Harvard Book Store 1256 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138

Website Email Date Posted:

September 29, 2026

Region:

Eastern Massachusetts Category:

Retail/Sales/Waitstaff Type:

Full-Time Bookseller Description:

Overview Harvard Book Store is looking for booksellers to staff our newly announced second location due to open in Fall 2026 in historic downtown Boston. We are seeking booksellers with a passion for literature to provide a high level of service to our customers. Booksellers will report to Bookselling Supervisors, and to the Store Operations Manager. Responsibilities Booksellers should expect a variety of tasks every day, covering all the tasks from receiving shipments of books as they come in the door, to ringing up sales of books for customers on the way out the door. This position requires active communication, flexibility, and coordination with other staff. It is essential that booksellers are available to work a variety of shifts including morning, evening, and weekend shifts. Daily work consists of some combination of the following tasks. These responsibilities include but are not confined to: Operation of our point of sales and inventory system to search for books, create and check up on the status of special orders, and ring in sales Answering questions over the phone and at our Information Desk. Staff at our stores may answer hundreds of questions a day. Shelving books and maintaining the organization of our stock. Maintaining the organization of all products in a timely and accurate manner, including event stock, daily inventory, and customer orders. The goal is to accomplish this within 24 hours of a shipment's arrival. Daily acceptance (or rejection, when necessary) of shipments as they arrive; assisting in unloading shipments from trucks and in loading them into the store and sorting them preparatory to receiving. Organization of stock for author events or other promotions. Accurately processing and routing paperwork and data management in iMrchnt inventory system. Boxing, shipping, and recording of returns and customer orders. Working with both the controller's office and our vendors to track and rectify errors in shipping, billing, or credit in receiving or returns. In coordination with other RRS Staff, sorting and daily delivery of mail and packages. Maintaining the orderliness and cleanliness of all relevant work spaces and store bathrooms, including stocking essential supplies for the store's daily operations. Other duties as requested

Benefits and Schedule Pay:

Starting wages begin at $17.00 per hour. Weekend shifts will be earned at a premium 1.25 times the regular wage.

Schedule:

This full-time, 40 hours per week hourly position. Weekend and evening availability is required; booksellers will not work every weekend or evening, but all our staff work a variety of shifts each month.

Benefits:

medical, vision, and dental insurance; vacation, sick, and personal paid time off; a store discount; and a company-managed 401K. This is a union eligible position, represented by United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America. About Harvard Book Store Harvard Book Store operates an academic and general-interest bookstore in Cambridge, a warehouse in Needham, and an e-commerce platform at harvard.com. Harvard Book Store was founded in 1932 in Harvard Square and is known as an innovator in the field of bookselling, celebrated for its inventory of new, used, and remainder books. The store is renowned for its award-winning author event series, hosting hundreds of book talks, both on-site and off-site in Boston and Cambridge. Over the years the store has been recognized by local polls and publications, includingBoston magazine's "Best Bookstore" (2014), "Best Literary Series" (2017, 2018), "Best Neighborhood Shop" (2019), and "Best Virtual Author Series" (2020, 2021), and "Best Old-School Bookstore" (2022). Harvard Book Store is excited to open a new location in downtown historic Boston in Fall 2026.

Qualifications:

An ideal candidate will have: A passion for books. Experience in retail or the book industry, especially in customer service roles. While not a strict requirement, this is preferred. Reliability and punctuality. A keen eye for detail with strong organizational skills. Comfort working with or learning Google Workspace, Slack, and iMrchnt-our inventory management software. The ability to cooperate and coordinate with other staff and departments. The temperament to thrive in a busy environment. The ability to stand for long periods of time and lift boxes up to 50 pounds. We recognize that many women, members of historically marginalized or underrepresented groups, and those with untraditional backgrounds may be less likely to apply when they do not possess all ideal skills and experience. We encourage applicants to apply if they meet most, if not all, skills and experience.

How To Apply:

Harvard Book Store is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applicants regardless of ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. Fill our application at harvard.com/about/employment and send it in to unionstreetmanager@harvard.com . Resumes and cover letters can be submitted as supplemental materials.

Apply by:

October 31, 2026

Salary:

17.00 / Per hour About this

Organization:

An independent and locally-owned landmark bookstore operating storefronts in Harvard Square, Cambridge and historic downtown Boston. Back to Search Results Other listings by this Org Home