Librarian for Islamic Art and Architecture

Job Summary

Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on January 3, 2022.

The Fine Arts Library at Harvard University seeks an innovative, collaborative, and user-centered Librarian for Islamic Art and Architecture to build and manage collections related to the art, architecture and visual culture of the Islamic world in all formats. Reporting to the Herman and Joan Suit Librarian of the Fine Arts Library, the incumbent will steward and develop collections, services, and programs to support the research, teaching, and learning needs of faculty, students, and fellows affiliated with the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University, as well as the broader community at Harvard. To expand access to the library’s unparalleled holdings in Islamic Art and Architecture, the incumbent will participate in local, national, and international digital initiatives and collaborative collection development partnerships.

Job-Specific Responsibilities

Collection Development, Management, and Access

Performs collection development processes for Islamic art and architecture in all formats to maintain a comprehensive research collection and cultivate new acquisitions on an ongoing basis, ensuring that diverse perspectives, underrepresented artists and artistic traditions, multiple languages, and at-risk cultural heritage within the Islamic world are meaningfully represented.

Establishes effective working relationships with approval, firm order, serial, and electronic resource vendors, as well as works collaboratively with Information Technology Services staff to ensure efficient vendor relations and materials processing workflows.

Stewards FAL’s annual allocation from the Aga Khan endowment fund and other related endowed funds, in collaboration with Suit Librarian, including budget planning and monitoring acquisition fund assignments.

Continuously evaluates scholarly publication trends in Islamic art and architectural history, so that the collection responds to evolving disciplinary areas and methods of scholarship.

Works collaboratively with FAL librarians to oversee overall collection management, preservation, and access to the library’s holdings.

Collaborates with FAL librarians to negotiate, acknowledge, and process gifts of materials and funds.

Together with the Photographic Resources Librarian and Visual Resources Librarian for Islamic Art and Architecture, acquires photographic materials and prioritizes items for digitization, preservation, or special projects.

Together with the Visual Resources Librarian for Islamic Art and Architecture, develops long-range digital strategy for Islamic visual collections and implements projects involving exhibition, digitization, and dissemination.

Contributes to the promotion of FAL materials related to the Islamic world, using social media tools, online exhibition platforms, and emerging technologies.

Exchanges information and best practices with selectors across Harvard Library to coordinate acquisitions, in particular the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Division in Widener Library and the Frances Loeb Library at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Contributes to professional organizations at the national and international level and uses knowledge to enrich local collections, services, and programs.

Basic Qualifications

Master’s degree in library and/or information science or equivalent experience

Advanced degree or equivalent work experience in the history of art and architecture of Islamic cultures, or the equivalent combination of education, experience, and/or background, etc.

2+ years related professional experience

Demonstrated ability to effectively support the information needs of faculty, students, and advanced researchers

Knowledge of at least one language relevant to the collection (e.g., Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, Urdu, etc.)

Additional Qualifications and Skills

5+ years related professional experience preferred

Extensive in-depth subject knowledge of the field of Islamic Art and Architectural History

Working knowledge of more than one language relevant to the collection (e.g., Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, Urdu, etc.)

Working knowledge of Western European languages (e.g., French, German, Spanish, Italian, etc.)

Hands-on experience with library acquisitions, budgeting, and reporting applications

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with culturally diverse library users and colleagues

Experience working with special collections in an academic setting

Demonstrated knowledge of print and digital publishing and scholarly communications in the Islamic world

Strong technology skills and an enthusiasm for adopting innovative approaches that expand access to collections and to facilitate their use in research, teaching, and learning

Record of engagement with professional groups and activities and/or contributions to professional or scholarly literature

Physical Requirements

The ability to use desktop (keyboard, monitor, and mouse) and mobile computing tools, such as laptops and tablets

The ability to lift, carry, and position books and other materials weighing up 15 lbs.

Additional Information

Job Specific Responsibilities Continued

Outreach and Engagement

Provides subject-specific reference, research, and instruction services for Islamic art and architectural history for faculty, students, and researchers throughout the University community

Promotes services and sets collection priorities based on research and curricular needs of faculty, students, fellows, and staff affiliated with the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard University, as well as the Department of History of Art and Architecture, The Aga Khan Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, The Center for Middle East Studies, The Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Islamic Studies Program, Art, Film, and Visual Studies, and The Harvard Art Museums, among others

Participates in FAL’s general research, teaching, and learning services, including contributing to regular hours of support for special collections researchers in collaboration with other librarians

Collaborates with FAL staff in developing, assessing, and promoting services and collections to effectively meet user needs

Actively participates in relevant committees, working groups, and task-forces across Harvard Library

Cultivates strategic external partnerships to develop and expand access to collections, in particular the Aga Khan Documentation Center @ MIT Libraries

Job Function

Library

Location

USA – MA – Cambridge

Job Code

386057 Library Professional

Sub-Unit

–

Department

Fine Arts Library

Time Status

Full-time

Salary Grade

057

Union

00 – Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

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.

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

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.