Serials Assistant – Law Library, University of MN Twin Cities

The UMN has suspended hiring for most positions. However, we will continue hiring for positions critical to the University’s mission and operations at this time. Applications are being accepted for this position and you are encouraged to apply. In-person interviews are suspended indefinitely and will be replaced by interviews in a virtual format. Thank you for your continued interest in working at the University of Minnesota.

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma/GED
• Five years library experience in technical services. College education may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis up to three years.
• Demonstrated proficiency using computer systems, including the ability to navigate online vendor and bibliographic databases.
• Demonstrated proficiency using common software word processing and spreadsheet applications (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Docs and Sheets).
• Relevant supervisory experience or demonstrated potential to supervise student workers.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds and push/pull 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with direct ordering of library materials.
• Demonstrated experience with Alma or other integrated library systems (ILS), including reviewing and editing bibliographic and holdings records.
• Experience with legal materials and legal information vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and independently prioritize multiple and competing work assignments.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately complete time-sensitive work with high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated skills in communication, customer service, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain established work standards and procedures, as well as adapt easily to procedural changes.

The Serials Assistant supports the operations of the Law Library’s Acquisitions Department. Primary responsibilities include ordering, receiving, and paying invoices for new materials; implementing cancellation decisions; activating and monitoring access to electronic serials; managing materials received through the Federal Depository Library Program and ensuring compliance with all federal government policies and regulations; hiring, training, and supervising student workers; and participating in the distribution of all Law School and Law Library mail.

This position is covered by the AFSCME Technical Union. Union/Fair share deductions may be made. Scheduled work days: Monday – Friday (year round)

Essential Functions

70% Serials Subscription and Depository Program Management

• Oversee all aspects of print and electronic serials subscriptions, including: placing orders; canceling subscriptions; managing renewals; and maintaining accurate records.
• Oversee and participate in all print serials check-in procedures, and electronic serials activation.
• Determine if serials issues are missing; claim and/or replace as needed.
• Troubleshoot routine access problems for electronic serials, and escalate as necessary.
• Analyze problems arising with serials management or invoices; troubleshoot ordering and/or complex payment issues as necessary.
• Communicate with vendors/distributors regarding all aspects of serials subscriptions, using email, phone, and vendor-specific customer databases.
• Develop and refine departmental standards and procedures for serials management and communicate changes to appropriate Law Library staff.
• Manage materials received through the Federal Depository Library Program in compliance with all federal government policies and regulations.

10% Law School Mail Distribution

• Independently manage daily (Monday-Friday) incoming mail distribution for the Law School from the University drop-off location, oversee this process when completed by student assistant(s), and coordinate as necessary with the Law School staff member who collaborates with the Law Library to distribute mail within the Law School.

10% Student Supervision

• Hire, train, and supervise the department’s student assistant(s), who perform the following duties: sorting, opening, and distribution of packages and mail to Law School and Law Library; check-in procedures for collection materials received on a daily basis; call number labeling; and special projects as assigned.

10% Projects, Committee Work, and Other Duties

• Attend Law Library and Acquisitions Department meetings and training sessions as necessary.
• Perform additional duties as required to ensure timely processing of all Library materials.
• Collaborate with colleagues throughout the Law Library, serve on Law Library committees, participate in departmental and interdepartmental meetings and projects, and collaborate with University Libraries staff as appropriate.

The Law Library Acquisitions department plays an essential role in acquiring and facilitating access to content and collections that support contemporary and future research and instruction aligned with Law School programs, and in developing the Law Library’s exceptional collections for use by the Law School, University, local, national, and global communities. The department does so by acquiring, licensing, activating access to, performing cataloging-on-receipt for, and processing legal materials in all formats and multiple languages in highly efficient and cost-effective ways.

Operationally, the Acquisitions department is responsible for ordering, receiving/activating, paying invoices, maintaining orders, managing serials subscriptions, managing license agreements, cataloging-on-receipt, binding, coordinating vendor record loads with the University Libraries, and monitoring/processing of approval plans, shelf-ready plans, and innovative and experimental content acquisitions project and programs, such as demand-driven acquisitions. The department consists of the Acquisitions Department Manager, 2 Labor-Represented FTE, and student workers.

Applications must be submitted online.  To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.  You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.  The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.  To learn more about diversity at the U:  https://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.