Senior Library Assistant, Access Services

Senior Library Assistant, Access Services

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status.

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

The George Washington University (GW) Libraries and Academic Innovation (LAI) is searching for a Senior Library Assistant. GW LAI is a catalyst, a spark to generate new ideas and new possibilities. Responsive to the changing landscape of information and education, being sensitive both to traditional and emergent modes of communication, we bring together diverse constituents of faculty, students, and staff in a highly collaborative, dynamic, and deeply engaged intellectual community to support research, teaching and learning. As part of the larger George Washington University, we are a nexus where exciting things happen, where change happens, where growth happens.

The Melvin Gelman Library operates 24/7 during the regular academic year. Access Services staff must be available to work a combination of daytime, evening, night, and weekend shifts.

Access Services manages four major functions of the Gelman Library:

1. Resource Sharing processes course reserves, consortium and interlibrary loan items, and makes print and electronic materials accessible to patrons.
2. Entrance Services is the first point of contact for all patrons and visitors to the Gelman Library. They manage visitor sign-ins, the building’s Lost and Found, and most keyed access to the building.
3. Circulation Services maintains a high level of customer service, checks in and out circulating materials, and collects and assesses fines on customer accounts.
4. Shelving responsibilities are shared among all staff. It is fielded through the Check Out desk where carts are prepared with materials to be re-shelved in the stacks areas.

Under supervision, this library support position performs a variety of routine clerical, technical, or public service duties to deliver quality customer service to library patrons and other library departments. This position provides faculty support including cataloguing and processing of textbooks and electronic syllabi, catalogues records, performs circulation activities and transactions, assists with basic searches, and performs filing. This position responds to and resolves common inquiries and routine problems, performs shelving responsibilities, and supports the interlibrary loan process. This position may assist in providing training to student employees and performs routine record maintenance activities.

Reporting to the Library Supervisor, Access Services, the Senior Library Assistant works within the division’s Access Services team and is responsible for:

• Delivering high level of customer service to library patrons in a fast-paced physical environment.
• Working in a team to perform daily Access Services duties: providing access to the building; verifying visitor eligibility; providing policy and procedural information to patrons; checking in and out materials; creating and correcting library accounts; basic cataloguing of circulating incidentals; shelving of returned materials and reserve items; and providing basic reference to patrons.
• Interpreting library policies and procedures and assisting users in facilitating access to the building, collections, and services.
• Showing initiative while performing daily activities. Communicating effectively with the team to ensure that group goals are met.
• Working to resolve customer inquiries and problems by exercising discretion and judgment in selecting the best solution, based upon policies and customer circumstances. Consulting with management, as needed.
• Assisting in training and monitoring student employees on the use of automated systems, such as Alma and myALADIN, and other departmental duties.
• Participating in shelving activities which include sorting, shifting, and shelving the collection according to the Library of Congress call number system.
• Providing feedback and assisting with developing user guides, patron handouts, training materials, using word processing and other software.

The incumbent may perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a high school diploma/GED plus 1.5 years of relevant professional experience, or a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to push and pull heavy book trucks and book tubs (weighing 50-100 pounds).
• Ability to frequently stoop and bend to retrieve items from shelves.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of customer service experience is preferred (preferably in a library setting).
• Public or Academic Library experience desired.
• Willingness, availability, and flexibility to work a combination of daytime, evening, night, weekend, and overnight hours desired.
• Ability to work independently and diplomatically with patrons and library staff.
• Ability to give attention to detail.
• Ability to provide routine information about existing policy and procedure, by phone, written correspondence, e-mail, and in person.
• Ability to actively listen and respond to routine inquiries, requests, and patron concerns.
• Ability to correctly refer patrons to other service points and management as needed.
• Ability to prioritize and individually handle simultaneous events and situations that occur during peak periods within a shift.
• Ability to communicate verbal instructions to library assistants.
• Ability to recognize the basic elements in a bibliographic citation is desired.
• Knowledge of Library of Congress Call number classification, or ability to learn preferred.
• Working knowledge of word processing programs, electronic filing, and ability to learn a variety of systems and software including BANNER, ALMA, and Illiad is desired.

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being, and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit GW Benefits Programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: University Libraries

Family: Libraries

Sub-Family: Library Services - Staff

Stream: Service and Support

Level: Level 2

Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time

Hours Per Week: 20

Work Schedule: Fridays 7pm-11pm, Saturdays 2pm-11pm, and Sundays 2pm-11pm with modifications during holidays and school breaks.

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Telework: No

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search.

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status.

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number: S013409

Job Open Date: 01/14/2025

Job Close Date: If temporary, grant funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you currently employed at George Washington University?
  • Yes
  • No
• * For current GW employees, have you completed your Introductory Employment Period (IEP)?
  • Yes, IEP complete
  • No, still in IEP
  • N/a - not a current GW employee
• * What is your salary range expectation?

  (Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Human Resource Management & Development

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