The Biblioteca Berenson seeks a highly collaborative, knowledgeable, and user-centered Technical Services Librarian. This position reports to the Head of the Biblioteca Berenson and works closely with other members of the technical services team in acquisitions and cataloging, and metadata.
This is a full-time position, with a one-year fixed-term contract with the possibility of subsequent conversion to a permanent position. Salary based on qualifications and experience. Applicants must be eligible to work in the European Union. I Tatti is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
Applicants should provide a cover letter, a resume, and the names and contact information of three referees. Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the end of the day on November 6, 2026.
For additional information, contact Caroline Duroselle-Melish, Head of the Biblioteca Berenson, at cdmelish[at]itatti.harvard.edu
Technical Services Librarian
This position provides end-to-end workflows for monographic and series acquisitions and cataloging in all subject areas collected by the Biblioteca Berenson, with the exception of music and music history. The position plays a central role in selecting titles in English, German, and French for acquisition, and in cataloging them. It shares in an equitable manner acquisitions and cataloging responsibilities with one other Technical Services Librarian.
In particular, the position includes the following:
- Manages the acquisitions process for monographic and series orders chiefly in English, German, and French. This includes evaluating acquisitions proposals against the collection development profile, checking the library’s existing holdings to ensure against duplication, placing orders with vendors and out-of-print or antiquarian dealers worldwide, receiving and processing shipments, and tracking the acquisitions life cycle in relevant systems.
- Tracks multiple acquisitions funds, monitors expenditures, and manages preparation and payment of invoices.
- Is responsible for all interactions with vendors, including claims, returns, creation or optimization of approval plans and standing orders, and negotiating and monitoring shelf-ready systems.
- Covers non-main vendor/out-of-print/antiquarian book orders. Is the primary point for acquiring, cataloging, and tracking older material in languages other than Italian and Spanish
- Provides original and complex copy cataloging metadata, subject analysis, descriptive metadata, call number classification, and end processing in multiple formats as needed and according to current standards, including MARC21, RDA, Library of Congress Subject Headings, LC classifications, DCRM, and local practices.
- Applies local cataloging practices including preparing books for the shelves (bookplates, barcodes, stamping).
- Works on resolution of technical services issues with colleagues both on-site and remotely at the main Harvard campus libraries.
- Creates reports and analyses of acquisitions and bibliographic data and contributes to remediation projects.
- Works closely with other colleagues to facilitate workflows, develop new systems, and enhance discoverability.
- May supervise interns and participate in their training.
- May participate in Harvard Library working groups.
- Along with other library staff, provides reference assistance (ca. 15-20% of position).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Basic qualifications
- Master’s degree or equivalent post-graduate professional qualification in Library and Information Science. In selected cases the relevant experience and demonstrated competencies listed below may suffice.
- Work experience in a research or academic library.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Reading knowledge of Italian and of at least one other modern European language, preferably French or German.
- Experience with original and copy cataloging.
- Bibliographic knowledge of major Western European languages.
- Knowledge of subject analysis and classification systems.
- Demonstrated excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; analytical ability; accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to plan, analyze, and solve problems creatively and flexibly, both independently and cooperatively with library colleagues.
- Experience working collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations.
- Ability to acquire new knowledge and skills that contribute to individual and organizational growth and may contribute to advancement of the profession.
Preferred qualifications
- An advanced degree (PhD preferred) with specialization in a medieval or early modern subject field.
- Three or more years of work experience in a research or academic library.
- Experience with acquisition procedures, including monographic and continuation orders, relations with vendors and evaluation of vendor performance and services, and invoice processing.
- Knowledge of cataloging standards, including LCRI, LCSH, LC classification, RDA, and MARC21.
- Experience with subject analysis and classification using LCSH and LC Classification scheme.
- Experience with the use of OCLC and an integrated library system.
- Familiarity with current and emerging cataloging and metadata standards and practices, and ability to adapt to a changing cataloging environment.
- Ability to handle multiple projects and priorities, meet deadlines, and work with meticulous attention to detail.
- Keeps abreast of national and international developments in library technical services, including the impact of AI technology in the publishing world.
I Tatti
Located in Florence, Italy, the Biblioteca Berenson is the library of I Tatti, one of the world’s leading institutions for advanced research in all aspects of late-medieval and early modern Italy and its place in the larger world. It is among nearly seventy libraries and collections that make up the Harvard Library. The Berenson Library’s rich collections of over 200,000 books, periodicals, and musical scores, and a growing archive of personal and institutional papers, and rare books collection, offer outstanding resources in all disciplines for the study of Renaissance Italy, its links with the larger early modern world and its resonance in more recent times. The library serves a residential community of several dozen scholars at any one time and welcomes a large number of other local and international researchers.