Library Assistant I Job at New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark

Title:
Library Assistant I

Department:
Van Houten Library

Reports To:
Director of Library Operations

Position Type:
Staff

Position Summary:
The NJIT Library seeks a service-oriented Library Assistant I to work in the Robert W. Van Houten Library. The position works the closing schedule, provides customer service and administrative duties supporting the library operations, and performs data collection and other duties as assigned. The incumbent must perform assigned duties independently and reliably with minimum supervision. The successful candidate will have strong analytical skills and be detail-oriented.

The incumbent will work an on-site closing schedule, which may vary depending on the academic calendar and library needs, including working overtime as needed. A typical work schedule for fall and spring semesters is Monday to Thursday from 4:00 pm to midnight and Friday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A typical summer semester schedule is Tuesday to Thursday, 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Essential Functions:
Customer Service (50%):
- Closes and secures the Van Houten Library during the closing shift.
- Provides friendly and helpful customer service to students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
- Handles customer service duties at the Information Service Desk: checks materials in and out, registers new patrons, handles fees for lost materials, responds to email messages, processes group study room reservations, and assists in locating materials in the collection.
- Assists patrons with basic paraprofessional reference questions and directs them to appropriate resources.
- Shelves physical materials and maintains the library stacks in an orderly fashion.
- Ensures that library policies and procedures are followed and assists in upholding library guidelines and regulations.
- Assists patrons using computers, printers, and equipment in the library computer lab.
- Helps organize library events, programs, and workshops, including setting up and cleaning up afterward.
- Provides work direction to student employees.
- Stays informed about library services, resources, and developments and participates in training opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.

Functional Service (50%): Performs duties in one of the following functional services as assigned.
- Acquisitions and Processing: acquires, pays for, and processes physical books, periodicals, and media items. Serves as the first line of contact with various vendors to resolve related issues. Checks in, shelves, claims, and maintains periodicals, journals, magazines, and newspapers. Receives work direction from the business manager to process invoice payments. Liaises with the finance departments and external vendors to address invoicing and payment issues.
- Data Collection: collects, gathers, stores, and distributes usage statistics from vendors, Alma and Primo, ILLiad, Springshare, related systems, and other internal and external reporting applications. Verifies collected data from various sources to ensure accuracy. Collaborates with the librarians and managers to develop quality control of collected data.
- Resource Management: oversees shelving of library materials, shifting, shelf-reading, and directs student employees to perform stacks maintenance activities. Performs access service activities related to processing holds and lost items, billings, and notices. Performs activities related to course reserves.Performs copy cataloging and processing of physical books, periodicals, and related materials. Scans, stores, and manipulates digital content such as images, maps, manuscripts, theses and dissertations, documents, archives, special collections, etc.
- Resource Sharing: performs resource sharing activities related to interlibrary loan borrowing, lending, and document delivery. Directs student employees to perform resource sharing activities.

Additional Functions:
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Prerequisite Qualifications:
- Associate degree or at least 60 credits earned toward a bachelor's degree.
- Three (3) years of experience in customer service and one (1) year of library experience in circulation/access services.
- Ability to communicate courteously and effectively with library patrons and staff.
- Evidence of reliability, attendance, and punctuality to work the closing shift with minimal supervision.
- Demonstrated proficiency in computer technology, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment.
- Must be able to bend, push, and lift to 30 pounds, including emptying book bins, pushing a book truck, and shelving books of various sizes.
- At the university's discretion, the education and experience prerequisites may be exempted where the candidate can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the university, an equivalent combination of education and experience specifically preparing the candidate for success in the position.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree.
- Prior work experience in an academic library.
- Excellence in organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to assist in resolving personal conflicts and issues.
- Experience using a library management system (Ex Libris Alma and Primo Discovery preferred).

Bargaining Unit:
OPEIU

Range/Band:
16

FLSA:
Non-Exempt
Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:
- Cover letter addressing qualifications for the position
- CV/Resume