Access Services Reserves Processing Assistant
University of Chicago
Summary
Under the supervision of the Access Services and Reference Librarian and following departmental guidelines, performs a broad range of library tasks as part of the D'Angelo Law Library Access Services department, including all processing tasks for D'Angelo course reserves. The Assistant opens the Library, the Circulation Desk and Reserves Collections Room Tuesday-Saturday and participates in a rotating schedule for staffing the Circulation Desk. During interims and Summer Quarter, the schedule for this position will change to Monday-Friday.
Job description
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the Access Services and Reference Librarian and following departmental guidelines, performs a broad range of library tasks as part of the D'Angelo Law Library Access Services department, including all processing tasks for D'Angelo course reserves. The Assistant opens the Library, the Circulation Desk and Reserves Collections Room Tuesday-Saturday and participates in a rotating schedule for staffing the Circulation Desk. During interims and Summer Quarter, the schedule for this position will change to Monday-Friday.
Responsibilities
- Process requests for hard copy and electronic course reserves material for all Law School courses using the integrated library system and other applications.
- Correspond with Law School faculty and staff to collect and maintain an accurate list of material needed for Law School course reserves.
- Retrieve material from the bookstacks to be processed for reserves and/or scanned for electronic course reserve.
- Refer materials that are missing or not held by the Library to acquisitions staff for purchase.
- Monitor and respond to email reports concerning reserves, and communicate with reserves staff at other campus libraries to address potential problems.
- Maintain an up-to-date list of course reserve materials on the library's website and in a binder and iPad at the circulation desk.
- Open the circulation desk and reserve room in the morning and provide exceptional customer service during regular shifts at the circulation desk.
- Maintain the library's exams, faculty memo, and student answers webpage and print archive of exam materials.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Competencies
- Manage interpersonal relationships and interact/communicate with clarity, tact and courtesy with patrons, staff, faculty, students and others.
- Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
- Identify priorities.
- Work effectively with supervisor and as a part of a team.
- Flexibility and adaptability in managing tasks to meet changes in procedures, processes, and technology.
Education, Experience, or Certifications
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Experience: Related library experience or an equivalent combination of position-related experience and education required. Significant related customer service experience within a library, retail, or similar environment required. Experience working with a variety of computer systems and applications preferred.
Technical Knowledge or Skills: Ability to learn and adapt to a variety of new computer systems and applications required. Experience with Library automated systems preferred. Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Ability to sit or stand for long periods; ability to shelve and retrieve book and other library materials; position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and reaching. Ability to move and lift up to 50 lbs. and push loaded book trucks, ability to handle large and oversized volumes; frequent use of a computer. Ability to use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- Related library experience or an equivalent combination of position-related experience and education required
- Significant related customer service experience within a library, retail, or similar environment required
- Ability to learn and adapt to a variety of new computer systems and applications required
- Ability to move and lift up to 50 lbs. and push loaded book trucks
- Ability to use computers extensively for 4 hours or more
- Experience working with a variety of computer systems and applications preferred
- Experience with Library automated systems preferred
- Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite preferred
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Wellness programs
- Disability insurance
- Educational assistance
- Retirement plans
- Paid time off
Company overview
The University of Chicago is a world-renowned private research university founded in 1890 and located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. As a premier academic institution, it operates one of the most comprehensive biomedical research enterprises in the United States through its Biological Sciences Division, which includes over 1,100 faculty members across 10 basic science and 14 clinical departments. The university manages extensive research infrastructure including the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center, multiple specialized research institutes, and maintains affiliations with Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. With research funding exceeding $450 million annually and more than 3,300 patents filed since 1987, the institution is a global leader in scientific discovery and innovation. The Biological Sciences Division alone supports over 500 research-active faculty who secure an average of $588,000 in NIH funding per principal investigator, focusing on areas including cancer biology, immunology, microbiology, molecular metabolism, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology. The university's commitment to interdisciplinary research and its unique position as manager of national laboratories creates unparalleled opportunities for translational research and scientific advancement.