Job Title: Library Specialist III - Pew Campus Operations and Service Point
Classification: C3
Department: University Libraries
Updated: January 2019

Job Summary

Responsible for the creating, maintaining and updating the Steelcase Libraries holdings. Oversees patron interactions and provides leadership in customer service initiatives for University Libraries, delivering an array of library services, securing the library and its resources, and ensuring an environment conducive to learning. Flexibility to work varied shifts is required.

Essential Functions

• Creates bibliographic records in the library’s online catalog allowing students to locate and access tangible and electronic course reserve resources.
• Receives and replaces updates for the Library’s government document, legal and tax collections, and updates the online catalog to reflect current holdings, location and other changes. Responsible for quality control of the online catalog entries for books, legal and tax collections as well as periodicals for the Steelcase Library.
• Serials responsibilities: create, maintain and update holdings records, as well as adjust physical holdings. Update OCLC to reflect current holdings.
• Successfully utilize a suite of software and hardware to prepare materials for course support as well as fulfillment of Document Delivery requests. This requires the ability to locate, obtain and make available the requested materials by searching the library’s catalog and online databases.
• Observes and oversees student assistant and patron interaction and is responsible for intervening when necessary to address elevated patron emotion and/or to provide clarification related to policies and procedures. Responsible for training and guiding student assistants on issues related to customer service, library services and resources, and coaches them in communicating with clarity and tact.
• Responsible for assisting patrons with a wide range of transactions and inquiries related to the circulation of materials, patron accounts, library policies, reference and access, directional, and of general variety usually in a high-paced, multi-tasked environment.
• Serves as a point person for reference inquiries requiring an in depth knowledge of the library’s holdings, web site and online databases. Additionally, knowledge of proper reference interview technique is also needed.
• Helps ensure the safest possible library environment and the security of library resources and equipment.
• Assist with gathering and compiling statistics in relation to the user experience program.
• Participates in the promotion of library services.
• Identifies problems with and assists in troubleshooting of the library’s Automated Storage Retrieval System (ASRS), including contacting the Operations Manager or ASRS vendor when necessary.
• Oversees opening of the library.
• Identify and report problems with the facilities (i.e. burned-out light bulbs, water leaks, etc.) and help reduce energy use in the building.

Non-Essential Functions

• Assists with projects as assigned.
• Assist with energy issues by monitoring and reducing the use of lights, power and water as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Minimum of three years of relevant work experience.
• Ability to anticipate and quickly adapt to any potential problems arising in the library.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully maintain positive intercultural and interpersonal relationships.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully operate office equipment.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully provide quality customer service.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully maintain satisfactory work performance and attendance records.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Typing and spelling competency.
• Demonstrated experience working with databases.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully use a variety of computer software applications.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully work independently, organize own work and coordinate work activities of others.
• Excellent grammar and proofreading skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some college course work.
• Experience working in academic libraries.
• Familiarity with an integrated library system.
• Supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience to successfully perform mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.

Supervision Received

Receives general instruction from a designated supervisor but is generally expected to work independently.

Supervision Exercised

Hire, train, supervise, schedule and coordinate the work of student employees and may act as lead worker to other PSS staff members within the department/unit/division. 

Physical Demands

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Standard hours for this position: Coverage during open library hours (gvsu.edu/library/hours) including pre and post opening hours, Monday-Friday, daytime.

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