Associate Librarian for Collection Services

Job Summary

Reporting to the HDS Librarian, the Associate Librarian for Collection Services (ALCS) is responsible for managing the library's efforts to ensure that its patrons have the content they need to pursue successfully in their academic and administrative goals. The ALCS develops and manages the library's general collections (in all formats), supervises staff who develop and manage the library's historical and archival collections, and conducts ongoing assessment of how well those efforts are meeting the evolving needs of patrons.

Position Description

• Serves as a member of the Librarian's management team, along with the Associate Librarian for Research Services and the Access Services Manager, in order to participate in overall planning, budgeting, assessment, and policy development for the library.
• Develops annual operational goals, long-term strategic goals, priorities, workflows, and policies for all curatorial activity and manages daily operations of the unit.
• Maintains and analyzes statistics related to the unit's activities and oversees regular evaluation of its operations in the interest of continuous improvement.
• Manages vendor approval plans and firm ordering for HDSL general collections in all formats, collaborating with colleagues in other Harvard libraries and at partner institutions to avoid unnecessary duplication.
• Maintains working relationships with appropriate staff in Harvard Library (HL) to ensure that the library's general collections are being processed adequately and expeditiously and delivered to the appropriate repository.
• Supervises, assesses the performance, and cultivates the professional development of a Curator of Historical Collections, a Curator of Manuscripts and Archives, a Digital Archivist, and a Collections Assistant.
• Manages the acceptance, receipt, and triage of items and collections offered to the library as gifts in collaboration with unit staff.
• Establishes and manages digitization priorities and workflows in collaboration with other staff.
• Manages the library's limited microfilming program.
• Manages the growth of on-site collections, using policy-driven weeding and transfers to offsite storage as mechanisms for reserving space for resources to which patrons need regular and ready access.
• Coordinates the development of policies and procedures governing the security of the library's collections and governing patron access to special collections.
• Leads efforts to monitor the physical environment of on-site collections and works with HL Preservation Services and HDS Operations to maintain desired environmental conditions.
• Coordinates local collections emergency readiness and response.
• Collaborates with HL Preservation Services to arrange for routine and post-emergency mitigation of wear, damage, and contamination of collections.
• Plans and coordinates the moving of collections as needed, drawing on the assistance of HL Access Services and other partners as appropriate.
• Participates in the library's efforts to promote awareness of its resources and services through social media, exhibits, and other programming.
• Cultivates positive relationships with faculty, students, administrators, and colleagues.
• Serves on relevant HDSL, HL, regional, and national committees.
• Participates in HDSL, HDS, and HL staff meetings.
• Participates in appropriate professional associations.
• Cultivates awareness of trends and best practices in the curation of academic library content, assessing and integrating these as appropriate.

Basic Qualifications

• Master's degree in library/information science from an ALA-accredited school.
• Advanced degree in the study of religion or a related subject.
• At least four years' experience in content curation in an academic library.
• At least two years of experience managing others.
• Experience assessing the quality of collections, programs, and services.
• Candidates wishing to be considered must supply a cover letter in addition to a resume.

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Familiarity with current trends and challenges in the curation of historical and/or archival collections.
• Familiarity with contemporary metadata standards in academic libraries.
• Familiarity with appropriate library and standard productivity software.
• Knowledge of best practices for handling, securing, and preserving library materials.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of languages other than English that are important for the study of religion.
• Experience in cross-departmental or cross-institutional collaboration.
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and execute projects successfully.
• Commitment to communication, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

*IMPORTANT NOTE: Your cover letter and resume should be combined into a SINGLE DOCUMENT under the resume tab. Cover letters are required for every position at Harvard Divinity School. We regret that the Harvard Divinity School does not provide Visa sponsorship.*

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 40 pounds

Working Conditions

This position is based in Cambridge, MA and requires an on-campus presence. All HDS positions have a regular schedule of Monday - Friday, 9am - 5 pm. A hybrid schedule, involving some remote work, may be possible, subject to business needs and manager and HR review/approval. HDS may adjust flex schedules as necessary or appropriate. Harvard has an established Flexwork Policy .


Please Note: We are currently conducting interviews virtually for selected candidates. Final interviews may be conducted on campus.


The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Additional Information

Starting salaries typically fall in the lower half of the salary range; however, they are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity.


Harvard Divinity School seeks to respect, understand, and learn from all cultures, beliefs, and faith backgrounds, including those who are unaffiliated with a traditional denomination, of the members of our diverse community. HDS actively seeks and welcomes people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, persons with disabilities, and people at intersections of these identities.


Founded in 1816, Harvard Divinity School is most religiously diverse divinity school in the United States and is one of 12 graduate/professional schools at Harvard University. HDS is grounded in pluralism and fosters the kind of thoughtful, respectful exchange of ideas that is vital for human flourishing. The School's degree programs prepare students for careers in academia, ministry, and a wide range of roles across the nonprofit, private, and public sectors.

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