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Senior Library Specialist (Electronic Resources), Brown University, Providence, RI

Posted August 17, 2016

The Library is seeking applications for the position of Senior Library Specialist to work in the Technical Services-Electronic Resources department. The successful candidates will perform skilled tasks in Technical Services in support of the Library’s mission. The Sr. Library Specialist acquires and processes informational materials for the Brown University Library, describes the intellectual content and attributes of the Library’s information resources, effectively organizes these resources for best use by specific fields of study and performs functions related to the maintenance of bibliographic, holdings, order, and authority records in the Library’s online library system(s). This is a full-time position working Monday -Friday as a member of the Library’s bargaining unit staff.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  • Serves as liaison with subject specialists and library users on matters regarding the acquisition of, and access to library materials
  • Searches online and offline resources in order to identify, acquire, and describe library materials
  • Determines effective source of supply for library materials and assigns vendors accordingly
  • Orders, monitors, receives, and processes acquisitions in a variety of languages and formats encompassing firm orders, approval plans, purchase plans, exchanges, subscriptions, standing orders, gifts, and depository agreements.
  • Identifies, investigates and resolves complex problems related to the acquisition of print journals, serials, monographic series, and multi-volume monographic sets
  • Reviews vendor subscription lists for accuracy, recommends and processes vendor changes when appropriate
  • Monitors and maintains accuracy of order records for continuations ensuring that billable orders are invoiced and paid annually
  • Establishes and maintains business relationships with vendors and publishers and resolves problems related to the acquisition of library materials
  • Maintains, updates, and corrects vendor file information; inputs new vendor file information
  • Searches and orders out-of- print material
  • Searches, orders, and catalogs rush and reserve requests as received
  • Initiates, processes, reviews, and verifies financial transactions including p-card, wire transfers, and online payment tools
  • Monitors fund balances; generates and reviews reports
  • Coordinates workflow related to bibliographic searching and processing of accepted gift materials
  • Sorts, inventories, and displays gifts to assist with their selection and/or review
  • Resolves problems related to the acquisition of, and OPAC access to library materials
  • Catalogs and classifies library materials in any format and language using online and printed resources according to established guidelines
  • Creates, edits, and converts bibliographic, holdings and authority records for all formats
  • Applies various metadata standards to describe digital image collections and encode finding aids to manuscript collections 
  • Assists with maintaining currency and reliability of links to electronic resources including troubleshooting broken links
  • Verifies, assigns and reconciles subject headings, other access points, and call numbers using data from online and offline sources, and established guidelines
  • Identifies, investigates, and resolves cataloging problems following established guidelines
  • Inventories, arranges, and indexes collections with unique characteristics
  • Trains, coordinates work, directs, and records payroll for student assistants
  • Trains and provides assistance to co-workers
  • Unpacks, shelves, and/or moves library materials
  • Performs related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree with specific languages and/or subject as required or equivalent experience
  • Relevant work related experience, preferred
  • Computer skills, ability to use standard computer software packages
  • Capacity to learn new technologies and systems necessary to effective, continued job performance
  • Ability to interact favorably with co-workers and library users
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Strong problem solving
  • Ability to perform detailed work accurately with reasonable speed
  • Knowledge of one or more foreign languages may be required
  • Successful completion of a test may be required

To Apply: Please visit Brown University’s career opportunities website at: https://brown.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/staff-careers-brown/jobs and reference REQ123818. Complete an application online, attach documents, and submit for immediate consideration. Documents should include cover letter, resume, and the names and e-mail addresses of three references. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. 

Brown University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community; as an EEO/AA employer, Brown considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, gender, race, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

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