Library Assistant for Access and Collection Services Job at Vanderbilt Universit

Position Summary

The Library Assistant for Access and Collection supports the law library’s access and collection services functions, including document delivery, interlibrary loan, bibliographic records maintenance, physical collection maintenance, and collecting departmental data. This position collaborates with colleagues in other Vanderbilt libraries and the Law School on access and collection services and initiatives. The library assistant for public services position operates a Monday – Friday schedule starting at 7:30 a.m., with possible changes as needed during semester breaks or other staff vacations. The position reports to the Head of Access and Collection Services.

About the Work Unit

The Alyne Queener Massey Law Library offers a broad range of expertise, resources and services that enable the Law School to carry out its program of legal education, and support scholarship and research. The Access and Collection Services Department within the Alyne Queener Massey Law Library is responsible for the library’s document delivery service, interlibrary loan, circulation, stacks maintenance, manages record-keeping, discovery, processing, and distribution of all physical and electronic resources for the law library using the ExLibris Alma integrated library system. Functions include: assisting the library service desk, fulfillment, interlibrary loan, document delivery, collection maintenance, cataloging, serials and supplementation management. All duties are carried out as part of a collaborative team, where mutual support and shared responsibilities are key to our success.

Key Functions and Expected Performance

• Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery
  • Coordinating the delivery of interlibrary loan materials loaned to other libraries outside of Vanderbilt;
  • Preparing items for shipment;
  • Downloading/scanning articles for electronic delivery;
  • Processing returns of requested items;
  • Monitoring overdue notices;
  • Coordinating with liaison librarians to fulfill document delivery requests;
  • Retrieving materials from other campus libraries as needed;
• Library Spaces
  • Providing support of law library’s service desk;
  • Searching for missing books and assisting with stacks maintenance;
• Fulfillment
  • Updating and managing user records;
  • Updating and managing circulating material rules;
  • Ensuring that the University Libraries’ circulation policies are accurately reflected in the library’s integrated library system for law library’s materials and users.
• Cataloging and Receiving
  • Removing and updating holdings for all titles being added or withdrawn;
  • Receiving and processing journals, periodicals, loose-leaf supplements, advance sheets, revised volumes, and other supplementation materials, as needed;
  • Distributing materials to professors and other interested parties as requested;
  • Creating and editing serial predication patterns;
  • Communicating with vendors and publishers regarding missing issues or supplementation problems.
  • Drafting policies and procedures;
• Library Reserves
  • Determining items to purchase for reserve collection;
  • Updating and maintaining reserve circulation policies;
  • Working with Head of Access and Collection Services to ensure that reserve material records and policies are accurately reflected in the catalog.
• Miscellaneous
  • Triage reference questions to law liaison librarians;
  • Recording meaningful reference interactions into library’s assessment collection system;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships: None

Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs.

Education and Certifications

Minimum education preferred: B.A. or B.S. Degree

Experience and Skills

• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work well with others and to communicate effectively
• Proficiency with library catalog, library circulation systems, and ILLiad preferred
• Strong analytic and problem-solving skills helpful
• Requires lifting and carrying volumes and packages, walking to other campus libraries and pushing carts loaded with books

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit

Internal: Frequent contact with co-workers, various departments, staff, and faculty members to provide information and assistance

External: Frequent contact with external organizations to coordinate access for interlibrary loan, and to provide information and assistance

Student/Faculty/Patron: Regular contact with students, faculty, and library patrons to provide information and assistance