Librarian for the Fairbank Center Collection at the H.C. Fung Library

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

10h • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree