Head of Technical Services, Lewis Walpole Library

Overview

The Head of Technical Services for the Lewis Walpole Library provides strategic and operational leadership for technical services at the Lewis Walpole Library, including cataloging and processing in all formats for materials dating from the 16th century to the present. The position reports to the Director of Special Collections Technical Services based in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, with a secondary report to the Librarian and Executive Director of the Lewis Walpole Library.

The Lewis Walpole Library is a Yale Library research center for the study of the British eighteenth century and is located in Farmington, CT.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Lewis Walpole Library’s technical services.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Lewis Walpole Library and Yale Library’s technical services and discovery ecosystem.
• Plan, prioritize, sequence, and execute technical services work at the Lewis Walpole Library.
• Recruit, onboard, supervise, train, and mentor technical services staff. Foster a collaborative, learning‑oriented environment that supports professional growth and adaptability to evolving practices.
• Serve as the Lewis Walpole Library’s principal original cataloger, creating, enhancing, remediating, and maintaining complex bibliographic and authority records; applying national and local standards; exercising professional judgment for special collections materials.
• Manage vendor services and relationships, as needed.
• Implement and assess operational changes, including new or revised workflows, tools, and descriptive practices; evaluate outcomes; and contribute feedback to Special Collections Technical Services leadership to inform system‑wide improvements.
• Maintain oversight of onsite stacks management and coordinate closely with Preservation and Conservation Services to ensure appropriate housing, handling, and long‑term preservation of collections.
• Coordinate onsite digitization of Lewis Walpole Library holdings, following direction and guidance from the Beinecke Library’s Digital Special Collections and Access unit.
• Support the vision of the Lewis Walpole Librarian & Executive Director. Collaborate closely with the Head of Public Services and curators at the Lewis Walpole Library ensuring alignment across functions and supporting sustainable stewardship.
• Contribute to the overall management, assessment, and development of the Lewis Walpole Library, including reporting on technical services activities, participating in planning and assessment efforts, and supporting Lewis Walpole and institutional goals.
• Provide reference services for researchers as needed and oversee Reading Room operations in the absence of the Head of Public Services, ensuring continuity of service and adherence to policies.
• Participate in Yale Library committees, task forces, and professional activities at the regional, national, or international level, contributing expertise in service to the university and profession.
• Serve as the designee for the Lewis Walpole Librarian & Executive Director as necessary.
• Support institutional and operational continuity by assisting with disaster recovery efforts, working at other Library locations as assigned, and performing other duties consistent with the scope of the position.

• Ability to apply bibliographic standards and metadata practices with professional judgment, including working knowledge of AACR2/RDA, DCRM, MARC, and related standards, and the ability to interpret and implement them for describing special collections materials.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and support staff, including training at multiple levels, setting priorities, managing performance, and fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to plan, coordinate, and complete projects, manage competing demands, and adapt in response to changing priorities or constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate, build consensus, and maintain effective working relationships across units, roles, and organizational boundaries.
• Excellent…