Fine Arts Library Diversity Fellow for Indigenous Art at Harvard University

Job Title: Fine Arts Library Diversity Fellow for Indigenous Art

Location: Cambridge, MA

Salary: $66,200 – $108,200

Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on February 16, 2024.

This is a two-year fellowship (anticipated start July 2024).

The Fine Arts Library at Harvard University seeks an innovative, collaborative, and user-centered applicant to build collections related to Indigenous art, architecture, and visual culture globally in all formats. The incumbent will also develop related services and programs to support the research, teaching, and learning needs of faculty and students in these and related areas, as well as the broader community at Harvard and beyond. Reporting to the Herman and Joan Suit Librarian of the Fine Arts Library, the Fellow will join a team of art librarians with complementary subject and format specializations, providing an opportunity to contribute to a dynamic and supportive community of practice that extends to other related repositories across Harvard Library. The Fellow will be fully incorporated into the day-to-day operations of an art research library, working alongside other librarians to provide access to FAL’s general and special collections and amplify their use via research support, outreach, and engagement. This fellowship will provide an early career librarian or scholar of Indigenous Art an opportunity to gain experience and develop skills in core areas of academic librarianship while actively applying and honing their subject knowledge.

This is a two-year fellowship.

Position Description

Collection Development

  • With guidance from FAL’s Collection Development Librarian and in collaboration with other librarians, performs collection development processes for Indigenous art, architecture, and visual culture globally in all formats to maintain a comprehensive research collection and cultivate new acquisitions.
  • Manages a fund for the purchase of relevant general collection materials with guidance from FAL’s Collection Development Librarian and works in consultation with FAL librarians for the purchase of special collections.
  • Articulates an ethical and culturally sensitive approach for acquiring research materials related to Indigenous art for FAL and works with FAL’s Collection Development Librarian to incorporate into FAL’s overall collection development policy.
  • Works collaboratively with FAL librarians to oversee overall collection management, preservation, and access to the library’s holdings, both general and special collections.
      • Manages the queues for special collections cataloguing and preservation.
  • Exchanges information and best practices with selectors across Harvard Library to coordinate acquisitions of relevant materials, in particular Tozzer Library for Anthropology, Widener Library, and the Frances Loeb Library at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
      • Initiates discussions between FAL and Tozzer Library with regard to collaborative collecting for Indigenous art and visual culture.

Research Support, Outreach, and Engagement

  • With guidance from FAL’s Research and Collections Librarian and in collaboration with other librarians, provides subject-specific reference, research, and instruction services.
  • Creates online research tools to support users seeking relevant collections, services, and resources at FAL and across Harvard Library.
  • Develops outreach strategies to deepen faculty and student engagement with research materials related to Indigenous art at FAL in collaboration with FAL’s Research and Collections Librarian.
  • Participates in FAL’s general research, teaching, and learning services in collaboration with other FAL librarians, including direct engagement with researchers using FAL’s special collections.
      • Coordinates communications with patrons regarding requests for special collections material and appointments for consultation.
      • Ensures coverage and contributes regular hours of support for researchers in the special collections study room in collaboration with FAL librarians.
      • Facilitates the movement of special collections materials across campus as needed.
  • Collaborates with FAL librarians to promote relevant collections by contributing to FAL’s social media channels and developing physical and online exhibitions.
  • Actively participates in relevant committees, working groups, and task forces across Harvard Library and uses knowledge to enrich local collections, services, and programs.
  • Builds relationships with campus partners such as the Harvard University Native American Program, Department of History of Art and Architecture, Department of Art, Film, and Visual Studies, Harvard Art Museums, etc.

Basic Qualifications

  • MA in Library Science or advanced degree in Art or Architectural History or related field with subject expertise in Indigenous Art.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of or experience with Indigenous Art.
  • Minimum of 1-year professional work experience. Professional experience may include internships and volunteer experience.

Additional Qualifications And Skills

  • Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with culturally diverse library users, colleagues, and across departments.
  • Basic understanding of collection development within libraries.
  • Experience with teaching or library instruction preferred.
  • Familiarity with basic preservation and conservation issues related to general and special collections.
  • Strong service orientation.
  • Ability to work both independently and with a team.
  • Ability to learn new technologies and systems.

Physical Requirements

  • This position requires moving materials weighing up to 40 lbs and moving heavily loaded book trucks.

Working Conditions

  • The work associated with this position is performed in a library/office setting. Some work requires contact with dust, dirt, and/or mold.
  • Onsite position based in Cambridge, MA. The regular schedule will be 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. There may be the opportunity for 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.

Work Format Details

  • This position is based primarily on-campus, in Massachusetts. This may include in-person during emergency situations (if applicable). Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types 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.

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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.

EEO 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.