HARVARD UNIVERSITY
PROFESSIONAL VACANCY

PRESERVATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WIDENER LIBRARY
BINDING LIBRARIAN

Under the general direction of the Head of Preservation Services in Widener
Library, the Binding Librarian manages the work of the Binding and Shelf
Preparation section of the Preservation Services department; integrates its
functions with those of the department and with other departments within
Widener Library; and works in collaboration with staff throughout the
library and with commercial vendors to ensure a binding and shelf
preparation program characterized by accuracy, efficiency, reliability, and
appropriate application of technology.

Management:   Hires, trains, and supervises 4 FTE permanent staff and 3.5
part-time staff assistants performing a variety of bindery and shelf
preparation procedures.  Sets priorities, plans and directs work flow, and
monitors quality and productivity.  Develops and monitors a $255,000 binding
budget, maintains statistics, and prepares reports.  Establishes standards
for commercial binding, plating, and labeling of collections housed in the
Widener Library, and works to ensure that these standards are met.
Documents policies, procedures, and guidelines.  Maintains communication
with staff throughout the Widener Library to determine priorities, solve
problems, and ensure that binding and shelf preparation services support
library objectives.  Maintains communication with the Library's commercial
binder to articulate technical and service expectations, facilitate work
flow, solve problems, ensure a high quality end product, and keep abreast of
new developments in the industry.

Oversight of Technical Functions:  Evaluation of volumes requiring
commercial binding and the selection of appropriate binding styles; and the
identification of features that require the preparation of special
instructions to the binder.  Use of Windows-based software to prepare
binding instructions, to track materials to and from the bindery, and to
prepare a variety of statistical reports.  Preparation of regular shipments
of materials to the commercial bindery, including record keeping, check-out
and check-in, and packing and unpacking.  Preparation of instructions for
the commercial boxing of library materials, including selection of
appropriate box types.  Inspection of commercially bindings and boxes for
accuracy in spine stamping, and to determine whether special instructions
have been followed.  Evaluation of commercial bindings and boxes for
functionality and overall quality of workmanship.  Preparation of materials
for the shelf, including plating, labeling, and edge stamping.  Maintenance
of equipment.

Institutional Information:  The Harvard College Library (HCL) is the largest
unit of the 13-million-volume Harvard University Library.  The College
libraries hold more than 8 million volumes, and include the Widener Library
(over 5 million volumes in humanities and social science), three
undergraduate libraries, six special research libraries, and the Houghton
Library.  While special collections are concentrated in Houghton (500,000
rare books, 5 million manuscripts), collections of rare books, manuscripts,
photographs, prints, maps, posters, and other special collections are held
throughout the libraries.

Qualifications:  Master's degree in library science.  Knowledge of serial
publication patterns and cataloging and classification practices.
Experience using word processing and spreadsheet software.  Strong
organizational and supervisory skills, including the ability to establish
priorities and achieve goals; to train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate
staff; to encourage team work and staff development; and to plan, organize,
and direct work flow.  Ability to communicate skillfully, both orally and in
writing.  Ability to initiate and adapt to change, to analyze and solve
problems, to be flexible and work collaboratively, and to exercise judgment.
Desired:  Knowledge of commercial library binding services and technologies,
book structures and the materials used in bookmaking, and preservation
issues and principles.  At least five years of experience working in a
research library.

Available: Immediately.

Compensation: Anticipated starting salary upper $30's.  Major benefits
include twenty days annual accrued vacation; generous holiday and sick
leave; choice of health plans; dental insurance; life insurance;
disability benefits; University-funded retirement income plan; staff
tuition assistance; child care scholarships.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Please submit a
letter of application addressing qualifications, resume, and the names of
three references to:

Suz-Ann Olofson
Assistant Director of Personnel Services
Harvard College Library
Widener 190
Cambridge, MA 02138

HARVARD UNIVERSITY UPHOLDS A COMMITMENT TO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND EQUAL
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

                                                                  9/13/96