Library Associate - Monographs
Position summary:
This position oversees the acquisition, copy cataloging, and processing of monographic materials. Responsibilities include the following: define, prioritize and oversee the day-to-day activities and operations of the unit; develop and implement unit procedures, policies and goals, working closely with the technical services librarian and library director; collect, analyze and report data related to unit functions and collections; monitor the acquisitions budget; maintain proficiency in the integrated library system modules and other systems critical to unit operations; hire, train and oversees student workers assigned to the unit. A library associate is an expert-level paraprofessional position requiring specialized knowledge and skills to oversee, with minimal direction, a unit within the library, carrying out complex technical tasks and exercising independent judgment to develop guidelines and solve problems impacting unit operations.
Responsibilities:
•Oversee the monographs unit in compliance with organizational rules, policies and procedures. Coordinates and carries out monographic acquisitions, copy cataloging, and processing, providing prompt and cost-effective procurement of print and non-print materials and their timely readiness for library patrons.
•Formulates and implements unit procedures, policies and long- and short-term goals for monographic acquisitions, donations, cataloging, and processing. Works collaboratively with the library director, faculty librarians and staff in other units to set standards and coordinate priorities. Identifies and analyzes complex problems impacting goals and policies and recommends solutions.
•Prepares detailed financial and statistical reports needed for library planning and decision-making.
•Oversees and maintains the acquisitions and cataloging modules of the integrated library system. In consultation with the technical services librarian, establishes, maintains, and updates system codes to ensure the effective use of the system for managing the monographic collection and generating reports.
•Creates and maintains manuals and documentation of local system configurations, procedures and practices for monographic acquisitions, copy cataloging, and processing.
•Trains library staff and student employees in the use of appropriate integrated library system (ILS) modules and ensures effective integration of the systems in unit workflow and planning.
•Coordinates monographic gifts and donations, including receiving, evaluation and dispersal of unwanted materials according to existing guidelines. Coordinates exchange of material with other libraries.
Acquisitions
•Creates and modifies local integrated library system records to track ordering, receiving and fiscal information.
•Functions as the library’s principal contact with monographic vendors. Establishes good vendor relations, monitors performance, and implements new vendor services as appropriate. Maintains working knowledge of vendor ordering systems, policies, and contracts. Resolves complex payment and receipt problems.
•Coordinates and monitors the monographs budget, preparing annual budget projections, encumbering funds based on projections, verifying and processing invoices, preparing requisitions, reconciling expenditures and generating financial reports. Collaborates with the university’s finance office, the library director, library administrative assistant, and faculty librarians as appropriate to carry out these functions.
•Orders and receives books, media, and other library materials for the collection using vendor ordering systems, the acquisitions module of the integrated library system, and other tools.
•Cataloging and processing
•Performs copy cataloging using appropriate OCLC software and ILS modules. Creates, maintains, and updates monographic records according to national and local standards.
•Coordinates the processing of monographic materials according to in-house standards. Develops, monitors, and documents quality-control and other procedures to ensure efficient workflows so that library materials are available and accessible to patrons in a timely manner.
•Monitors supplies needed for the physical processing of monographic materials and coordinates supply orders for the technical services unit.
•Evaluates damaged library materials and coordinates their repair, replacement, or removal in consultation with faculty librarians.
Requirements:
•Bachelor's degree.
•Three years’ progressively responsible acquisitions or cataloging experience.
