Library Technician

JOB TITLE: Library Technician

DEPARTMENT:  University Libraries

REPORTS TO:  Circulation Supervisor

Summary:

The Library Technician provides a wide range of services, primarily focused on library patrons’ experience, but also assisting with tasks across all library operations. They staff the circulation desk, maintain the physical stacks, and guide and train work study students. They may also assist with services such as: course reserves; interlibrary loan; acquisitions processing; digitization; and the Libraries’ social media presence; amongst other activities, depending on the Libraries’ needs. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Public Service
    • Circulates materials to patrons at the UArts Libraries circulation desk.
    • Answers directional, light reference, and informational questions, and refers reference and other queries to librarians as appropriate.
    • Assists patrons with photocopying and printing, provides routine maintenance/cleaning of photocopy machines, and reports malfunctions.
    • Assists patrons in the use of computer catalogs and indexes, and audio-visual equipment and collections; provides appropriate routine emergency and preventive maintenance, and reports malfunctions of equipment.
    • Creates library displays, contributes to “Staff Recommendations”, designs library outreach materials (often collaborating with other staff), participates in library open house events, and contributes to social media outreach through library accounts.
    • Performs all public service tasks in a friendly and efficient manner; contributes to a welcoming atmosphere for library patrons.
    • Contributes to organization and creation of processes to enhance library services.
    • Designs and implements organizational projects as needed.
    • Maintains effective methods of communication with faculty and students, circulation staff, and other library staff.
    • Assists in training, supervising, and evaluating student assistants in shelving, stacks maintenance, and related projects, and maintains appropriate records on student work.
    • Instructs library staff in circulation procedures, as needed.
    • Contributes to maintenance of procedures manuals.
  • Collection Maintenance
    • Coordinates and participates in stack maintenance activities including shelving and shelf reading of all library materials, and assists in training and supervising student assistants in these areas.
    • Processes claims-returned/not-on-shelf searches, following automated and manual procedures, and records related statistics.
    • Maintains new periodicals and new books shelf areas.
  • Library Services
    • Organizes course reserve materials for use and communicates with faculty concerning procedures, deadlines, problems, etc.
    • Assists Reference Librarian with interlibrary loan processes.
    • Supports the library’s Technical Services department in such processes as book repair and pamphlet binding, preparing library materials for bindery, import MARC records from OCLC, and other duties as needed.
    • Maintains serial check-in and claiming.
    • Processes donations following library procedures.
  • Financial and Management
    • Collects fines, membership dues, and conducts other appropriate financial transactions at the circulation desk.
    • Prepares deposits, and ensures appropriate cash handling and security procedures.
    • Contributes to maintenance of departmental supplies, and timely preparation of supply orders.
    • Assists in circulation desk contingency scheduling for staff absences.
    • Attends Library Staff, Circulation Working Group, and various other meetings of standing and ad hoc library groups.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; they do not purport to describe all functions.  Incumbent may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may change from time to time as necessary.

Education:

  • Significant college coursework, with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred. Some educational experience in the arts is preferred.

Experience:

  • At least one year of library experience or the equivalent experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

  • Experience with standard computer software (databases, word processing, spreadsheets) required; experience with scanning and digital documents (PDFs, Adobe Suite) and Google Drive highly desirable.
  • Ability to lead and motivate student assistants in provision of effective and appropriate circulation services.
  • Ability to organize and schedule work, set priorities, meet deadlines, follow up independently on assignments, deal with fluctuating workloads, and work in a neat and precise manner.
  • Thorough grounding in library procedures and policies relevant to the prescribed areas of responsibilities.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, supervisors, staff and library users.
  • Ability to ensure a friendly, responsive, and productive work and public service environment.
  • Communicate facts and ideas orally and in writing.

Supervisory Responsibility:

  • Circulation assistants (library work study positions)

About The University:

The mission of the University of the Arts is to advance human creativity. With a history stretching back to 1876, UArts believes creativity is the most essential skill for success in today’s society, and has educated generations of innovative artists, performers, designers, and creative leaders for nearly 150 years. After being granted university status in 1987, University of the Arts became the largest institution of its kind in the nation, offering programs in design, fine arts, media arts, crafts, music, dance, theater, and writing. It now features 28 undergraduate arts majors, 12 graduate programs, and the nation’s first PhD program in Creativity. UArts is also home to innovative centers across disciplines, including the Philadelphia Art Alliance, Rosenwald-Wolf Gallery, and the Center for Immersive Media. Learn more about UArts.

TO APPLY: Interested, qualified applicants should submit letters of application and resumes to the Human Resources Department via email to jobs@uarts.edu. Please ensure job title is in the Subject line.
 

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, The University of the Arts publishes its Annual Safety Report at the following link for your reference:

http://www.uarts.edu/about/campus-crime-fire-reports

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Title IX Statement: The University of the Arts prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in its programs and activities, including admission and employment, in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The Director for Title IX, Equity, & Compliance is responsible for overseeing compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws and regulations. To contact the Director for Title IX, Equity, & Compliance, e-mail titleix@uarts.edu, visit The University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, or call 215-717-6362. To learn more about the University's Title IX policy and response to sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, please visit www.uarts.edu/titleix. Inquiries may also be directed to the Federal agency responsible for enforcing Title IX, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

 

 

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