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

Overview

By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. Harvard Library is dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.

Why Work at Harvard Library?

Harvard Library champions curiosity and strives to expand world knowledge and intellectual exploration. We engage with communities in creating and sharing knowledge, connecting them with curated collections through global collaborations. Our nearly four-century-old mission is to advance learning, research, and the pursuit of truth through collaboration, diverse perspectives, access, and curiosity.

This is a 1-year term-limited position with potential for renewal. The posting remains open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the end of the day on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Job Summary:

Access Services aims to advance Harvard Library’s mission by providing exceptional service, fostering an inclusive environment that supports academic research and inquiry, and stewarding the University’s collections. Access Services connects the academic community to library resources, ensuring equitable access for users with diverse abilities. By collaborating with students, scholars, and professionals, we support teaching and scholarly pursuits across the Harvard community and beyond.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Access Services for Professional School Libraries, the Access Services Manager leads operations and staff at the Monroe

C. Gutman Library (Harvard Graduate School of Education), the Ernst Mayr Library (Museum of Comparative Zoology), and the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library. The manager supervises staff and student workers; oversees circulation, stacks management, course reserves, resource sharing, facilities, and equipment; and assists patrons in identifying, accessing, and using library resources. This role operates with substantial knowledge of library systems and procedures and a high degree of judgment and autonomy.

The position is a member of the Access Services Extended Leadership Team (ELT).

The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm. Schedules may change based on the academic calendar, library hours, and departmental needs. Work may be required during holidays, inclement weather, and official University closings. Time-off approvals during these periods are at the discretion of the Associate Director based on business 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 work environment.
• Ensure units meet operational and communication expectations. Plan and prioritize daily workflows; assign tasks and projects; adjust staffing to meet service demands.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and manage performance; set expectations, provide feedback, conduct reviews, address issues, and support growth and succession planning in consultation with the Associate Director.
• Maintain regular communication with the Associate Director on performance, staffing, workload, risks, and employee relations; escalate issues as needed and align on priorities.
• Communicate goals, policies, procedures, and best practices through staff meetings, one-on-one conversations, and written documentation.
• Develop, document, and refine procedures and workflows to enhance efficiency and user experience.
• Coordinate activities with other Access Services units and collaborate to solve complex, time-sensitive problems.

• Operations Management
• Manage service points and circulation-related tasks (checkout, check-in, renewals, holds, recalls); enforce library policies and security measures.
• Train and support centralized digital course reserves; communicate reserves policies to students and faculty; oversee scanning and reserves workflows.
• Provide Tier 1 information support; refer patrons to subject specialists as needed; ensure high-quality, user-centered service; stay informed about new tools and policy…