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Library Research Assistant Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Harvard University

Collections Librarian

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$57/hr

... Library's general collections to support the research, teaching, and learning needs of the HGSE ... May hire and supervise staff and student assistants. Collection Management and Access (20%) * Leads ...

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Library Research Assistant information

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How much do library research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for library research assistant in Boston, MA is $20.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.44 and $22.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Library Research Assistant vs Library Technician?

AspectLibrary Research AssistantLibrary Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or relevant courseworkAssociate's degree or certification in library technology
Work EnvironmentAcademic, public, or research librariesPublic, academic, or special libraries
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with research, data collection, and resource organizationManaging cataloging, circulation, and technical services
Common UsageResearch support and information gatheringTechnical and operational library tasks

The main difference between a Library Research Assistant and a Library Technician lies in their focus and responsibilities. Library Research Assistants primarily support research activities and assist users with information gathering, while Library Technicians handle technical tasks like cataloging and managing library systems. Both roles are essential in library settings and often require similar educational backgrounds, but their day-to-day duties differ based on their focus areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a library research assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Library Research Assistant, you need strong research, information retrieval, and organizational skills, often supported by coursework or experience in library science or a related field. Familiarity with library databases, cataloging systems, and digital research tools like JSTOR or ProQuest is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and customer service skills help you collaborate with library staff and assist patrons efficiently. These abilities ensure accurate information delivery and foster a supportive learning environment for library users.

What does a library research assistant do?

A Library Research Assistant supports librarians and library users by helping with research tasks, locating resources, and organizing materials. They often assist patrons in finding books, articles, or data, and may help with cataloging or maintaining digital collections. Research assistants may also support academic projects, gather information for faculty or students, and help manage interlibrary loans. Their work ensures library services run smoothly and users have access to the information they need.

What are some common challenges faced by library research assistants when supporting patrons with research inquiries?

Library Research Assistants often encounter challenges such as locating credible and up-to-date resources across diverse subjects, especially when patrons have complex or interdisciplinary research needs. Balancing multiple requests during peak periods can also be demanding, requiring strong organizational and time management skills. Additionally, they may need to guide users who are unfamiliar with library databases or digital tools, which calls for patience and clear communication. Successful Library Research Assistants are adaptable and resourceful, often collaborating closely with librarians and academic staff to ensure patrons get the most accurate and relevant information.
What are popular job titles related to Library Research Assistant jobs in Boston, MA? For Library Research Assistant jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Library Research Assistant jobs in Boston, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Library Research Assistant jobs in Boston, MA are:
What cities near Boston, MA are hiring for Library Research Assistant jobs? Cities near Boston, MA with the most Library Research Assistant job openings:
Library Research Assistant jobs near you

Collections Librarian

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$57/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 hours ago

Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Company Description
By working at Harvard University, you join a vibrant community that advances Harvard's world-changing mission in meaningful ways, inspires innovation and collaboration, and builds skills and expertise. We are dedicated to creating a diverse and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.
Why join the Harvard Graduate School of Education?
The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is a diverse community of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.
Many choose to work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education because they believe in our mission and are excited by our vision for the future. We have a reputation as a great place to work, for our excellent leadership, and we are a strong community that values diversity. For more information about HGSE, its programs, research, and faculty, please visit: www.gse.harvard.edu.
Job Description
HGSE's Monroe C. Gutman Library seeks a collaborative, user-centered Collections Librarian to develop, steward, and promote the Library's general collections to support the research, teaching, and learning needs of the HGSE community.
Reporting to Gutman Library's Senior Associate Director, the incumbent brings deep expertise in education and the behavioral sciences subject areas and aligns collection activities to meet curricular needs, faculty and student scholarship, school research initiatives, and evolving disciplinary trends.
The Librarian collaborates closely with several teams in Gutman Library and coordinates regularly with Harvard Library service units and peers in other campus libraries.
Job-Specific Responsibilities
Collection Development (50%)
  • Develops collection strategies to support curricular needs, faculty scholarship, school research initiatives, evolving disciplinary trends, and open scholarship initiatives.
  • Manages and reviews collection expenditures, including unrestricted, endowed, and gift funds, in collaboration with Gutman Library leadership. Works with HGSE Finance, and Harvard Library Finance on reporting and financial workflows. May include donor communication.
  • Coordinates purchasing workflows and fund management for education liaison librarians with program- or subject-based selecting responsibilities.
  • Collaborates with the Special Collections Librarian & Archivist and Special Collections Team on purchasing workflows and policies, managing in-kind gifts (including those from faculty retirements), and coordinating the periodic transfer of materials from the general collections into Special Collections or the Harvard University Archives.
  • Represents HGSE and Gutman Library at Harvard Library's Shared Harvard E-Resources (SHAER) meetings and participates in other collaborative and coordinated collection development activities across Harvard Library.
  • Ensures acquired resources are easily discoverable and, for e-resources, compliant with university accessibility and access/authentication requirements. Coordinates description updates or enhancements with the Education Metadata Librarian and troubleshoots access issues with the Harvard Library E-Resources Unit or Library Technology Services as needed.
  • Assesses the collection to inform purchasing, licensing, renewal, and withdrawal decisions. Leverages evidence-based reporting techniques, available user or collections data, and explores new and emerging tools, trends, and techniques, including GenAI, to support assessment.
  • Coordinates database/e-resource trial and renewal assessments with rotating members of the Gutman Library Research, Teaching, and Learning Team.
  • Supports promotion of new resources and thematic collection displays led by the Gutman Library Communications and Administration Coordinator and the Communications Committee.
  • Coordinates with Harvard Library Imaging Services on strategic digitization projects and over-the-counter digitization workflows. Projects will be determined and prioritized internally with members of the Special Collections Team.
  • May hire and supervise staff and student assistants.

Collection Management and Access (20%)
  • Leads the Collection Management & Access Team, ensuring CMA Team goals and priorities are met. The team primarily focuses on physical collection projects (e.g., shifts, weeds, transfers, etc.), process improvement, and documenting activities for Harvard Library supported acquisition to access workflows (e.g., acquisitions, cataloging, end processing, mending, binding, and stacks management). This includes liaising regularly with the following central Harvard Library units: ITS, Preservation, Access.
  • Sets team priorities and project goals and objectives with the Education Metadata Librarian and consults Access Services staff.
  • Participates in Collections Emergency Planning activities for Gutman Library.

Course Materials Administration (20%)
  • Sets policy for Gutman Library's course materials purchasing and fulfillment activities, ensuring alignment with HGSE and Harvard Library priorities and policies.
  • Builds and maintains strong working relationships with HGSE units involved in course administration, setup, and delivery (e.g., Faculty Support Services, Teaching and Learning Lab, Registrar, IT), including providing training, communicating changes and policies, and collaboratively troubleshooting issues.
  • Participates in processing course materials requests, including courses with unique set ups and specially licensed content; provides additional support during peak periods.
  • Serves as an escalation point for complex or high impact issues related to course materials workflows, copyright and fair use, digital accessibility, student accommodation, and other specialized course needs.
  • Leads continuous improvement by reviewing workflows and assessment data (e.g., usage, turnaround times, collection gaps), recommending changes to Gutman Library practices and Harvard partners, and identifying opportunities to shift faculty toward open and more affordable educational materials in collaboration with the Open Education Research Librarian.

Other Duties (10%)
  • Participates in other Gutman Library functional or cross-functional teams as needed.
  • Serves as an active member of the Gutman Library Council.
  • Participates in HGSE staff committees or activities.
  • Participates in Harvard Library governance structure activities, such as committees, working groups, and discussion groups.
  • Engages in professional development, external service, and scholarly work.

Working Conditions
  • The position is based on site in Cambridge, MA.
  • There may be the opportunity for a flexible or hybrid work model compliant with Harvard University remote work policies.
  • May interact with collections that contain dust, mold, or other contaminants.
  • May encounter the need to lift 25-pound boxes, maneuver fully loaded book trucks, and perform tasks that involve lifting, reaching, grasping, stepping up and down, and kneeling.

Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
  • An M.L.S. from an ALA-accredited program.
  • Minimum of three years related experience, post-M.L.S.
  • Candidates wishing to be considered must submit a resume and cover letter.
  • Candidates advancing to the final round of interviews will be asked to visit campus for a series of meetings with colleagues and stakeholders and may be asked to prepare a presentation.

Additional Qualifications and Skills:
  • Three years of direct experience in collection development and assessment.
  • Experience with collection development and assessment activities in education and behavioral sciences subject areas and/or at doctoral, research-intensive institutions.
  • Evidence of a strong user-focus and service orientation and ability to work effectively with faculty, students, visiting scholars, library colleagues, and members of the public.
  • Ability to organize, prioritize, and schedule work in a team-based, "managing across," environment.
  • Evidence of strong writing and communication skills, particularly related to technical and workflow documentation.
  • Commitment to professional development, such as ongoing acquisition of new skills or subject knowledge, and active engagement with professional organizations.
  • Ability to create and maintain a scholarly research agenda related to the position's duties and responsibilities.
  • Experience in managing and planning with restricted, endowed, and gift funds and working with collection donors.
  • Experience with financial support of open access, open data, and open education collection initiatives.
  • Experience in negotiating licenses with data providers and vendors.
  • Working knowledge of library, learning management, reporting, and productivity systems, or equivalents, such as Alma, GOBI, Canvas, JIRA, Oracle.
  • Working knowledge of copyright, privacy, and confidentiality in the context of collection development, course materials, digitization and access in libraries, archives, and special collections.

Additional Information
  • Standard Hours/Schedule: 35 hours per week
  • Compensation Range/Rate (including Shift Differential if applicable): $90,000 - $95,000 commensurate with experience.
  • Visa Sponsorship Information: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
  • Pre-Employment Screening: Identity and Education

Work Format Details
This position has been determined by school or unit leaders that some of the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed at a non-Harvard location. The work schedule and location will be set by the department at its discretion and based upon operational needs. When not working at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location, employees in hybrid positions must work in a Harvard registered state in compliance with the University's Policy on Employment Outside of Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. Certain visa types and funding sources 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.

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