Librarian Japanese Studies

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.

At Harvard Library, we are champions of curiosity. We aim to be global leaders in expanding world knowledge and intellectual exploration. We engage with our communities in the creation and sharing of new knowledge, connecting them with the vast collections that we curate and steward through collaborations around the world. At its core, our mission for nearly four centuries has been to advance the learning, research, and pursuit of truth that are at the heart of Harvard.

Our efforts are motivated and powered by working collaboratively, embracing diverse perspectives, championing access, aiming for the extraordinary, and always leading with curiosity.

** 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.**

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.

• 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's financial policies, procedures, and protocols. In partnership with Harvard Library Finance, ensure accountability and compliance with fiduciary requirements.

• 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.

• Advanced degree in Library and Information Studies (MLS) and/or in a related field with a focus on Japanese Studies such as anthropology, area studies, art history, history,…