INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

*

Cunningham Memorial Library

 

Position Description

 

 

Date:                           08/27/2009

 

Unit:                            Circulation Department

 

Position Code:           CR 9775

 

Position Title:            Library Associate II (Circulation/Browsing Clerk)

                                    Vacant

 

 

REPORTS TO:

The Circulation Clerk is supervised by the Chair of Circulation Department.  All browsing collection development responsibilities are supervised by the Browsing Liaison.

 

BASIC PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

This position performs specialized library work related to daily operations. This position is the only full-time employee in the library during current regular semester hours of 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (subject to change), and supervises the "Open 24 Hours" service the library provides during Finals Weeks for Fall and Spring Semesters. Responsible for maintaining a safe environment for patrons who are in the building during the late evening/early morning hours. Responds to emergencies calmly and efficiently and exercises considerable judgment within established procedures and guidelines; uses discretion, independent action and judgment to analyze facts, make decisions, and take action to maintain a safe library environment; and directs student assistants in tasks that support the evening/morning operation. Directs the closing process which includes a series of public service announcements, summons a Public Safety officer to provide escort service to library patrons at their request, supervises top to bottom floor checks to assure that all occupants are safely out of the building, and ensures that all exterior doors are properly secured and the alarm system is activated. Communicates well in person, over the phone and via electronic mail; possesses good interpersonal skills, including tact, courtesy and civility, in accordance with the Library's mission, vision and values; interprets Library policies and procedures and is able to communicate them to faculty, staff, students, and outside constituents. Develops an increased knowledge of the Library's integrated online catalog; attends designated training sessions and seeks other opportunities to enhance job skills. All activities are performed in consultation with and under the supervision of the Chair of the Circulation Department.

In addition, this position manages the circulation aspects of the browsing collection. Requires working closely with the Browsing Liaison and with staff and faculty from other departments in order to fulfill responsibilities that pertain to this collection.   All Browsing Collection development responsibilities are supervised by the Browsing Liaison.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Performs or is able to perform most or all of the duties and responsibilities of a library Associate I within the Circulation Department (including ILL).
- Performs all aspects of circulation, including regular rotation on the circulation desk.
- Hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates circulation student assistants.
- Performs payroll responsibilities as they pertain to student employment.
- Tracks and analyzes department's student budget expenditures and creates related reports for the chair.
- Compiles departmental statistics for monthly and annual reports.
- Maintains Browsing Media Collections (DVDs, CDs, games, VHS tapes, and books on CD):
- Tracks and solves problems such as non-functioning discs, multi-disc sets that are missing parts, title labeling issues, and misfiled media
- Ensures prompt and accurate re-shelving of these materials, oversees missing materials searches and pick-up processes.
- Assists in collection development activities by weeding materials from the Browsing Collection in accordance with set procedures/policies.
- Manages and assists with projects designed by the Chair.
- Communicates closely with Department Chair.
- Performs other duties as assigned.  

 

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

Must meet the minimum requirements of a Library Associate II, including a high school diploma or equivalent and 3 years of library or relevant experience. 

 

REQUIRED SKILLS:

Ability to supervise the closing of the library and all it entails.  Communicates well in person, by phone and via electronic mail.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with library personnel, faculty, students, patrons, and external constituents.  Excellent customer service skills.  Ability to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner, to focus and work in a busy and changing environment.  Ability to interact with student employees in a responsible, positive, teaching manner.  Ability to use initiative and creativity. 

 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

3 years of library or relevant experience.  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite software, particularly Excel.

 

PREFERRED EDUCATION:

Some college.  Knowledge of library classification schemes.  Knowledge of clerical and record keeping tasks and of standard library circulation routines and methods. 

 

PREFERRED SKILLS:

Ability to learn and use different types of software. 

 

SUPERVISION:

In cooperation with other staff who oversee student employment, the Circulation Clerk participates in the hiring, training, directing and evaluating the work of student assistants (2 direct, 10 indirect); assists in the training of new staff members and cross training of other staff members.

 

IMPACT STATEMENT:

This position is responsible for staffing the library until closing (currently 2:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday). This is the only full-time staff member in the library after 9 p.m.  Filling this position is vital to keeping the library open during the late evening/early morning hours. The staff member is responsible for assisting patrons, supervising student assistants, and ensuring the security and safe closing of the building. So great is the need for this position, it is imperative that a replacement is hired to fill the vacancy upon the incumbent's departure. Without this position, the library would be hard-pressed to maintain its current open hours. This position is critical to fulfilling the library's mission.  

 

JOB COMPLEXITY:

This position is responsible for the year-round late evening/early morning operation of the library. Responds calmly and efficiently to emergencies that range from building maintenance issues, to confronting unacceptable behavior exhibited by a patron, to physical and verbal confrontations between patrons. Exercises considerable judgment within established procedures and guidelines. Uses discretion, independent action and judgment to analyze facts, make decisions, and take action to maintain a safe, effective library environment.  

 

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS-INTERNAL CONTACTS:

Administration, faculty, support staff, student assistants.

 

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS-EXTERNAL CONTACTS:

Students, faculty, Controller’s Office, other universities.

 

WORK SCHEDULE:

Specific evening and weekend hours are required; currently 5:45 p.m. to 2:15 a.m., Sunday through Thursday (subject to change), with a one-hour dinner break.  This position is responsible for closing the library.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Office environment.

 

 

APPLICATION:

Open to all qualified applicants.  See https://www.jobs.indstate.edu to apply.  Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until September 21, or until the position is filled.  ISU is an AA/EEO employer that encourages the applications of women and minority scholars. ISU has a higher percentage of diverse and multicultural students than any other Indiana university.