Position Description

Department: 041192/Library

Position title: Library Assistant II – technical services

Reports to: Library Associate — Serials

General:  This full-time position supports the day-to-day operations of the library’s technical services unit, performing simple copy cataloging, serials control, and materials processing, including training and directing student workers to assist with these tasks. Also assigned regular shifts in the information commons providing basic reference assistance and technology support and assumes an active role in library planning. May be assigned to work independently on weekends and evenings.

Responsibilities and essential activities:

• Performs simple copy cataloging of monographic print materials and standing orders, under the general direction of the cataloging librarian. Creates, maintains, and updates records according to national and local standards.
• Performs serials check-in and maintenance under the general direction of the periodicals library associate. Creates, edits and maintains serials records according to established guidelines, identifies and resolves routine claiming problems, updates holdings records, and coordinates duplicate exchange activities.
• Processes books, media materials, and serials according to in-house standards, developing, monitoring, and documenting quality-control procedures in consultation with other library personnel. Monitors processing supplies for the technical services department and prepares supply orders for the library’s administrative assistant.
• Trains and directs student employees to process monographic materials in multiple formats, to perform technical cataloging support tasks, and to process and maintain the periodicals collection. Maintains training documentation for student workers.
• Assists technical services personnel in compilation of usage and collection statistics, reports, holdings lists and collection analysis information.
• Assigned regular shifts in the information commons, assisting students and other patrons in identifying appropriate research tools, developing basic search strategies, and obtaining resources in the collection or through interlibrary loan. Also provides basic technology support, assisting students with common issues related to network accounts, printing, photocopying, scanning, CD burning, or using Microsoft Office. Refers students to librarians or the technology coordinator for follow-up on complex research and technology questions as appropriate.
• Participates in planning, goal-setting, and policy development for technical services and the library as a whole. Serves on library and university committees, including participation in the hiring of library staff.
• Attends local or regional meetings, workshops, and conferences as appropriate to update skills, learn new technologies, and enhance knowledge and understanding of developments in serials and cataloging.
• Participates in the university’s emergency response plan.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Understanding of the relevance of technical services to the library’s and the university’s mission.
• Knowledge of library organization, resources, and services and familiarity with cataloging and serials practices and procedures.
• Strong service orientation and the ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and consortial colleagues.
• Ability to work independently, to solve problems, and to refer unusual problems to supervisor or other appropriate personnel in the library.
• Ability not only to follow prescribed practices and documentation, but to identify and document potential improvements to workflow and procedures.
• Ability to effectively train and direct student employees.
• Working knowledge of and experience using an integrated library systems (Innovative Interfaces preferred), other cataloging resources (OCLC), online library catalogs and databases, web search engines, and standard office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook preferred). Capacity to learn new software and technologies and to troubleshoot basic technology problems.
• Sound written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.

Physical demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moves objects (less than 40 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.

Qualifications: High school diploma (Associate’s degree preferred) and two years periodicals or cataloging experience, preferably in an academic library. The successful candidate must be supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education.