hybrid world of digital and print.

• Facilitates a focus on equitable employee development programs that build creativity and flexibility and support evolution in skills, enabling employees to contribute their best work in pursuit of goals and objectives.

Basic Qualifications

• 10 or more years’ experience in a large research library, university, or academic enterprise with 5 or more years in a leadership role.

• Demonstrated success in developing inclusive, sustainable services and leveraging digital technologies.

• Master of Library and Information Science degree or equivalent education/experience.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.

• Strong leadership and administrative skills, including ability to think strategically and develop and communicate a shared vision.

• An understanding of how to proactively build collaborative relationships with administrative leaders, faculty and staff across multiple organizational elements and academic disciplines within a university.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and oral and written communication skills, and ability to inspire others.

• Ability to work effectively in a decentralized and matrix environment.

• Experience leading in a unionized environment.

• Strong data gathering, data analysis, and analytical skills, and experience in evidence-based decision-making.

• Proven track record of managing change in a complex organization.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and large budgets.

• Demonstrated experience in introducing and sustaining successful collaborative initiatives.

• Knowledge of global information access issues and emerging trends.

• Demonstrated experience with legacy and emerging library technologies and technical services.

• Evidence of continuing professional engagement and development.

Physical Requirements

• There are no notable physical demands associated with this position.

Working Conditions

• 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. 

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.

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

386062 Library Manager

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Department

Harvard Library Administration

Annual Salary Range

$176,600 to $326,600

Union

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

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.

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.

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