Access Services Manager for Gutman, Ernst Mayr, and Music Libraries

Overview

Access Services is dedicated to advancing the mission of Harvard Library by providing exceptional service, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment that supports academic research and inquiry, and carefully stewarding the University’s collections. Access Services connects the academic community to a broad array of library resources, ensuring equitable access for users with diverse abilities. By collaborating with students, scholars, and professionals, we actively support the teaching and scholarly pursuits of the University, extending our impact to the Harvard community and beyond.

Job Summary

The Access Services Manager is a working manager who leads Access Services operations and staff at the Monroe

C. Gutman Library at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Ernst Mayr Library of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, and the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library. The manager supervises staff and student workers; oversees circulation services, stacks management and maintenance, course reserves, resource sharing services, facilities, and equipment; and assists patrons in identifying, accessing, and using library resources in the associated libraries.

The position is a member of the Access Services Extended Leadership Team (ELT), a collaborative group that includes all Access Services managers and members of the Access Services Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

Appointment Details

The position is a 1-year term-limited appointment with potential for renewal. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm, with hours subject to change based on the academic calendar and departmental needs.

• Staff Management and Leadership:
  Lead, direct, and supervise daily Access Services operations at assigned libraries, set high patron service standards, mentor staff, and foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Operational Planning:
  Ensure units meet operational and communication expectations; plan and prioritize daily workflows; assign tasks; and adjust staffing to meet service demands.
• People Development:
  Recruit, develop, coach, and performance manage staff; set clear expectations and goals; provide ongoing feedback; conduct performance reviews; address issues; and support growth and succession planning, in collaboration with the Associate Director.
• Communication and Alignment:
  Maintain regular communication with the Associate Director on performance and priorities; share updates and ensure alignment on goals and decisions.
• Policy and Procedure Communication:
  Communicate departmental goals, policies, procedures, and best practices through meetings, conversations, and documentation.
• Process Improvement:
  Develop, document, and refine procedures and workflows to enhance efficiency, service quality, and user experience.
• Cross-unit
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Coordinate activities with other Access Services units and collaborate to solve complex, time-sensitive problems.

• Operations Management:
  Manage service points and circulation desk services; ensure accurate operations and enforce library policies; support collection security measures.
• Reserves and Digital Services:
  Train and support centralized digital course reserves services; communicate reserves policies; manage onsite reserves workflows.
• Public Service and Reference: Provide Tier 1 information support; collaborate with reference librarians; maintain effective local referral processes; ensure high-quality, user-centered service.
• Accessibility and Accommodation:
  Assist staff in helping users with disabilities; coordinate guest policies to ensure equitable access.
• Collections and Stacks:
  Manage access to onsite and offsite collections; oversee shelving, shifts, transfers to offsite storage, and item record accuracy.
• Resource Sharing and Equipment:
  Support on-site resource sharing activities; troubleshoot workflows and equipment with relevant units; maintain patron-facing equipment.
• Facilities and Environment:
  Monitor building conditions; coordinate with facilities and preservation services; conduct regular safety walkthroughs.

• Project Management:
  Work with the Associate Director to initiate collection projects; develop plans, timelines, and…