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Library Assistant III, University Library System

Wayne State University is searching for an experiencedLibrary Assistant III, University Library Systemat its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Position Purpose:

Supervise, participate, and serve as a resource in the performance of complex and specialized paraprofessional library work in order to provide technical, bibliographic and administrative support in a public or technical service unit of the library system. Position duties require the application of complex specialized skills which can be acquired through a combination of job-related training and extensive on-the-job experience.

Essential Functions:

Supervise, coordinate, and participate in a major service area or operation within the library system such as, circulation desk, bindery preparation serials acquisition, document delivery, reserve and reference collections. Coordinate reference or circulation activities which includes collection of fines, maintenance of related records and scheduling staff. Oversee and monitor work activities of subordinate personnel in implementing specialized and on-going projects.

Supervise, prepare work schedules and assignments for a large workforce of non-exempt paraprofessional and staff library support, student assistants, technicians and interns. Provide functional guidance; train and instruct in appropriate operational methods and procedures; identify training and development needs; schedule, prioritize and organize work assignments.

Serve as consultant and resource person in an area of specialization or collection, e.g. humanities, children’s literature, foreign language, reference, etc. Assist faculty, students and non-University patrons in the use of library facilities, services and collections offered; instruct in services. Answer inquiries, respond to special requests, resolve problems, and interpret complex records or little referred to policies in the delivery of services.

Perform original cataloging; establish bibliographic record, i.e., name and series authority work, subject headings, call numbers, etc. utilizing correct online fields, code indicators, etc. Catalog following Library of Congress and Anglo-American Cataloging rules. Conduct bibliographic searches and copy cataloging for foreign and out of print publications; interpret bibliographic records, policies and procedures; access computerized support systems to create, validate and update appropriate on-line records; e.g., OCLC, etc.; MARC and NACO formats.

Oversee and monitor the physical processing such as, binding and labeling of monographs, serials, periodicals, and special collections in support of preservation and collection services. Maintain appropriate records of processing activities; order replacement issues and pages for damaged materials; update on-line materials status records; create on-line records to reflect holdings and location.

Oversee and coordinate receipt, identification, creation, placement and maintenance of monographs, standing orders and classed serials for the Library system; monitor order processing activities; resolve problems as they relate to bibliographic identification and order workflows; prepare appropriate correspondence; approve invoices for payment.

Assist professional personnel in the development and implementation of specialized services and on-going projects, e.g. building, collections, database, etc. Recommend and implement changes where necessary for improved public and technical services. Develop and recommend unit operational policies, procedures, and methods of process improvement. Prepare periodic statistical activity reports, maintain unit files and record systems and monitor computer hardware/software services; resolve problems as they occur.

Assist in special projects, e.g., cataloging special collections, database clean up, gift collections, etc. Participate and facilitate on special service teams, e.g. Technical Services, Original Cataloging, Database Management, Copy Cataloging, Acquisitions, etc. to enhance the delivery of operational services.

Perform related work as assigned.

Position Schedule:

Monday thru Fridays

8:30am – 5:00pm

Primary Location:

231 Purdy/Kresge Library

Additional Comments :

This senior classification level performs very complex and specialized library work to deliver technical and public services to faculty, students and non-University patrons of the University Libraries. As such, the incumbent is performing paraprofessional duties in an area such as catalog management, acquisitions, receiving, preservation or loan and circulation. Work activities are specific in objective and content, but require the incumbent to search for solutions, new applications, creative approaches, and establish priorities and procedures. The position incumbent is expected to work independently, interpret a great quantity of data and possess considerable decision making authority over work routines. This classification supervises lower level non-exempt paraprofessional and staff support as well as student personnel. This classification is typically found in the University Libraries and reports to and receives work direction from a higher level professional and/or management position.

Unique Duties:

Unique Functions: This position works in close collaboration with a number of library units such as Acquisitions, Cataloging, and Collections. This position will need to monitor a number of internal and external listserves for the purpose of troubleshooting access issues, receiving updated resource information and maintaining general awareness of what are the latest trends in the Electronic Resource space. It will be generally helpful if the successful candidate knows, and understands, the Electronic Resource Lifecycle. This position will be expected to provide ongoing audits of our electronic holdings, often at the vendor level, to ensure online access aligns with our agreed license terms. About 20% of the successful applicants time will be working with the Digital Publishing unit that may include: identify, evaluate, prepare and ingest published scholarship from Wayne State affiliated faculty for inclusion in the institutional repository; assist with processing electronic theses/dissertations and other special projects into the repository; maintenance of repository metadata; process statistical reports; other projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from a two year community college with major coursework in library science or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Extensive experience with library bibliographic or technical procedures or library work.

Extensive knowledge of library procedures, methods, and techniques.

Extensive knowledge of interlibrary loan and document delivery services.

Reasonable supervisory and coordinative experience.

Considerable knowledge of library computerized support systems, e.g. OCLC, DOCLINE, MEDLINE, etc.

Considerable knowledge and application of Library of Congress (LC) and Anglo-American Cataloging rules (AACR2).

Extensive knowledge of complex cataloging rules, Library of Congress (LC) subject headings and classifications, coding of computerized cataloging records.

Ability to identify and distinguish between various foreign languages.

Oral and/or written communication skills.

Ability to generate reports and utilize database management programs.

Ability to handle multiple tasks; prioritize work assignments; and possess keen attention to detail.

Ability to work in a team environment.

Typically, incumbents have held lower level Library Assistant positions.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred experience working with the III’s Sierra Integrated Library System (ILS) and supporting access to electronic resources through Ex Libris Alma Electronic Resource Management (ERM) system, familiarity with Microsoft 365’s Office products such as Excel, Access, Teams, etc.... Must be able to multi-task and keep track of important resource renewal dates throughout the library’s fiscal year. This position will also support onboarding streaming content.

School/College/Division:

H01 - University Libraries

Primary department:

H0104 - Collections&Scholarly Communications

Employment type:

+ Regular Employee

+ Job type: Full Time

+ Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

+ Compensation type: Annual Salary

+ Salary minimum: $47,866

+ Salary hire maximum: $57,441

Working conditions:

Normal office environment. This position must be filled pursuant to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement, and as such may be filled by a qualified bargaining unit member, should one apply.

Job openings:

+ Number of openings: 1

+ Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.