User Services Assistant

Requisition Number: JR29523 User Services
Grade and Classification: C-8 Library Assistant II
Division / Dept. / Unit: Library DLL - User Serv - Access Services
Reports to: Head of Access Services
Work Schedule: 37.5 hours per week: Schedule set upon successful hire

About the Department

Widely known as guardian of one of the largest academic library collections in North America, the University of Chicago Library is redefining its role as a provider of services within an increasingly open global knowledge ecosystem. We value open and equitable access to knowledge, freedom of speech and inquiry, and working in partnership within and beyond the UChicago community. We are creating a working environment that embraces innovation and respect and that celebrates and develops staff.

Job Information​

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Access Services Librarian and the Associate Director for User Services, the User Services Assistant supports the D’Angelo Law Library’s User Services operations in Access Services and Reference, responds to Law faculty, student and staff requests for document delivery, and to requests of other library patrons; monitors statistics on FacultyWeb, the Law Library’s faculty requests database; supports document delivery operations and course reserves; assists with interlibrary loans; and performs other duties as assigned, in accordance with Library standards and procedures. 

Responsibilities:

Access Services 

  • Promptly responds to requests for D’Angelo Law Library materials made in person and electronically by locating, retrieving, and returning materials as needed. Supports document delivery services, including course reserves and Scan and Deliver. 
  • Provides exceptional patron service at the Circulation Desk during scheduled shifts, including charging and discharging Library materials, picking up and re-shelving Library materials, and collecting fines. Responds promptly, accurately, and courteously to questions and requests for information from patrons and Library staff. Communicates relevant patron inquiries and circulation desk problems to supervisor and department colleagues. 
  • Closes or opens the library staff area and the Circulation Desk during early morning and evening shifts as assigned. Documents services provided, questions received, and other relevant information in the D’Angelo Law Library circulation log. 

Faculty Services

  • Monitors FacultyWeb, the D’Angelo Law Library queue for faculty requests. Fulfills requests and directs complex research requests to the Research Services Librarian or the Associate Director for User Services as appropriate.
  • Processes urgent requests for materials from faculty. Locates and retrieves materials located at other campus libraries in response to said urgent requests.
  • Processes requests for materials not held at the University of Chicago by referring for purchase or requesting via interlibrary loan. Monitor requests and follows up when issues arise.
  • Collaborates with the Student Reference Assistant to assist with processing faculty requests for materials and delivering materials to faculty offices as appropriate.
  • Uses specialized law databases (e.g., Westlaw and Lexis+) to fulfill faculty research requests as appropriate. Records and compiles statistics for Law faculty requests using FacultyWeb.

Scholarly Services

  • Supports the maintenance of the Law School’s faculty scholarship database, law_cites, and the institutional repository, Chicago Unbound, including gathering and sending PDFs of articles that are open access.
  • Performs searches and gathers information about faculty publications.
  • Assists with maintaining the law_cites database by coordinating faculty publication data input, resolving issues, documenting procedures, updating manuals, suggesting user interface improvements, analyzing maintenance problems, and recommending process changes.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

  • Strong service ethic. Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate with clarity, tact, and courtesy with patrons, staff, faculty, students and others. Accepts cultural differences and actively works to foster a diverse and inclusive environment.                                                              
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently and apply independent judgment within the parameters of the position and with appropriate supervisory support.
  • Ability to maintain a detail orientation appropriate to the level of the work, balanced by meeting the production standards of the work unit.
  • Demonstrated ability to be flexible in accepting changing individual responsibilities and a fluid work environment, including but not limited to changes in technology and workflow.
  • Reliability, dependability and punctuality in adhering to the daily schedule.

Education, Experience, and Certifications:

Education:

  • High school diploma required.

Experience:

  • Related library experience or an equivalent combination of position-related experience and education required.
  • Significant related customer service experience within a library, retail, or similar environment required.
  • Experience working with a variety of computer systems and applications required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

  • Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel; acquaintance with and interest in database and web searching tools and techniques.
  • Knowledge of related systems, procedures and operations (Library catalog, FOLIO,  discovery tools).
  • Experience with legal materials is desirable.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to sit or stand for long periods; ability to shelve and retrieve book and other library materials; position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and reaching.
  • Ability to move and lift up to 50 lbs. and push loaded book trucks, ability to handle large and oversized volumes; frequent use of a computer.
  • Ability to use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.

Pay Range:

  • $18.93 - 22.10 per hour

Required Documents:

  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • References

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Resume/CV of the application.

To Apply

To apply for this position, external candidates must submit their profile and any other required materials through https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/User-Services-Assistant_JR29523. Internal candidates must apply by logging into Workday using their CNet ID and password; for more information, please see How to Apply for a UChicago Job (Current Employee) QRG. Resumes sent via mail, fax, or email will not be considered. For more information, please see https://www.uchicago.edu/jobs

Posting Statement:​​

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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