Head of the Natural History Library Collections

Harvard University: Ernst Mayr and Botany Libraries (https://library.mcz.harvard.edu/ and https://huh.harvard.edu/libraries)

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on September 6, 2024. Apply here: https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/home/HomeWithPreLoad?partnerid=25240&siteid=5341&PageType=JobDetails&jobid=2009784#jobDetails=2009784_5341

Harvard Library seeks an innovative librarian with proven experience in natural history librarianship to develop a vision for the next phase of services and spaces supporting the natural history domain and across disciplines. 

Reporting to the Director for Sciences and Engineering Services (SES) within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Libraries, the head will oversee the Ernst Mayr Library for the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) and the Botany Libraries of the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH), and support the students, faculty, curators, and researchers in areas of natural history (including: zoology, botany, ecology, forestry, natural history, biodiversity, paleontology, marine biology, oceanography) and biology. The head will also work with the librarian at the Arnold Arboretum and the Harvard Forest.  

The position will oversee a team responsible for maintaining and strengthening strong partnerships with faculty, curators, and researchers, contributing at all points of the research lifecycle, and engaging with students in ways that encourage the full use of the Library’s many services. 

Harvard University is a founding member of the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), and continues to support BHL through membership, active committee participation, and digitization from the collections in the Ernst Mayr and Botany Libraries.  

The Head of the Natural History Library Collections (Ernst Mayr and Botany Libraries) will be a key member of the Science Libraries Council, a group of science, engineering, mathematics, and medical librarians who work together to share knowledge, keep current with developments in science librarianship, and collaborate on the selection, acquisition, and licensing of materials for research and learning across the disciplines they serve.

Position Description

Management Activities  

• Direct the strategic planning process for the natural history library collections in both Ernst Mayr and the Botany Libraries. 
• Plan, develop, administer, and evaluate library services to curators, faculty, staff, students, and visiting researchers. 
• Maintain administrative oversight of the Ernst Mayr Library and the Botany Libraries.
• Prepare and recommend the annual budget, monitor budget expenditures.  
• Collaborate and coordinate with the directors of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MBZ) and the Harvard University Herbaria (HUH) on the use of the spaces, coordination with museum collections, and future planning. 
• Manage the Ernst Mayr and Botany libraries facilities in collaboration with MCZ and HUH building operations. 
• Prioritize and lead multiple projects while meeting deadlines and budget targets. 
• Recruit, hire, manage, and evaluate staff. 
• Promote staff development activities. 
• Work collegially with peers and colleagues across the Harvard Library in a variety of committees and working groups. 

• Maintain awareness of national trends and developments in STEM librarianship with particular focus on areas of natural history and museum libraries. 
• Contribute to professional organizations at the national level, recognize library trends and opportunities, and use this knowledge to enrich local programs and strategic planning in Harvard’s science libraries. 

Research and Instruction Activities 

• Collaborate with faculty and colleagues across the library system to ensure continuing excellence in the STEM and cross-disciplinary research and instruction programs. 
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop effective strategies to meet user needs. 
• Collaborate with colleagues throughout the Harvard Library working in Research, Teaching, and Learning. 
• Provide reference and instruction services as needed in support of subject librarians.  

Collection Management Activities 

• Coordinate the management of the collections for Ernst Mayr and the Botany Libraries to ensure the selection and maintenance of well-balanced collections to support the teaching and research programs at Harvard. 
• Oversee and support, in collaboration with the Senior Archivist, the local management of special collections and archives in both libraries that support the work of the museum curators and visiting researchers.  
• Promote cooperative planning for collections, services, and preservation of materials. 
   

Outreach Activities 

• Supervise and evaluate outreach efforts to the various academic departments and programs. 
• Plan and implement a program of library services that meet the teaching and research needs of diverse departments by developing relationships within and among departments to ensure librarians have a working rapport with faculty and curators. 
• Promote collections and services both locally Harvard researchers and globally to natural history and biodiversity researchers and organizations. 
• Participate actively in professional organizations, authoring and presenting papers. 
• Support and approve loans of materials for exhibits both within and outside Harvard. 
• Maintain collaborative programs with area institutions. 

Basic Qualifications

• ALA accredited MLS or equivalent experience in academic library administration.
• Master’s degree in a related field, or other background in natural history subjects. 
• 4-6 years related management experience in a research library.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Experience with museum library work.
• Proven leadership, management, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging trends in science research and learning which affect library service.
• Demonstrated ability to foster and manage change in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork.
• Experience with the Ex Libris/Alma library management system.
• Experience with Aeon for special collections.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a decentralized matrix environment.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with faculty and students.
• Record of professional and scholarly accomplishments.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the professional development of staff.

Physical Requirements

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

Working Conditions

Digital Library Leadership 

• Create a strategic vision for the digital library that ensures library participation in international digital initiatives for STEM disciplines to provide open access to unique collections, building upon continued engagement with the Biodiversity Heritage Library.   

• Envision library initiatives to support scholarly communications and open access in collaboration and alignment with the Director of Open Scholarship and Research Data Services (OSRDS). 
• Collaborate with the Data Services Librarian for Sciences to facilitate innovative digital services and support faculty research that benefit the Harvard STEM community.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The staff of the Ernst Mayr and Botany libraries will report to this position. This includes 4 full time staff in each Botany and Ernst Mayr, which includes 2 managers with one staff member reporting to them.

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.