Head of Harvard Map Collection and Curator of Maps

Head of Harvard Map Collection and Curator of Maps
Harvard College Library
Lamont Library
Cambridge, MA

The Head of Harvard Map Collection and Curator of Maps provides leadership and vision for the map collection and GIS services to advance the use of cartographic materials across the disciplines and across Harvard's user groups of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni and scholars. The library also serves an important community of researchers from New England and around the globe. This position has curatorial oversight for the map collection and manages research services, collection development, cataloging of cartographic materials, and the digitization and geo-referencing of selected maps.

The Head is responsible for leading and managing the Harvard Map Collection consisting of a team of 4 professional and .5 support staff. This position reports to the Librarian for Lamont Library and is a member of the Lamont Library management team which includes managers for Access Services, Collection Development, Environmental Information Services, Government Information Services, Morse Music and Media, Numeric Data Services and Research Services. With other team members, the Head participates in strategic planning and developing, implementing and assessing collaborative initiatives for the Library's user community. The Head of the Harvard Map Collection will lead and develop digital projects which make the rich resources of the map collection widely available. The Head will lead efforts enhance access to the significant historical collections though the use of geographic information systems and digital imaging technologies. This position is responsible for program development and outreach to the Harvard community of map and spatial data users, including the Institute for Quantitative Social Science, the Center for Geographic Analysis and the Harvard MIT Data Center. The Head oversees the unit’s collaboration with other Harvard partners in developing and supporting the Harvard Geospatial Library.

The Head has curatorial responsibility for America's oldest map collection with over half a million maps and atlases from the 15th century to the present, gazetteers and reference books on the history and science of cartography. The collection includes worldwide coverage of detailed, topographic maps. The Harvard Map Collection maintains hundreds of cartographic CD-ROMs, which consist of digital images, electronic atlases, and geospatial data sets.

Basic Qualifications:
ALA-accredited MLS required. Advanced training in geography, cartography, or related academic field required. Minimum of 3-5 years of map collection development, research services, and supervisory experience required. Demonstrated record of leadership in evaluating and implementing innovation and change in library services or programs. Demonstrated experience in heading a department and fostering teamwork, collaboration, and creativity within the department.

Additional Qualifications:
Knowledge of cartographic materials, including antiquarian rare maps and current maps for the U.S. and international countries. Knowledge of security policies and procedures and preservation best practices. Demonstrated experience in building effective and collaborative working relationships with other library managers, librarians, staff and other administrators. Dedication to mentoring staff professional development. Knowledge of geographic information systems and digital imaging technologies.

Additional Information:
The Head of Harvard Map Collection and Curator of Maps is responsible for developing unit goals, hiring and supervision of staff, budget preparation and financial management. Leads the assessment of user needs, investigations of innovative reference and teaching and outreach service models, and the development of new programs to meet user needs and changes in the curriculum. Develops the map collection including antiquarian and current printed maps, digitized maps, atlases, globes, etc. and supplements the traditional paper collection with acquisitions of corresponding digital maps and data. Oversees the map exhibit program including curating exhibits and inviting and supervising guest curators. Responsible for assessing and maintaining the preservation and security of the map collection in collaboration with the Preservation and Imaging Services and the Operations departments. Develops and supports a technologically skilled and motivated staff. Liaises with academic departments, centers, and programs to promote the use of the map collection and the department's research and GIS services. Investigates innovative technology to share cartographic resources within and outside of Harvard. Oversees the cataloging of the collection's materials. Responsible for the reference, teaching and outreach for the Harvard Map Collection.

Interested participants may apply to www.jobs.harvard.edu and search using requisition #34828.

Harvard University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Harvard University requires pre-employment reference and background screening.