**Although the position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.**
Job Summary:
The Harvard-Yenching Library seeks an energetic, collaborative, and user-centered Librarian for Japanese Studies. Reporting to the Librarian of the Harvard-Yenching Library, the Librarian for Japanese Studies is responsible for developing and managing the Japanese language collection; providing reference and research support services related to Japanese studies for faculty, students, and other researchers; participating in classroom instruction; and other services that support the needs of the Japanese Studies community at Harvard and beyond.
Job-Specific Responsibilities:
- Work closely with faculty to understand current and emerging research and curricular needs to inform collections and services decisions.
- Work with vendors and donors to acquire and make accessible primary source materials and scholarly publications related to Japanese studies in various formats for both the general/circulating collection and the special collections of the Harvard-Yenching Library.
- Assist the librarians for Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese studies in acquiring Japanese-language scholarly publications relevant to their subject areas.
- Partner with faculty and others to develop and deliver classroom instruction and other learning programs related to Japanese studies.
- Collaborate with Access Services staff and other colleagues to ensure appropriate collection management for the Japanese holdings of the Harvard-Yenching Library.
- Provide comprehensive reference and research support services for Japanese studies for faculty, students, and other researchers at Harvard and the broader scholarly community.
- Update and manage online resource guides specific to Japanese studies.
- Collaborate with the Special Collection Librarian and Archivist to create and maintain finding aids for Japanese materials in the Special Collection.
- Work with the Digital Scholarship Librarian and Harvard Library Imaging Services to facilitate the digitization of unique and rare holdings in the Japanese collection.
- Partner with Harvard Library Preservation Services to facilitate the conservation and preservation of Japanese collection materials.
- Engage with librarians from other Harvard libraries (e.g., Widener Library, Houghton Library, Fine Arts Library, Law School Library) to develop and promote Japanese studies resources.
- Monitor the acquisition of Japanese studies materials in non-Japanese languages across Harvard libraries and provide recommendations to colleagues as appropriate.
- Actively participates in relevant committees, working groups, and task forces across Harvard Library.
- Promote the Japanese Collection through conference presentations, exhibitions, outreach programs, and written materials.
- Participate in inter-institutional initiatives for collaborative collection development, digitization, and other projects.
- Represent Harvard in regional, national, and international meetings and collaborations (e.g., CEAL, NCC, ReCAP, IPLC) related to Japanese studies resources.
- Contribute to the overall goals of the Harvard-Yenching Library and Harvard Library.
- Ensure responsible financial management by following Harvard University鈥檚 financial policies, procedures, and protocols. In partnership with Harvard Library Finance, ensure accountability and compliance with fiduciary requirements.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBLITIES:
- Train and supervise up to 1-2 students or temporary staff members on special projects.
- Responsible for effective staff management, including hiring and orientation, training and development, workflow and performance management, and the promotion of an inclusive and innovative work environment.