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Library Specialist for Course Reserves, Barnard College, (NYC, NY)

Posted August 29, 2023

Job Summary:The Library Specialist for Reserves coordinates and evolves all facets of the reserves program to create and sustain positive relationships between Barnard faculty, curricula, and library. Responsibilities include collaborating with the Operations team to coordinate the life cycle of reserves materials; communicating with faculty, staff, and students throughout this process; participating in Operations Team projects; and supporting Barnard College’s “commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity” (Diversity & Inclusion).

This position reports to the Student Engagement and Access Services Librarian and is part of the Library Operations Team at Barnard Library and Academic Information Services. All members of the Library Operations team cross-train and provide backup for other Operations Team positions; participate in ongoing learning; build Library relationships across Barnard and Columbia; raise the profile of the Library; and work toward equity and inclusion to contribute to a thriving work environment and a user-focused commitment to accessibility.

Position is 35 hours per week during Library open hours; must be able to work weekends. Desk coverage shifts require starting ½ hour before the Library opens and/or ending at Library close.

Job Description:

Reserves Responsibilities:

This position coordinates course reserves, a core teaching support function of the library, including, but not limited to these responsibilities:

  • Process reserve items and records for around 100 courses each semester, including coordinating the full cycle of course reserves from reaching out to faculty through rush orders to ensure on-time availability.
  • Communicate with liaison librarians and library staff across Barnard and Columbia to bring in reserve materials and determine format as well as budget.
  • Manage linking of reserves through Barnard/Columbia systems and with faculty.
  • In collaboration with the Student Engagement and Access Services Librarian, communicate with vendors to ensure and improve access.
  • Communicate with and build relationships between Barnard Library, faculty, and students using course reserves, including through maintaining the reserves website.
  • Teach liaison librarians and staff (including student staff) about the reserves process and how to communicate about reserves with faculty and students.
  • Deprocess reserve items at the end of each semester to maximize access to materials and create space for reserves.
  • In collaboration with the Student Engagement and Access Services Librarian, troubleshoot, innovate, and evolve reserves processes.
  • Maintain records (including annual report) of, review, and make recommendations based on data about the work of reserves.

Operations Team Responsibilities:

  • Cover desk, assure smooth operation of library, and support students to complete assigned projects during the absence of Library Specialists for Access and Circulation (for lunch, meeting, and out-of-office coverage) and during at least one full shift each week; provide additional coverage as needed.
  • Practice excellence in customer service across the organization and with users. Internal and external customer service work includes: contributing to user-focused accessibility of the Barnard Library, and collaborating with the Student Engagement and Access Services Librarian to consider the impact of daily work on and evolve practices to affirm staff and users of historically underserved identities.
  • Contribute to Operations Team projects, including serving as backup for Library Operations Team workflows and training Library Operations Team members to prepare them to serve as backup for collection maintenance and digitization.
  • Build and maintain positive connections with colleagues across Operations Team, BLAIS, Barnard, and the Columbia University Libraries in order to support the work of the Operations Team.
    Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

  • Demonstrated excellence in customer service in a fast-paced and vibrant environment.
  • Evidence of strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and to contribute to a team environment.
  • Experience with service in an academic library and/or with undergraduate students, faculty, and staff.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, document, prioritize, complete, and communicate about projects.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in education and/or libraries.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn new job-related skills and tools.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree preferred; 2 years of work experience in an academic and public service environment required. Combination of experience and education may be substituted.
  • Experience with (or evidence of experience learning new) software and programming including, not limited to: integrated library system (Voyager currently used), Google Suite, Microsoft suite, html/drupal, email.

This is a Local 2110 Grade 10 position.

Pay Range: $34.45/hour – $34.45/hour

How to Apply

Please submit applications here: https://barnard.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Staff/job/New-York-City-NY/Library-Specialist-for-Course-Reserves_JR2675-1

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