Music & Science Library Specialist/Student Supervisor, Amherst College, Amherst, MA

Posted December 4, 2023

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Music & Science Library Specialist/Student Supervisor position. The Music & Science Library Specialist/Student Supervisor is a full-time, 18-month term position, starting at $21.93 per hour – commensurate with experience. Given Amherst’s distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

The Music & Science Library Specialist/Student Supervisor manages the circulation and reserve operations of the Morgan Music Library and the Keefe Science Library. Participates fully as a member of the Access Services department. Collaborates with the other Access Services student supervisors to develop and maintain best practices and policies for student employment in the department.

Takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Music & Science Library operations

Assumes responsibility for staffing the Morgan Music Library and the Keefe Science Library circulation desks. Creates and manages the Branch Student Assistant schedule during the academic year and for breaks. Provides backup staffing when students aren’t available.
Collaborates with the Science and Arts & Humanities Librarians on goals and planning for services and policies in those branches.
Hires, trains, and supervises a diverse group of student assistants who staff the Music & Science Library desks.
Responds to patrons about overdue and billing notices generated by the online system relating to the Music & Science Library collections.
Assists faculty, students, and other patrons by answering questions and handling problems, referring to Science and Arts & Humanities Librarians when appropriate.
Coordinates signage, maintains supplies, and oversees maintenance of photocopiers and printers for the Music and Science Libraries.
Collaborates with the Access Services student supervisor team to coordinate training needs, ensure desk staffing, monitor the Access Services Supervisors email inbox, and set attendance/behavior expectations for student employees in the department.

Processes print and electronic reserves for Music & Science departments

Solicits syllabi/reading lists from faculty and Academic Department Coordinators.
Checks assigned journal articles and book chapters for availability from the Library’s databases and on the web.
Collects materials and delegates digitization, assuring quality of electronic copies.
Enters bibliographic citations, stable links and PDF files into eReserve Plus database for each course requested.
Creates print reserve collection, maintaining accurate course and material listings in library database.
Communicates with faculty and Academic Department Coordinators for clarification, copyright, and other issues.
Collaborates regularly with the Reserves Supervisor and Reserves Associate to establish and update departmental workflows for reserve processing.
Shares monitoring of and responding to messages in the reserves email account with the reserves team.
Provides backup support for reserve processing in non-science/non-music disciplines.

Supports other library departmental initiatives

Outside of peak reserve processing season, provides support to other library departmental projects.

Performs other duties/functions as requested

Attends regular department, library, division, and college-wide meetings.
Maintains documentation for areas of responsibility.

Qualifications:

Required

Associate’s degree, or 3-5 years of experience in lieu of degree.
Demonstrated exceptional customer service, including creative problem-solving and a commitment to equitable access.
Demonstrated close attention to detail and organizational skills.
Proficient computer skills and demonstrated ability to learn and apply new technologies into existing operations.
Ability to work closely with colleagues from all library departments and with students, faculty, and staff.
Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and tasks.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to effectively supporting a broadly diverse and intentionally inclusive community.

Preferred

Bachelor’s degree.
1-3 years previous experience working in an academic or research library.
At least one year of supervisory experience, demonstrating evidence of interviewing, onboarding, scheduling, and planning the ongoing training of a team of workers.
Experience searching online bibliographic databases.
Experience using Zotero or other bibliographic management software.

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.