Chinese Librarian Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) is the historic heart of Harvard University. It is the home of Harvard's undergraduate program (Harvard College, founded in 1636) as well as all of Harvard's Ph.D. programs (the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, founded in 1872), Harvard Athletics and the Division of Continuing Education. The 40 academic departments and 30+ centers of the FAS support a community unparalleled in its academic excellence across the broadest range of liberal arts and sciences disciplines. Together, the FAS seeks to foster an environment of ambition, curiosity and shared commitment to knowledge and truth that elicits excellence from all members of our community and prepares the next generation of leaders through a transformative educational experience.

Job Summary:

This is a dedicated academic librarian position responsible for supporting the research, teaching, and learning related to the study of contemporary China in the social sciences across the university. It combines deep subject knowledge, advanced language skills, and expertise in interdisciplinary perspectives in the social sciences. It provides high-level research assistance, develops a premier collection, and fosters scholarly engagement with counterparts in China and beyond. Across all aspects of the position, research support, teaching, collection building, collaboration, technical services, and management and administration, the position works to ensure that the library remains an indispensable hub for research and learning about contemporary China. This is a part of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, reporting directly to the Faculty Director.

Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Research and Instruction Support:

• Provides research consultation services for faculty, students, and visiting scholars working on China-related topics.
• Delivers classroom instruction sessions on library resources and strategies for navigating Chinese-language materials.
• Collaborates with faculty to integrate library resources into syllabi and to support the development of courses.

Collection Development and Management:

• Acquires, curates, and manages essential materials in both English and Chinese, including print, archival and special collections.
• Identifies, selects, and evaluates materials to support teaching and research needs, using knowledge of the language, scholarly trends, and social/political landscapes.
• Develops finding aids, and oversees management of the stacks, the reading room, and special collections.
• Maintains strong relationships with domestic and international vendors, networks, and partner institutions to acquire rare or difficult-to locate materials.
• Manages all Alma system transactions: ordering and invoicing both books and journals, claiming missing journals, running batch jobs for special projects and designing and generating reports in Alma analytics.
• Manages all contacts with vendors, setting up vendors in B2P and Alma, and using all relevant procedures, requirements, regulations, and policies related to specialized expertise.

Collaboration, Outreach, and Scholarly Engagement:

• Works closely with faculty, researchers, and Center leadership to support academic initiatives and scholarly programs.
• Engages in outreach to promote library resources within and beyond the University.
• Develops and sustains collaborative projects with libraries, archives, academic institutions, and individuals in China and elsewhere.
• Ensures the collection remains the preeminent global resource for research on contemporary China.
• Participation in a variety of China-related Center activities.

Technical Services:

• Catalogs English- and Chinese-language materials, performing both copy and original cataloging.
• Handles routine technical workflows such as preparing materials for binding and scanning/copying requests.

Management and Administration:

• In consultation with Fairbank Center leadership, provides strategic direction for the collection, aligning acquisitions and services with institutional priorities and scholarly needs.
• Monitors global scholarly output across disciplines.
• Oversees library operations, budget, facilities, and long-term planning in collaboration with the Fairbank Center and other academic units.
• Represents library at Fairbank Center Executive Committee to oversee and advise on library developments, budget concerns, and related issues.
• May supervise staff, student, or temporary employees.

Working Conditions:

This is a fully on-site position.

May interact with collections that may contain dust, mold, or other contaminants. The work associated with this position is performed in a library/office setting. At times may work in basements, attics, warehouses, and other records storage areas.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to remain in a stationary position up to 50% of the time. Must be able to move about inside the library to move boxes, access books, office machinery, files, etc.

Basic Qualifications:

MLS degree from an accredited library science program

Minimum of 4 years of experience in an academic or other type of research library.

Experience in China-related library environment.

Proficiency in Mandarin and written Chinese.   

Additional Qualifications and Skills:

Expertise in China studies, including familiarity with scholarly fields and contemporary research trends.

Degree in Asian Studies or related subjects.

Professional fluency in reading, writing, and spoken Chinese, with ability to make appropriate acquisition choices and to communicate effectively with vendors, contacts, overseas patrons, and potential exchange partners, and to follow developments on Chinese social media.

Deep knowledge of Chinese-language research tools, publishing markets, and archival sources.

Strong communication, collaboration, and outreach skills. 

Strong on-the-ground relationships throughout China.

Ability to support diverse communities and to contribute to international partnerships.

Experience and competency in both copy cataloging and original cataloging of unique Chinese-language materials.

Computer literacy and working knowledge of print and electronic information resources.

• Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
• Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity, Education
• Other Information:

  May require occasional travel, including sourcing trips to China. 

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Work Format Details

This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that all duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location. Certain visa types may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

Salary Grade and Ranges

This position is salary grade level 057. Please visit Harvard's Salary Ranges to view the corresponding salary range and related information. 

Benefits

Harvard offers a comprehensive benefits package that is designed to support a healthy work-life balance and your physical, mental and financial wellbeing. Because here, you are what matters. Our benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Generous paid time off including parental leave 
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one 
• Retirement plans with university contributions 
• Wellbeing and mental health resources 
• Support for families and caregivers 
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement 
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks 

Learn more about these and additional benefits on our Benefits & Wellbeing Page. 

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard's academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university's non-discrimination policy. Harvard's equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.