Job ID: 327254
Location: Twin Cities
Job Family: LR-Technical
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
• Five (5) years of relevant library experience. College education can be substituted for experience on a year for year basis up to three (3) years.
• Experience providing library reference and research assistance.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative organizational environment.
• Strong commitment to providing excellent customer service.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; comfortable with public speaking.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with integrated library systems.
• Ability to lead, manage, and successfully complete multiple assignments.
• Strong skills with Microsoft Office, web, and Google applications.
• Ability to speak a language other than English, preferably Somali, Hmong, Chinese, or Spanish.
About the Job
Unit Overview:
The Information Services Unit, within the Access and Information Services (AIS) Department in the Research & Learning Division, is housed within the Music and Wilson Libraries on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. The unit is made up of a number of functional areas that support staffing for 4 distinct service points including in-person and virtual reference services, user experience, History Day program administration, accessibility services, outreach, service design and assessment.
Responsibilities:
Information & Access Services: 25%
• Acts as expert user for specific disciplines and tools, responding to questions from staff and users as needed, and in supporting the University Libraries tiered reference model.
• Staffs the information services desk, providing reference, information and access services that require judgment and informed appraisal of the user’s needs, based on thorough working knowledge of relevant library policies, procedures, tools and facilities.
• Serves as a front-line staff for digital information services, answering questions in the campus-wide chat, email queues, and making referrals as appropriate.
• Interprets circulation and MNCAT records for users.
• Makes in person and phone referrals.
• Instructs/assists users in use of online and print materials. Provides instruction in effective database search skills; beginning and advanced Boolean searching, truncation etc. Continuously develops skills related to subject and new collections/materials/e-resources
• Offers support and guidance in using information effectively in all formats.
• Assists users with library equipment (e.g., photocopier, scanner, ValuPort, microfiche/film machines).
• Troubleshoots basic computer and printer problems at public workstations. Serves as backup to staff in the SMART Learning Commons and branch libraries to assist users with software & hardware, and to troubleshoot technology issues.
• Communicates with library users and other library units concerning records, holdings, policies, and procedures issues.
• Performs daily maintenance (emptying recycling, lobby pick-up, hold shelf checks and pulling).
• Takes appropriate action during building emergencies.
• Checks-in/checks-out material; processes recalls, renewals, returns and problem books, and troubleshoots user access issues.
• Creates Circulation records for materials as needed.
• Processes Get-it Requests.
• Records, maintains and submits unit statistics using standardized recording forms.
• Promotes consistency of service standards, best practices and high standards for customer service.
• Forwards items for corrections and/or repair to appropriate units.
• Orders office supplies and printing jobs.
• Creates and renews Public Workstation Access cards for guest users.
• Interprets and negotiates fines within established guidelines (e.g. overdue fines, items on loan). Refers difficult transactions.
• Communicates with students, special privileges borrowers, and Friends of the Library patrons regarding overdue items.
• Processes replacement copies.
• Processes credit card payment transactions.
• Enters payment information in Alma for fines, lost books, etc.
• Updates and corrects patron records, including address issues, blocks, holds, and notes; adjusts patron statuses, types, and expiration dates as necessary.
• Re-activates patron records for unregistered undergraduates and graduates, Special Borrowers, Friends of the Library, and proxy cards.
Coordinate History Day Program: 40%
• Acts as primary point of contact for all requests related to History Day visits
• Manages a schedule of requested visits and gather data on visits
• Coordinates with History Department History Day TA
• Communicates with Libraries staff impacted by upcoming visits
• Coordinates visits with other partners who provide onsite school visits (i.e. MINITEX, graduate students)
• Coordinates onsite assistance during visits (e.g. Borrowing, workstations, and information and access service help)
• Coordinates special events associated with History Day (e.g. Gopherbaloo)
• Creates content for and work with staff to update and maintain History Day Libraries website
• Actively addresses problems or concerns that arise and develops appropriate, timely solutions.
• Updates supervisor on programmatic activities and create reports as needed.
Research & Learning Program Support: 15%
• Contributes to special departmental/liaison programs, projects, and events as assigned.
• Supports specific programs, as directed, with a special emphasis on those initiatives tied to the primary academic liaison departments and colleges associated with Wilson Library and associated with the Libraries’ Arts & Humanities (A&H) Department and Social Sciences and Professional Programs (SSPP) Department.
• Assists the A&H/SSPP Collections Coordinator in supporting overarching collection discussions through the development of analytical reports and templates.
• May provide language support for specific collections and user groups (dependent on qualifications).
Community Partnerships and Outreach: 15%
• Builds relationships with campus partners such as One Stop, Helping U, University Veterans Services, International Student and Scholar Services, and the Student Parent Help Center to benefit both the libraries and the communities served by these campus partners
• Represents University Libraries on the K-12 Network and participates in the College Readiness Consortium
• Provides specific support to develop and implement outreach opportunities tied to AIS program priorities, including but not limited to:
○ Working with the Undergraduate Services Librarian to support libraries outreach related to College in the Schools program and curriculum, and achievement/student success gap research
○ Working with the Director for Access & Information Services support libraries outreach related to West Bank community outreach
Committee Work, Special Assignments & General Department Support: 5%
• Keeps current with technological advances within University Libraries. Learn new software packages and apply them to support library functions/activities.
• Provides backup support as needed for other activities of the department.
• Completes special projects as assigned
About the Department
Department Overview:
The Access and Information Services (AIS) Department, as part of the University Libraries Research and Learning Division, plays a critical role in supporting the University’s research, teaching and learning through stewardship of and access to content; support of instructional, informational and research services; and engagement/outreach within the University community and to the public. The AIS Department coordinates access services, stacks management, and information services at four service points for Wilson Library and the Music Library. AIS also includes the Borchert Map Library and the Government Publications Unit where research and reference support and collection development/management are integral parts of our strong service focus. The department also provides leadership in the areas of Reserves, User Experience, Undergraduate Services, and Library Security. Wilson and Music Library collections and services provide for the library and information needs of a diverse primary audience consisting of a range of UMN Colleges in the Arts and Humanities, Social Science, and Professional Programs disciplines.
Original posting / application information: Visit the UofM Careers page and search for job id #327254