Continuing Resources Cataloger at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Harvard University


Position Title: Continuing Resources Cataloger

Req ID: 67607BR

School or Unit: Harvard Library

Description: Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the end of the day on Monday, February 10th.

Information and Technical Services actively supports the teaching and research mission of the Harvard Library by managing monograph, serial and e-resource acquisitions, metadata creation, and metadata management for the Harvard Library.

Under the supervision of the Manager for the Serials Cataloging unit in Metadata Creation, the incumbent provides timely access to Harvard Library collections by performing a variety of duties involving the creation and maintenance of bibliographic, holdings, and authority records for serials, series, and integrating resources in all formats, as well as for materials received through depository programs.

Priorities will be set to maximize contributions to the overall goals of the Information and Technical Services Department of the Harvard Library. Staff may be called upon to apply their skills and/or receive additional training in order to contribute to work in other ITS units or teams as needed to meet departmental goals and/or due to staff interest.

Position Description

• Catalogs continuing resources in all formats and performs standard bibliographic maintenance according to CONSER guidelines, including preparation and maintenance of associated authority, holdings, and item records according to appropriate national and local standards.
• Performs subject analysis and classification following national standards and local practice.
• Resolves problems of incorrect, incomplete, or conflicting bibliographic, holdings, and item data.
• May perform original cataloging for all formats, languages and material types processed by the ITS department.
• May act as liaison with other related library units within or outside the University.
• Serves as a resource for questions and problem solving, especially for copy cataloging issues, as well as for linguistic questions in areas of personal expertise.
• Provides input used in unit-wide planning, including the analysis, documentation, coordination, and implementation of workflows; collaborates with manager and staff in planning of new projects and work initiatives.
• Suggests innovations and generates ideas for improving workflows and creating efficiencies.
• May assist in hiring, scheduling, and distributing work to staff and student workers, including supervision of student workers as needed.
• Trains staff in copy cataloging and basic metadata creation methods and procedures, and reviews work of trainees as appropriate.
• Stays informed of technical services trends, changing practices, new cataloging software applications, and local technology changes. Participates in local meetings and discussion groups. Participation in professional organizations and attendance at regional and/or national conferences is valued.
• Contributes to national programs such as CONSER and NACO, as appropriate.
• Manages/supports access and discovery in systems such as Harvard's Digital Repository Service for born-digital serial materials as needed.
• Works according to changing daily priorities, demonstrates flexibility and ability to shift between multiple tasks effectively.
• Communicates with vendors, publishers, and bibliographers; conducts professional correspondence when needed to solve problems.
• Creates and updates training and procedural documentation.
• Ensures materials tracking through item record and work order creation/editing and routing newly cataloged materials according to established procedures.
• May contribute to and oversee special projects, including documentation and statistics.
• Initiates changes to systems and procedures and implements and executes approved changes.
• May create and update data for e-resources in Alma and OCLC.
• May develop and work on batch processes and other workflow efficiencies.
• May create national-level series authority records for monograph series received on standing orders or through approval plans, and for other series as appropriate.
• Performs duties with professionalism, which includes relating to others in group settings and individually in a courteous, cooperative, sensitive, and collegial manner.
• Maintains the confidentiality of all department and University information.
• Contributes to the overall goals of the department as appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• MLS or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Two years of cataloging experience required, preferably with serials.
• Solid working knowledge of RDA, LC/PCC Policy Statements, Library of Congress Subject Headings, Library of Congress Classification, and MARC 21 bibliographic formats.
• Working knowledge of authority control, including the creation and use of authority records.
• Working knowledge of at least one Germanic, Romance, or Middle Eastern language.
• Demonstrated facility with technology required, including experience with integrated library systems and bibliographic utilities, and a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Competency in keyboarding required.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Ability to use technology in creative ways to solve problems or facilitate workflow.
• CONSER cataloging and NACO experience preferred, preferably in a large research library.
• Experience in training and providing oversight of routine activities of library assistants and student employees preferred.
• Working knowledge of pre-RDA cataloging rules highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of non-MARC metadata schemas highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Middle Eastern languages or additional foreign languages of materials processed by the unit highly desirable.
• Must be able to perform work accurately with acute attention to detail.
• Ability to work productively and cooperatively in a team environment, with flexibility and versatility in an evolving work situation required.
• Must be able to remain calm under pressure and maintain a professional demeanor when assisting colleagues with problems.
• Must have excellent organization, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Must exhibit strong initiative.
• Experience with the Alma integrated library system preferred.
• Work experience in a production-oriented and technology-enhanced environment preferred.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills preferred.
• Ability to perform repetitive work accurately with fine attention to details.
• Ability to work independently to perform complex tasks.
• Ability to meet project deadlines.
• Commitment to being part of a continuous learning environment, updating skills as required to perform job duties.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and antiracism.

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.
• The work associated with this position is performed in a library/office setting.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• May interact with collections that may contain dust, mold, or other contaminants.
• At times may work in basements, attics, warehouses, and other records storage areas.

Additional Information

Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. The amount will vary based on the position and the candidate's relevant experience.

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.

LinkedIn Recruiter Tag (for internal use only)

#LI-MG1

Department Office Location: USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code: 386056 Library Professional

Job Function: Library

Work Format: Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub Unit: ------------

Salary Grade: 056

Department: Information and Technical Services/Metadata Creation

Salary Range: $68,100-$111,500

Union: 00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Time Status: Full-time

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.

EOE 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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