Library Assistant III

 

 

General Description of Position:

The employee in this position orders, receives, invoices, catalogs and provides electronic access for materials received by KSU Libraries in order to make these items readily available to patrons, and works closely with vendors and publishers to ensure correct orders and receipt of materials. Working with in serial agents databases this person is a first line trouble shooter for all access problems.  Aids in creating and maintaining the Libraries' database system which is essential for patron access to the collection

Information about the Department:

Kansas State Agricultural College was established in 1863, which was the beginning of the K-State Libraries. With only 2,700 volumes at the time, the collected materials were moved four times around campus in buildings such as Farm Machinery Hall, Anderson Hall, Fairchild Hall, and Farrell Library.

In 1926, construction began on a building with the purpose of housing only the libraries' collections. That building has been renovated three times, most recently with the dedication of Hale Library (pdf) in 1997. In addition to Hale, there are four branch libraries: Math/Physics LibraryKansas State Polytechnic Library,Veterinary Medical Library, and Paul Weigel Library of Architecture, Planning and Design.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity, and promotes inclusion in every sector of the institution. The university actively seeks candidates whose commitments and contributions will advance the University's commitment to the Principles of Community.

Job Description:

  • Resolves complex invoice and service problems by investigating orders and working with vendors, publishers and library staff.  Processes orders, renewals and cancellations with vendors and publishers and in the Libraries’ database for print and electronic databases and serials titles and title changes in multiple formats.  These tasks are done in order to provide accurate fund expenditure data for library managers and accountants and to produce accurate records for the Libraries’ database.  Performance of these tasks requires significant decision-making, independent judgment, and problem-solving skills by applying in-depth knowledge of library policies and procedures, understanding of vendor and publisher websites, and by using communication skills to ensure that titles are ordered, activated, claimed, canceled or reinstated as needed.  Supervisor reviews work for completeness and accuracy regularly during initial training, but only as problems arise after training is completed. Errors can result in materials being inaccessible to library staff and patrons or major inaccuracies in the database for funds and expenditures
  • Performs copy cataloging of serials (in English and other western European languages) that have a member-library input record in OCLC (an international database) and a Library of Congress call number and subject headings. Performs local editing of these records as needed to ensure that items have accurate bibliographic records in the library’s online catalog so that they may be easily accessed by patrons and staff.   Requires some independent judgment in order to correctly interpret procedures; ability to accurately record detailed information; analytical and problem-solving skills; knowledge of national cataloging codes and standards for holdings information, the OCLC database, and local cataloging and system requirements.  Supervisor reviews work for completeness and accuracy regularly during initial training, but only as problems arise after training is completed. Errors can result in materials being inaccessible to library staff and patrons.
  • Performs advanced level serials receiving and related records enhancement and correction, including utilizing series authorities to maintain consistent usage of access points for series.  Performs these tasks using good judgment and requiring both analytical and problem-solving skills, and by applying in-depth knowledge of national cataloging standards, the OCLC database, and local cataloging policies and procedures.  Supervisor reviews work for completeness and accuracy regularly during initial training, but only as problems arise after training is completed. Errors can result in materials being inaccessible to library staff and patrons.
  • Maintains the integrity of the database for the Libraries’ local catalog by performing error correction and enhancement of bibliographic, holdings and item records for serials in all formats and western European language’s; evaluate and re-catalog materials as needed. These tasks are done to produce accurate records for the catalog, providing access by users and staff. Each task is accomplished by applying knowledge of national cataloging rules, the OCLC database, and local cataloging policies and procedures in order to maintain the integrity of the Libraries’ online system so that materials may be access by library staff and users.
  • Monitors the Jane Hale group account and tickets, sending information to appropriate faculty/staff.  Responds in a timely manner to all requests for help in accessing electronic materials, investigating why access is not working and attempting to regain access when necessary. Requires some independent judgment in order to correctly interpret procedures; ability to accurately analyze detailed information; knowledge of interaction between library catalog, link resolver, hosted databases, knowledge of national cataloging codes, the OCLC database, and local cataloging and system requirements. Supervisor and/or appropriate team leader reviews work for completeness and accuracy regularly during initial training, but only as problems arise after training is completed. Errors can result in materials being inaccessible to library staff and patrons.
  • Additional duties as assigned, including, but not limited to: ( 1) participating in special projects, especially those related to serials such as periodical inventory, migration of print to online projects, or major cancellations either individually or in collaboration with other staff members; (2) training of other staff or students as requested by supervisor; (3) interpreting serial records for library patrons and staff requiring specialized acquisitions knowledge, knowledge of OCLC and library ILS, and/or departmental work flow; (4) receiving periodicals as needed,  (5) claims processing (6) and other duties the supervisor may assign.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Three years of relevant library experience.  Education may be substituted for experience as determined by the relevant agency.

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree.  Prefer minimum two years acquisitions or cataloging experience; ability to work accurately with details; ability to work with foreign languages; experience in an academic library.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In addition to completing the application in PageUp, please submit the following in PageUp:

  •     A letter of application. To greatly strengthen your application, please apply your communication skills to clearly address your experience with the job duties and qualifications listed above.  
  •      A Resume.
  •      Names and contact information, including email addresses, for three professional references.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Screening of applications begins immediately and continues until position is filled.

Salary Range / Pay Rate:

$12.63 - $18.95/hour

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and actively seeks diversity among its employees. Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University may procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee. 

     

Similar jobs

Similar jobs
https://careers.insidehighered.com/job/1409171/library-assistant-iii/
careers.insidehighered.com
crawl=CC-MAIN-2018-09
61397
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:SCM7PR626HL4WSBFHLWBESUMP73QMD3O
<urn:uuid:1f8f8f32-b62d-4764-9d94-c5c4cad8569d>
2018-02-20T16:03:21Z
54.230.19.232
text/html
sha1:NSAP7STDU3QK57EIFPNYFBW4GS6MAMI5
<urn:uuid:95da0264-ff4d-4b2d-87c6-84837361d932>
https://careers.insidehighered.com/job/1409171/library-assistant-iii/
response
<urn:uuid:33776e08-245b-44a3-a2d7-2fa45cee8053>
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-136-53-50.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2018-09
operator: Common Crawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web for February 2018
publisher: Common Crawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf