Generic Job Descriptions

Library Services

Knowledge and experience parameters are listed for each position. However, certain positions may require additional specific education, certification or licensure, knowledge, ability, or expertise in a specialty area.

Library Associate II – Grade 3

Position Summary
Performs day-to-day operations for a branch library, collection services, or bibliographic processing function. Completes basic acquisition and circulation activities that provide university students, faculty, staff, and the general public access to and use of library information resources in a variety of formats. Receives and prepares materials for local distribution. Reviews, refers, and resolves standard holdings record discrepancies and updates basic bibliographic and other record entries. Places items on reserve. Processes intra/inter-library loan requests. Assists patrons in locating materials and provides policy, general operating information, and other assistance. Processes patrons’ borrowing and returns, and collects delinquent fines. Keeps local documentation current and communicates process changes to student staff. Participates in library functional working groups. May hire, train, schedule, and process payroll for student employees; track, process, and coordinate multiple location subscription cancellations; identify damaged material and coordinate preservation and bindery activities; or carry out retrospective conversion. Completes work under direct supervision, with specific instructions on routine or semi-routine work, and/or within established work parameters for the unit. Makes decisions or choices following standard practices and procedures. Work is usually reviewed upon completion. Performs professional work requiring general knowledge and the basic application and use of concepts, theories, and terminology of library science and operations.

Outcomes

• Accurate receipt and addition of books, periodicals, serials, government documents, audio/visual/multimedia, and other type materials
• Catalog records that are accurately changed, corrected, and enhanced
• Accurate completion of library bibliographic databases
• Costs and delivery schedules that are monitored; identification of cost controls; resolution of issues
• Information and services for patrons and colleagues
• Collection of fines
• Actions to preserve material
• Reports and data that are processed, compiled, and maintained
• Safeguarded unit assets
• Compliance with operational policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience
Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates general knowledge and understanding of basic library science/library operations including Library of Congress Classification System, national cataloging rules, standard bibliographic utilities and formats, the Federal Depository Program guidelines, basic machine-readable formats, online catalog and utility procedures, and other library and online information systems. Also requires good communication skills and computer literacy.

Library Associate I– Grade 4

Position Summary
Performs original, complex, and copy cataloging of monographs, serials, government documents, video/audio recordings, cartographic materials, and other non-standard information resources, in all formats. Consults librarian selectors regarding acquisitions and cataloging. May provide cataloging in foreign languages. Coordinates recurring orders for print and digital scholarly works, non-print media, and package plans. Develops relationships with vendors, monitors performance, and resolves issues. Contributes original cataloging to national and international bibliographic databases. May identify/manage storage and storage facility needs, or collaborate with university libraries to facilitate archive, database management, and preservation projects. Completes work under general supervision, within established work parameters. Carries out routine and non-routine tasks with occasional review of work outputs by supervisor. Performs professional work that requires knowledge of library science principles and practices; and a good understanding, use, and application of the concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology and applied bases of library science and operations.

Outcomes

• Creation of original catalog records for materials
• Accurate receipt/addition/removal of monographs, serials, government documents, video/audio recordings, cartographic materials, recurring orders, and other nonstandard materials in library collections
• Research and identification of vendors and other acquisition sources
• Selection of vendors and placement of orders for special format materials
• Solutions to complex cataloging problems; completion of changes, corrections, and enhancements to catalog records
• Accurate completion of library bibliographic databases
• Costs and delivery schedules that are monitored; quality control processes for non-receipt claims; identification of cost controls; resolution of issues
• Evaluations of, and actions taken to store and preserve material
• Provision of Information and services to patrons and colleagues
• Reports and data that are processed, compiled, and maintained
• Safeguarded unit assets
• Compliance with operational policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience
Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge, understanding, and competency using Anglo-American Cataloging Rules; Library of Congress Classification and Subject Headings; general metadata standards; bibliographic and cataloging systems; formats, rules and guidelines; government, national, and international bibliographic databases and software; Federal Depository Program guidelines; standard machine-readable formats; online catalog and utility procedures; and other library and online information systems. Also requires a minimum of two years experience cataloging library material in all formats, processing international book and serials recurring orders, and/or conducting preservation activities, good communication skills, and computer literacy.

Library Supervisor II– Grade 4

Position Summary
Provides direct, daily, shift supervision of services and activities within the access/collection services area of a branch library. Hires, trains, evaluates, and supervises staff and student employees in the delivery of library services to patrons or the completion of library technical operations. Schedules staff at library services points or workstations, and assigns and coordinates work. Supervises employee shifts in rotation; resolves escalated routine and non-routine patron issues or requests; and ensures the security, functionality, and availability of buildings, equipment, and library collections. Prepares and processes payroll; monitors budget; and provides reports and statistics for area of responsibility. Participates in and may lead one or more functional groups, implements initiatives, and completes projects. Completes work under general supervision, within established work parameters. Carries out routine and non-routine tasks with occasional review of work outputs by supervisor. Performs professional work that requires knowledge of library science principles and practices; and a good understanding, use, and application of the concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology and applied bases of library operations including circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and collection management.

Outcomes

• Development, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of employees
• Completion of payroll; costs that are monitored; control of the budget
• Provision of information and services to patrons and colleagues; resolution of problems
• Accurate completion of library bibliographic databases
• Safeguarded unit assets; security, functionality, and availability of building, equipment, and library collection
• Collection of payments for lost materials; accurate placement/removal of academic holds; update of patron records
• Reports and data that are properly processed, compiled, and maintained
• Compliance with operational policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience
Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge, understanding, and competency in library science/library operations including circulation, classification, cataloging, and bibliographic systems, formats, rules, guidelines, and standards; plus a minimum of two years experience performing supervisory and one or more library activities. Also requires good communication skills and computer literacy.

Library Supervisor I– Grade 5

Position Summary
Manages a particular library, acquisitions, or collections management unit; that includes delivery of circulation, inter/intra-library loan, and other library services to patrons; or the completion of library technical operations. Hires, trains, and supervises administrative, professional, paraprofessional, and supervisory staff. Schedules staff and delegates work. Analyzes workflows and procedures, and develops and revises procedure manuals. Writes job descriptions and evaluates performance. Oversees payroll preparation. Serves on and may lead management teams that recommend policy, plan the direction of the library or service unit, and implement projects. Resolves operational and patron issues and handles crises. Ensures the security, functionality, and availability of buildings, equipment, and library collections. Manages budget; provides expenditure reports. Provides statistical analysis of data; and annual, midyear, and project reports for area of responsibility. Completes work under general supervision, within established work parameters. Carries out routine and non-routine tasks with occasional review of work outputs by supervisor. Performs professional work that requires knowledge of library science principles and practices; and a good understanding, use, and application of the concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology, and applied bases of original cataloging and library operations including circulation, cataloging, acquisitions, and collection management.

Outcomes

• Competent management of unit operations
• Unit that is staffed;
• Development, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of employees
• Completion of payroll; analyses of costs; control of budget; preparation and submission of reports and data
• Provision of information and services to patrons and colleagues
• Audit/ accurate completion of library bibliographic databases
• Safeguarded unit assets; security, functionality, and availability of buildings, equipment, and library collections
• Accurate performance of activities related to original cataloging
• Resolution of recurring order, acquisitions, cataloging, collections, preservation, and/or circulation problems
• Development, implementation, and compliance with operational policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience
Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge, understanding, and competency in library science/library operations including circulation, classification, original and copy cataloging and bibliographic systems, formats, rules, guidelines, and standards; plus a minimum of two years experience performing supervisory and one or more library activities. Also requires good communication skills and computer literacy.

Assistant Head Access/Collections/Acquisition Services – Grade 6

Position Summary
Manages the operations of a major department or service, and plans and implements programs across all units on a multiple library campus. Consults and collaborates with the department head/faculty librarian on policy matters. Assesses current practices, evaluates and implements best practices to improve operations, and adopts innovations to raise the quality level of service. Provides operational leadership, and develops policies and work standards. Leads and facilitates major functional teams. Hires, trains, and manages supervisors and other staff. Works with department supervisors and group leaders to ensure that objectives and outcomes are met. Allocates and monitors budget for all units. Represents the department to appropriate councils and other groups system-wide. Ensures patron service, and the security, functionality and availability of buildings, equipment, and library collections. May collaborate with other university units, serve on local or national professional organizations, present at conferences or workshops, or conduct research. Completes work independently, with broadly defined work objectives and limited review of overall results. Performs professional work that requires specialized to general knowledge of library science principles and practices; and a solid understanding, use, and application of the concepts, theories, principles, practices, terminology and applied bases of library science such as copy, complex, and original descriptive cataloging; standard, recurring, serial, and complex acquisitions; collection management; circulation; and other library operations.

Outcomes

• Improvement of overall operations
• Development and implementation of best practices, processes, programs, and supporting technologies.
• Unit that is staffed; supervised, trained, coached, and evaluated employees
• Development, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of employees
• Allocation, review, and control of budgets; analyses of costs;
• Provision of information and services to patrons and colleagues
• Audit/ accurate completion of department processes
• Safeguarded unit assets; security, functionality, and availability of buildings, equipment, and library collections
• Internal and external relationships that are fostered; leadership and facilitation of major functional teams; representation of department at professional conferences
• Resolution of priority, recurring order, acquisitions, cataloging, collections, preservation and/or circulation problems
• Development, implementation, and compliance with operational policies and procedures

Knowledge and Experience
Requires a bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge, understanding, and competency in library science/library operations to include circulation; classification; original and copy cataloging; bibliographic systems, formats, rules, guidelines and standards; government and international book and serials publishing; plus a minimum of five years experience performing supervisory and one or more library activities and a comprehensive understanding of the academic research library environment. Also requires excellent organizational, analytical, communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills; and computer literacy.

Note: Local copy of Academic Support/Student Service Generic Job Summaries