Oakland - Samuel Merrit University - Library Technician, Serials and Access Services

http://www.samuelmerritt.edu/jobs/view/1049

Summary:
As a member of the Library team, this position is responsible for managing the acquisition, access, maintenance, preservation and records for serials in all formats and also oversees circulation, course reserves, and stack management services. This position is also responsible for supervising the library’s student workers and may assist in other areas of library operations. Other specific duties include communicating with vendors and publishers with regard to serials issues, maintaining and updating entries in the electronic journal list and link resolver, monitoring and troubleshooting access issues, and soliciting, maintaining and distributing use data for electronic resources. This position will work closely with other team members to ensure a consistent, coordinated and high-quality support experience for students, faculty and staff.

Job Duties and Accountabilities:
Other duties may be assigned. An asterisk (*) denotes an “essential function” for ADA purposes.

30% Print and Electronic Serials
· *Uses professional knowledge of markets, vendors, electronic collections, usage statistics and consortial opportunities to compare the costs and benefits of various configurations of print and electronic collections so as to maximize the benefit to diverse programs
· *Configures, updates and maintains the EZ Proxy server to provide dynamic linkages between authorized remote users and web-based licensed databases
· *Updates library’s journal holdings in the National Library of Medicine’s SERHOLD database
· *Maintains and updates the Serial Solutions E-resource management and OpenURL link resolver systems
· *Manages the process of submitting loose journals for binding and maintains lists of journals currently at the bindery
· *Seeks to fill in gaps in journal holdings by working through the library’s subscription agent and directly with publishers
· Utilizes established medical library electronic resources and contacts in the larger library community to arrange for mutually beneficial journal exchanges
· Receives, evaluates, acknowledges and processes journals received via gift, and stores or disposes of appropriately

25% Supervision
· *Administers library’s Federal work study budget
· *Hires, trains, supervises, coaches, and schedules all library student workers using documented University guidelines.
· *Approves and tracks student work hours and reviews and approves student worker time cards
· *Develops and initiates employee and student worker training initiatives pertaining to areas of responsibility
· *Develops instructional materials for training all who provide services within library’s circulation desk rotation
· Assigns and coordinates special projects that further library initiatives

15% Circulation and Reserves Services
· *Administers day-to-day operations of the library’s circulation and course reserve services
· *Trains student workers and library staff in the use of the circulation and reserve modules of the Koha integrated library system
· *Reviews circulation and in-house use statistics and uses data collected to manage collections and provide timely access to resources
· *Manages the interface between Koha and Powercampus to maintain up-to-date records of library registration holds
· In conjunction with the Library Technology Specialist, resolves problems and recommends improvements to the circulation and reserve modules
· Documents reserves procedures and supports faculty in their use of the reserves system
· *Tracks usage of reserve materials, queries faculty regarding unused reserve items, and uses this data to maximize the space available for reserves within the confines of the circulation desk area

15% Patron Services
· *Uses the library automated systems to charge out library materials, process patron records, determine materials status, locate resources within the system, arrange for transfers of library materials, place holds, register new patrons, and perform additional procedures as needed
· *Provides routine reference and referral services in the absence of a reference librarian
· *Assists patrons in using the library catalog, electronic journals and databases, and equipment
· *Maintains the New Student Library Tour checklist and assists other staff with library orientations

10% Collection Maintenance and Signage
· Manages all aspects of stack maintenance, including the shifting of materials within the main stacks as well as the transfer and retrieval of books and journals to and from off-site storage
· Manages shelf-reading activities in support of improved access
· Designs and creates effective library signage
· Works in concert with Library Director and facilities personnel to recommend changes in space utilization to increase library and staff effectiveness and safety

5% Miscellaneous
· Participates in the library’s planning and decision making processes
· Assists with course reserves and interlibrary loan duties in the absence of designated staff
· Liaisons with photocopy, print station technicians and ITS staff to troubleshoot video, photocopy and computer equipment problems
· Maintains connections with the larger medical and academic library community by actively participating in relevant professional organizations

Supervisory Responsibilities: Library student workers
Skills and Abilities:
• Familiarity with library policies and procedures
• Knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, and techniques
• Skill in supervising the functions and staff of a specialized functional unit of the library
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, manage change, complexity and ambiguity
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with both internal colleagues and external customers of the library
• Skill in applying data and critical thinking to improve library objectives
• Ability to use both the LC and NLM classification systems
• Proficient in the use of Koha’s circulation and reserves modules
• Ability to configure and maintain EZ Proxy server within a library context
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook and internet search engines
• Excellent concentration and attention to details required for extended periods of time
• Ability to interface with faculty, students and the public in a professional manner
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multicultural, multidisciplinary team

Education/Experience:
• BA or BS or equivalent
• Five years previous library experience in a public service position. Previous experience in a health science library desired
• Supervisory experience

Physical Requirements:
• Ability to communicate using the spoken word and to hear verbal communication
• Physical ability to lift and carry 25 pounds, push, climb, bend, kneel, and stoop
• Ability to move about to accomplish tasks in the library
• Hand and finger dexterity for computer work and handling materials
• Ability to concentrate on complex tasks for prolonged periods of time
• Ability to express or exchange ideas with staff and public directly and over the telephone
• Ability to push book cart filled with books through heavy doors and over uneven surfaces