Interlibrary Loan Assistant

Requisition Number: JR27616
Grade and Classification: C-8 / Library Assistant II
Division /Dept. / Unit: Library C & A - Access Serv - Doc Del - ILL Lending
Reports to: Head of Interlibrary Loan
Work Schedule: 37.5 hours weekly

This position is represented by the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Head of Interlibrary Loan, processes incoming interlibrary loan requests using a wide variety of specialized software and services.  Performs duties of Library Assistant and Library Clerk positions. Performs work in accordance with Library standards and procedures.

Responsibilities

  • Processes incoming borrowing and lending interlibrary loan requests using ILLiad, OCLC Worldshare, ReShare, DOCLINE,  RapidILL, and Folio systems. Verifies citations in many languages and using a wide variety of sources and databases, and searches online catalogs and databases for materials held in our collections and elsewhere in the world.
  • Troubleshoots and corrects technical and policy issues related to interlibrary loan requests and software.
  • Provides customer service to UChicago patrons and coordinates with staff at other institutions to fulfill requests and track their status, including overdue and missing items. Answers general policy and procedure questions, assists clients with request creation, applies and waives fines.
  • Oversees student staff and work: introduce new employees to Library policies, procedures, programs, and equipment. Directs and trains student employees in a range of library tasks, including retrieval of materials from the stacks, request updating, readying items for shipment, and article scanning. Searches for items not found by student employees. Participates in assigning and monitoring daily student tasks. Provides coverage for these tasks as necessary.
  • In collaboration with other ILL Assistants, coordinates day-to-day processes and workflows related to fulfilling interlibrary loan requests.
  • Processes outgoing ILDS, BTAA, and BorrowDirect shipments to meet daily deadlines. Prepares ILL materials for shipment via FedEx, UPS, and other courier services.  Uses mailing and label-printing equipment, logs items, and prepares and prints out labels.  Inputs address information into shipping databases when necessary. 
  • Performs database maintenance by correcting errors in interlibrary loan records and manually updating interlibrary loan records as necessary.
  • Assists in the documenting of procedures, analyzes, and resolves problems, recommends changes in procedures and processes as necessary, assists in the monitoring of office supply levels, and participates in training sessions related to job duties as deemed necessary by the University.
  •  Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Competencies:

  • Demonstrates strong organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Demonstrates ability to work independently to effectively plan, prioritize, and complete work in a timely manner, to meet established departmental deadlines.
  • Demonstrates ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing, with excellent accuracy and attention to detail in written communications.
  • Demonstrates critical thinking and analytical skills, and ability to perform independent problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Ability to manage duties with flexibility and adaptability as office procedures, processes, and technology change.

Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent required.
  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Experience:

  • Related library experience, or an equivalent combination of position-related education and experience, required.
  • Patron/customer service experience in a high-volume library or related setting required.
  • Previous work experience performing bibliographic searches, including experience with Boolean and other advanced search techniques, preferred.

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

  • Working knowledge of library procedures.
  • Work experience and demonstrated strong proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
  • Strong keyboard skills.
  • Knowledge of standard reference sources.
  • Previous work experience with Interlibrary Loan software.
  • Reading knowledge of at least one (1) non-English language. 

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to carry or lift loads of up to 30 lbs. push and pull loaded book trucks.
  • Ability to use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
  • Ability to make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements.

Pay Range:

  • $18.47- $21.56

Required Documents:

  • Resume/CV

To Apply

To apply for this position, external candidates must submit an application and any other required materials through https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Chicago-IL/Interlibrary-Loan-Assistant_JR27616 Internal candidates must apply by logging into Workday and selecting the Career worklet; 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/.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. 

Posting Statement:​​

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff 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.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

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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