Reporting to the Associate Librarian for Technical Services, the Head of the Manuscript Section leads, manages, and supports Houghton Library’s efforts to accession, describe, preserve, and provide access to archival, manuscript, photographic, born-digital and other non-print holdings in all formats and across Houghton’s curatorial areas. The incumbent will bring a progressive, flexible, and innovative approach to this work and will be responsible for developing and/or implementing strategies, technologies, and standards that facilitate researcher access to Houghton’s holdings. The Head of the Manuscript Section supervises section staff, plans and manages projects, and collaborates with staff and departments throughout Houghton Library, and participates actively within the broader Harvard special collections and archives community.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Provides leadership and management for the Manuscript Section by developing and articulating strategic vision, building and maintaining a team spirit, managing day-to-day operations and special projects, collaboratively establishing priorities, and coordinating work within the unit and with other library units.
- Supervises a current staff consisting of six regular and project employees through delegation of tasks and projects, establishment of goals, performance reviews, and provision of training.
- In collaboration with the Associate Librarian for Technical Services, Curatorial, Public Services, and Manuscript Section staff, sets processing and cataloging priorities for Houghton archival and manuscript collections.
- Reviews finding aids, catalog records, and other descriptive output to ensure quality and adherence to standards; acts as Houghton’s OASIS Liaison.
- Explores, proposes, and implements new technologies in collaboration with Houghton, Harvard, and/or external colleagues.
- Establishes and employs metrics for archival processing and manuscript cataloging in order to enhance discovery and use of Houghton holdings and to aid in project management and grant planning.
- In concert with colleagues, develops and implements a long range and comprehensive plan to effectively process and catalog Houghton backlog collections.
- Participates in grant writing efforts, creating work plans and developing budgets for processing and cataloging projects.
- Oversees the development and maintenance of documentation for processing, cataloging, and other Section activities.
- Working with the Head, Rare Book Team and the Technical Services Librarian, assists in planning and policy creation for the Technical Services Department.
- Processes and catalogs collections and items as time permits.
- Represents Houghton within the Harvard archival and library community, both informally through communication and collaboration, and formally by serving on committees and working groups.
- Maintains an active presence in local and national professional archival organizations.