POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under occasional supervision, the Library Assistant 4 operates as a library specialist within the Knowledge and Creativity Commons. Work is subject to review within guidelines. Advanced knowledge of functional area policies and procedures is expected at this level with the ability to take responsibility for the unit in the absence of more senior staff. The library assistant manages workflows and oversees technical processing for resource sharing services; hires, schedules, and trains staff and temporary employees; and may supervise students.

This role requires availability during evenings and weekends, specifically from Sunday to Thursday, 3:30 pm to 12:00 am. Must be flexible to adjust the work schedule to accommodate changes in operational hours, including over university breaks, summers, and holidays and to fulfill staffing requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Knowledge and Creativity Commons: Provide first-contact customer service at all physical and online service points within the commons to include training and maintenance of equipment, knowledge of collections and access within the physical stacks and the online catalog, general reference assistance, knowledge of the Freedman Center equipment and digital services, oversight of spaces, referrals, and directional assistance. Oversee major circulation activities, including staffing supervision, first line customer service support, problem resolution, payment management, stacks access and facility and safety issues. Respond to a variety of overnight issues and confirm resolution or effective referral within and beyond the team, as needed. Responsible for a library unit in the absence of more senior level staff. (30%)
2. Evenings/Weekends: During evening and weekends oversee all level one service center activities to include staff supervision and scheduling, first-contact customer service support, problem resolution, payment management, and all facility and safety issues. Launch resource sharing duties. Respond to a variety of overnight issues and confirm resolution or effective referral. The library assistant is responsible for the area in the absence of more senior level staff. (25%)
3. Operations and Stacks Management: Oversee the maintenance of the library stacks systems, ensure user access to the stacks, respond to, and troubleshoot mechanical issues, communicate with technicians, report repairs, and verify problem resolution. Collaborate to assess collection space requirements, determine shelving adjustments, and oversee any required shifting of collection. Lead and direct projects for stacks maintenance (e.g., shelf-reading and shelf-shifting) as necessary to improve use of the collection for users. Implement related staff training (10%)
4. Special Projects Collaborator: In consultation with the supervisor of this position, opportunities to engage in short-term project collaborations may arise from other Kelvin Smith Library teams, such as Research and Engagement Services and University Archives & Special Collections teams. (10%)
5. Staff Training: Coordinate and implement a variety of ongoing staff training activities. (6%)
6. Student Employees: Oversee the work of student employees for area; provide training; assign work; monitor and deliver feedback about work performance to the supervisor, (6%)
7. Professional development and engagement, including service on committees and working groups and attending learning sessions, maintaining awareness of current trends and developments in the field (6%)
8. Contributes to and maintains a work culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and belonging. Recommend, implement, evaluate, and ensure adherence to customer services operating policies and procedures, adjust, as needed, to ensure effective and efficient operations; maintain written record of same (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCITONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with library staff in all Kelvin Smith library teams to maintain workflow.

University: Frequent contact with faculty and staff and/or staff of other campus libraries primarily in reference to cataloging queries and other customer services.

External: Frequent contact with vendors in resolving departmental specific issues.

Students: Frequent and direct contact both with student staff and student patrons to address concerns/ problems and/or use and interpret established procedures.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Will monitor the performance of student employees and assist with the direct training of students.

QUALIFICAITONS

Education/Experience: High school education with 4 years of relevant experience; OR Associate's

degree and 1 year of relevant experience

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Ability to learn in detail a wide variety of constantly evolving policies concerning information resources at Case Western Reserve University libraries.
2. Technical skills. Familiarity with interlibrary loan services, ILLiad, automated library systems and management software, library bibliographic systems and library catalogs, computers (Windows or Mac, including basic software applications such as Word), and, email, internet navigation/search skills.
3. Ability to handle details and multiple projects in an organized manner.
4. Ability to create process training and write policy documentation.
5. Ability to supervise students and assume responsibility.
6. Ability to exercise good judgment in situations that warrant individual interpretation of policies and procedures and to convey policies or technical concepts.
7. Ability to prioritize and assign priority tasks, and delegate portions as needed.
8. Ability to effectively collaborate with other staff members, supervisors, and customers to achieve optimum service levels.
9. Ability to be proactive and creative in promoting change and development.
10. Ability to work independently balanced with an ability to take direction from others.
11. Supervisory or customer service experience.
12. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
13. Ability to work in and contribute to an environment of inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging using strong interpersonal skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical office/library environment. The employee will perform repetitive motion using a computer mouse and keyboard to type. The employee will need to bend, stoop, reach, and lift library materials. Nights and weekends are required including Sunday through Thursday. Must be flexible to adjust the work schedule to accommodate changes in operational hours, including over university breaks, summers, and holidays and to meet staffing needs.

In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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