Senior Library Assistant, Access Services

• Resource Sharing processes course reserves, consortium and inter library loan items, and make print and electronic materials accessible to patrons.
• Entrance Services is the first point of contact for all patrons and visitors to the Gelman Library. They manage visitor sign-ins, the building's Lost and Found, and most keyed access to the building.
• Circulation Services maintains a high level of customer service, checks in and out circulating materials, and collects and assess fines on customer accounts.
• Shelving responsibilities are shared among all staff. It is fielded through the Check Out desk where carts are prepared with materials to be re-shelved in the stacks areas.

• Delivering high level of customer service to library patrons in a fast paced physical environment.
• Working in a team to perform daily Access Services duties: providing access to the building; verifying visitor eligibility; providing policy and procedural information to patrons; checking in and out materials; creating and correcting library accounts; basic cataloguing of circulating incidentals; shelving of returned materials and reserve items; and provides basic reference to patrons.
• Interpreting library policies and procedures and assists users in facilitating access to the building, collections, and services.
• Showing initiative while performing daily activities. Communicating effectively with the team to ensure that group goals are met.
• Working to resolve customer inquiries and problems by exercising discretion and judgment in selecting the best solution, based upon policies and customer circumstances. Consulting with management, as needed.
• Assisting in training and monitoring student employees on the use of automated systems, such as Alma and myALADIN, and other departmental duties.
• Participating in shelving activities which include sorting, shifting and shelving the collection according to Library of Congress call number system.
• Providing feedback and assisting with developing user guides, patron handouts, training materials, using word processing and other software.

Qualified candidates will hold a high school diploma/GED plus 1.5 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• Ability to push and pull heavy book trucks and book tubs (weighing 50-100 pounds).
• Ability to frequently stoop and bend to retrieve items from shelves.

• One year of customer service experience is preferred (preferably in a library setting).
• Public or Academic Library experience desired.
• Willingness, availability and flexibility to work a combination of daytime, evening, night, weekend and overnight hours desired.
• Ability to work independently and diplomatically with patrons and library staff.
• Ability to give attention to detail.
• Ability to:
  a) Provide routine information about existing policy and procedure, by phone, written correspondence, e-mail, and in person.
  b) Actively listen and respond to routine inquiries, requests, and patron concerns.
  c) Correctly refer patron to other service points and management as needed.
  d) Ability to prioritize and individually handle simultaneous events and situations that occur during peak periods within a shift.
  e) Communicate verbal instructions to library assistants.
• Ability to recognize the basic elements in a bibliographic citation is desired.
• Knowledge of Library of Congress Call number classification, or ability to learn preferred.
• Working knowledge of word processing programs, electronic filing, and ability to learn variety of systems and software including BANNER, ALMA, and Illiad is desired.

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.