University of Illinois
Senior Library Specialist
International and Area Studies Library / History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Function: As circulation/public service desk supervisor, responsible for overseeing the personnel management and operation of circulation and user assistance functions in HPNL and IASL, including recruiting, hiring, training, directing, and supervising the work of assigned personnel, resolution of employee relations issues and maintenance/approval of records, overseeing complex circulation activities (including resolving and responding to circulation problems), assisting library users by conducting reference interviews, and facilitating access to library equipment and materials; coordinates library emergency procedures relating to HPNL and IASL. Support a dynamic and evolving team environment that seeks to align reference and user services across the two units, participating equally within both units while seeking opportunities to streamline services and improve collaboration to improve patron centers services. Responsible for overseeing preservation activities associated with print newspapers, microforms, and the print circulating collection, including the training of library users and staff in correct handling procedures of large-format materials in both units; liaison to Preservation. Duties and Responsibilities Library Management Manages operations at both the IASL and HPNL circulation/public service desks, including scheduling student employees, and coordinating staff schedules to ensure coverage during periods when student employees are not available. Recruits, hires, cross-trains, supervises, and disciplines undergraduate student assistants to work at both HPNL and IASL. Manages student timesheets and monitors student hourly wage budgets. Coordinates library emergency procedures relating to HPNL and IASL. Meets regularly with Head of IASL and Head of HPNL. Attends IASL and HPNL staff meetings to help coordinate services across units and participate in collective planning and decision making within each unit. Promotes increased collaboration between the two units by aligning workflows and policies, and making recommendations for changes that will prepare the units for potential merger. Preservation and Collection Maintenance Area Works with Library's Collections Care Coordinator and other Preservation staff in updating, and implementing, both units' policies and procedures related to the use and preservation of collections. Trains staff, student employees, and library users on correct procedures for handling special format and fragile materials. Performs initial condition appraisal of building-use only materials that have been requested by library users. Determines whether requested materials are physically stable enough for use. Evaluates books and other print resources for preservation/conservation needs, and performs basic repairs. Monitors the environmental conditions of the microform stacks and recommends changes as needed in order to maintain the physical integrity of the Library's microform collections. Maintains liaison with Preservation supplies coordinator to ensure appropriate expenditure of supplies funds budgeted by Preservation for both units. Performs other activities associated with collection maintenance, as assigned. Public/Information Services Area Conducts basic reference interviews with library users, and explains how to access information resources. Monitors student employees' public services interactions and provides support when needed. Exercises judgement in referring users to subject specialists for in-depth reference or research assistance, based on subject, format, language, script, and region of information need. Trains students to make appropriate referrals. Conducts bibliographic searches for materials to meet user requests and to clarify library holdings using the online catalogs and databases accessible through the Library's web site. Guides library users to access information resources in the format that best balances user needs with the preservation needs of the collection. Explains library policies to users, including complex policies relating to use of fragile and special format materials. Assists library users in using library equipment (including scanners and microfilm readers). Explains technical information such as bit depth, image resolution, file format, file size, and storage options. Works with Digitization Services and Preservation Services to meet user imaging needs that cannot be met with HPNL or IASL equipment. Assists library users in determining availability and location of library materials and collections within the library and in other libraries and agencies, and in accessing information from reference sources including print reference materials and online databases. Uses specialized reference tools (and familiarity with idiosyncratic nature of newspaper publishing, collecting, and digitization) to verify and correct inaccurate or incomplete citations to newspaper and other periodical literature, and to refer users to alternative formats when appropriate. Acts as liaison to interlibrary loan to fill requests for articles from inadequately or incorrectly cataloged microfilm sets, and to fill requests for articles from newspapers. Maintains knowledge of microform collections that have been consolidated in the Stacks Sub-Basement. Works with faculty and academic professional and graduate students of both IASL and HPNL to promote each unit's services, events, and collections. Circulation Area Works regular shifts at both the IASL and HPNL fulfillment points, and monitors student employees' work throughout the workday to ensure that library users receive courteous and prompt service. Ensures that student workers understand and enact the Library's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Supervises all pick slip requests for on-campus holds, mail option, and off-campus library users. Administers, interprets, and implements circulation policies, including fines and lost book billings. Resolves and responds to circulation problems. Runs regular reports to identify circulation-related problems requiring resolution. Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories: Work experience in a library or equivalent setting. College course work in any field as measured by the following conversion table: 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months) Associate's degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months) 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months) Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months) A total of two (2) years (24 months) work experience in a library or equivalent setting performing progressively more responsible work consistent with the next lower level of this series. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The job requires a knowledge base in several areas of library operations, including library and university policies that govern the supervision of student workers. Understanding of microform preservation issues, including physical properties of the common twentieth-century film bases and film emulsions, and of preservation and conservation issues relevant to newspaper and similar large-format serial publications, including physical properties of nineteenth- and twentieth-century newsprint, and techniques used by commercial binderies to bind newspapers for libraries. Willingness to learn about non-Roman-language materials. Knowledge of Alma fulfillment. Knowledge of Alma analytics. Knowledge of policies governing document deliver/interlibrary loan and Digitization Services. Knowledge of resources and techniques associated with specialized reference services. The incumbent must have the ability to apply methods, practices and policies developed for the library setting, and the skill necessary to synthesize, supervise and train others in them. Importance is placed on good verbal and written interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse community of coworkers and users. Competence with and the initiative to learn, computer-based skills used in the performance of the different duties of the job are essential. Knowledge of both digital and print resources is critical to success in this position. Responsibility Supervisory Controls: Priorities are based on observed and expected needs assessed in the context of the Library's mission. Incumbent organizes their own work and that of student workers, based upon immediate needs of the library users and the units. Guidelines: This position operates under guidelines derived from manuals, instruction materials, written regulations, and policy statements issued by the University, the Library Administration, and the unit Heads of HPNL and IASL from time to time as applicable and specific to the performance of the job. Difficulty Complexity: Day
International and Area Studies Library / History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Function: As circulation/public service desk supervisor, responsible for overseeing the personnel management and operation of circulation and user assistance functions in HPNL and IASL, including recruiting, hiring, training, directing, and supervising the work of assigned personnel, resolution of employee relations issues and maintenance/approval of records, overseeing complex circulation activities (including resolving and responding to circulation problems), assisting library users by conducting reference interviews, and facilitating access to library equipment and materials; coordinates library emergency procedures relating to HPNL and IASL. Support a dynamic and evolving team environment that seeks to align reference and user services across the two units, participating equally within both units while seeking opportunities to streamline services and improve collaboration to improve patron centers services. Responsible for overseeing preservation activities associated with print newspapers, microforms, and the print circulating collection, including the training of library users and staff in correct handling procedures of large-format materials in both units; liaison to Preservation. Duties and Responsibilities Library Management Manages operations at both the IASL and HPNL circulation/public service desks, including scheduling student employees, and coordinating staff schedules to ensure coverage during periods when student employees are not available. Recruits, hires, cross-trains, supervises, and disciplines undergraduate student assistants to work at both HPNL and IASL. Manages student timesheets and monitors student hourly wage budgets. Coordinates library emergency procedures relating to HPNL and IASL. Meets regularly with Head of IASL and Head of HPNL. Attends IASL and HPNL staff meetings to help coordinate services across units and participate in collective planning and decision making within each unit. Promotes increased collaboration between the two units by aligning workflows and policies, and making recommendations for changes that will prepare the units for potential merger. Preservation and Collection Maintenance Area Works with Library's Collections Care Coordinator and other Preservation staff in updating, and implementing, both units' policies and procedures related to the use and preservation of collections. Trains staff, student employees, and library users on correct procedures for handling special format and fragile materials. Performs initial condition appraisal of building-use only materials that have been requested by library users. Determines whether requested materials are physically stable enough for use. Evaluates books and other print resources for preservation/conservation needs, and performs basic repairs. Monitors the environmental conditions of the microform stacks and recommends changes as needed in order to maintain the physical integrity of the Library's microform collections. Maintains liaison with Preservation supplies coordinator to ensure appropriate expenditure of supplies funds budgeted by Preservation for both units. Performs other activities associated with collection maintenance, as assigned. Public/Information Services Area Conducts basic reference interviews with library users, and explains how to access information resources. Monitors student employees' public services interactions and provides support when needed. Exercises judgement in referring users to subject specialists for in-depth reference or research assistance, based on subject, format, language, script, and region of information need. Trains students to make appropriate referrals. Conducts bibliographic searches for materials to meet user requests and to clarify library holdings using the online catalogs and databases accessible through the Library's web site. Guides library users to access information resources in the format that best balances user needs with the preservation needs of the collection. Explains library policies to users, including complex policies relating to use of fragile and special format materials. Assists library users in using library equipment (including scanners and microfilm readers). Explains technical information such as bit depth, image resolution, file format, file size, and storage options. Works with Digitization Services and Preservation Services to meet user imaging needs that cannot be met with HPNL or IASL equipment. Assists library users in determining availability and location of library materials and collections within the library and in other libraries and agencies, and in accessing information from reference sources including print reference materials and online databases. Uses specialized reference tools (and familiarity with idiosyncratic nature of newspaper publishing, collecting, and digitization) to verify and correct inaccurate or incomplete citations to newspaper and other periodical literature, and to refer users to alternative formats when appropriate. Acts as liaison to interlibrary loan to fill requests for articles from inadequately or incorrectly cataloged microfilm sets, and to fill requests for articles from newspapers. Maintains knowledge of microform collections that have been consolidated in the Stacks Sub-Basement. Works with faculty and academic professional and graduate students of both IASL and HPNL to promote each unit's services, events, and collections. Circulation Area Works regular shifts at both the IASL and HPNL fulfillment points, and monitors student employees' work throughout the workday to ensure that library users receive courteous and prompt service. Ensures that student workers understand and enact the Library's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Supervises all pick slip requests for on-campus holds, mail option, and off-campus library users. Administers, interprets, and implements circulation policies, including fines and lost book billings. Resolves and responds to circulation problems. Runs regular reports to identify circulation-related problems requiring resolution. Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories: Work experience in a library or equivalent setting. College course work in any field as measured by the following conversion table: 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months) Associate's degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months) 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months) Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months) A total of two (2) years (24 months) work experience in a library or equivalent setting performing progressively more responsible work consistent with the next lower level of this series. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The job requires a knowledge base in several areas of library operations, including library and university policies that govern the supervision of student workers. Understanding of microform preservation issues, including physical properties of the common twentieth-century film bases and film emulsions, and of preservation and conservation issues relevant to newspaper and similar large-format serial publications, including physical properties of nineteenth- and twentieth-century newsprint, and techniques used by commercial binderies to bind newspapers for libraries. Willingness to learn about non-Roman-language materials. Knowledge of Alma fulfillment. Knowledge of Alma analytics. Knowledge of policies governing document deliver/interlibrary loan and Digitization Services. Knowledge of resources and techniques associated with specialized reference services. The incumbent must have the ability to apply methods, practices and policies developed for the library setting, and the skill necessary to synthesize, supervise and train others in them. Importance is placed on good verbal and written interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse community of coworkers and users. Competence with and the initiative to learn, computer-based skills used in the performance of the different duties of the job are essential. Knowledge of both digital and print resources is critical to success in this position. Responsibility Supervisory Controls: Priorities are based on observed and expected needs assessed in the context of the Library's mission. Incumbent organizes their own work and that of student workers, based upon immediate needs of the library users and the units. Guidelines: This position operates under guidelines derived from manuals, instruction materials, written regulations, and policy statements issued by the University, the Library Administration, and the unit Heads of HPNL and IASL from time to time as applicable and specific to the performance of the job. Difficulty Complexity: Day