BiblioTemps® is an employment service of the Massachusetts Library System that provides experienced library workers for temporary placements in public, academic, and special libraries throughout Massachusetts.
Title: Interlibrary Loan Assistant
Location: W.E.B. Du Bois Library, UMass Amherst
Amherst, MA
Start date: March 27, 2023
End date: December 23, 2023
Schedule: 37.5 hours per week
Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm
Pay Rate: $17.50 per hour
CORI: Not Required
Description:
This full-time position (37.5 hours per week) will be responsible for processing incoming and outgoing materials from other libraries for University patrons and from the University Libraries to other libraries; using resource sharing systems, library systems, and a variety of online databases to process routine interlibrary loan requests; sorting daily mail; provide backup for physical Reserves processing; and responding thoroughly and accurately to questions from University patrons and other libraries.
Working hours:
- Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm; this position works on site.
Supervision received:
- This position reports to the Resource Sharing Librarian.
Supervision exercised:
- Oversee routine tasks for interlibrary loan student employees in the absence of the Lending and Borrowing Specialists.
Responsibilities:
- Use resource sharing systems, library systems, and a variety of online databases to process routine requests from other libraries for materials from the University Libraries and from University patrons for materials at other libraries or from the University Libraries. Ensure accurate and timely delivery of material, or prompt response explaining why the material cannot be supplied. Communicate with patrons, liaison librarians, outside departments, and other libraries as needed. Report errors in the Libraries' holdings data or electronic resource linking to the Information Resources Management department.
- Process physical materials, scan articles or book chapters, and process requests for electronic materials for sharing through Interlibrary Loan. Ensure that each item matches its request. Contact patrons and/or other libraries to resolve any incongruities. Update resource sharing systems to accurately reflect status and location of material.
- Prepare outgoing shipments and sort incoming shipments. Distribute loaned and borrowed library materials, articles received in print, and other mail to appropriate unit staff for processing.
- Use a high degree of independent judgment to respond thoroughly and accurately to questions from university patrons, other departments in the Libraries, and outside libraries via phone and email, in person, and through resource sharing systems. Effectively and tactfully communicate departmental policies and procedures, history and status of interlibrary loan requests, and other necessary information, while maintaining patron confidentiality. Provide assistance with interlibrary loan accounts and navigation of services. Consult with colleagues and refer questions to other departments and staff within the Libraries and on campus as appropriate. Refer complex problems to the Borrowing Specialist, Lending Specialist, or Resource Sharing Librarian as needed.
- Oversee routine tasks for interlibrary loan student employees in the absence of the Lending and Borrowing Specialists.
- Provide support for physical processing and scanning for the Reserves unit as workload and shifting priorities require.
Qualifications:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong service orientation, and ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with a diverse population of patrons and colleagues.
- Resourcefulness to adjust and respond effectively to changing needs and priorities in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving environment, including ability to master new technologies, to coordinate with other departments within the Libraries and on campus, and to exercise independent judgement to make decisions in accordance with relevant procedures and policies.
- Ability to understand and contribute to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non- discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that supports diversity.
- Working knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, technology, and equipment used in library work, including familiarity with the Library of Congress classification system, library reference materials, bibliographic search strategies, and library terminology, coding, symbols, and standard abbreviations. Prior experience with library systems, resource sharing systems, and/or databases.
- Ability to assemble data; work accurately with names, numbers, codes, and symbols; verify information between different records; and maintain accurate records.
- Working knowledge of office software, including word processing, spreadsheet, email, PDF editors, and other applications.
- Ability to troubleshoot minor technical problems with office equipment and software, including ability to recognize and articulate details of technical problems in order to report problems to and guide help from appropriate support areas.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
- Working knowledge of library reference materials, methods, vocabulary used in performing library research and bibliographic searches.
- Functional knowledge of common office software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, email, chat, and PDF editors.
- Successful prior experience in a position requiring excellent communication and interpersonal skills and strong service orientation to overcome obstacles and provide creative solutions.
Safety Measures:
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required.
Submit resume via our job board - https://www.bibliotemps.com/jobs
Contact with questions – bibliotemps@masslibsystem.org