Library Information and Reserves Specialist

Title: Library Information and Reserves Specialist

Location: University of New Hampshire – Main Campus

Work Type: Remote, Full Time

Job ID:JR5246

Job Description:

USNH Employees should apply within Workday through the Jobs Hub app

The University of New Hampshire Library is seeking a Library Information and Reserves Specialist (Library Services Specialist, Operating Staff, Grade 11) to join our team. This full-time, benefited position (37.5 hours/week, typically Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.) with some flexibility for remote work.

We are looking for a colleague who thrives working both independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment. If you’re excited to contribute to an innovative library organization and want to enjoy excellent benefits, including tuition support for up to five courses per year, paid time off, and a generous retirement contribution, we encourage you to apply. Even if you don’t meet every listed qualification, please don’t let that hold you back; we recognize that a list of requirements can’t capture all the skills and perspectives that would strengthen our team.

With general direction from the Information Services, Facilities, Materials Management and Digital Services and IT Program Leads and working closely with program colleagues, but with considerable independence and autonomy serve as a source of information for patron inquires. With colleagues, responsible for daily information desk operations, and the Course Reserve Service, both in person and virtually. Direct patrons to the appropriate library resource or service. Perform a variety of duties to support patron service in accordance with Information Services procedures, which require a broad functional knowledge of library systems, standards, and circulation policies. Manage the Course Reserve operations, serving as primary contact for reserve related questions, circulate material, and process requests, register borrowers, and provide information and general directions to patrons through various communication channels. Provide work direction and training to adjunct and student employees. Assist in maintaining a library environment conducive to study and research. Keep current documentation of processes within assigned area of responsibility. Maintain confidentiality of circulation, patron, and billing records.

Duties/Responsibilities:

55%

• With general direction from Information Services Program Lead, and working closely with program colleagues, provide information and circulation assistance at the library’s information desk.

• Operational activities include but are not limited to circulation of materials, physical and remote patron services, registering borrowers, assisting patrons with the use of library physical and online library resources and explain and interpret library policy, directing patrons to various collections and departments, registering of non-UNH patrons, and responding to circulation and Course Reserve inquiries via multiple communication mechanisms.

• Manage all aspects of course reserve services, including creating records and building lists, processing digital material, providing guidance for reserve billing, and maintaining required statistics.

• Train and provide work direction for adjunct and student employees including providing performance feedback with supervisor and “in the moment” training and refresher opportunities.

• Gather and provide statistical data to assist with making recommendations of service changes as needed.

• Serve as primary contact for instructors regarding Course Reserve lists, materials, and questions.

• Provide point-of-contact between the Library and the UNH community for virtual outreach initiatives.

• Manages and maintains virtual aspects of outreach programming.

• Demonstrate diplomatic assertiveness and tactful communication skills in dealing with non-routine situations and successfully negotiate potentially complex conflict between library policy and patron preferences.

15%

• With general direction from the Facilities Program Lead and working closely with UNH Library and Facility program colleagues, strive to provide an inclusive environment that is conducive to research and study.

• Contribute to ensuring Library patrons and materials are as safe and secure as they can be.

• May be asked to review/do environmental scans of other academic libraries to improve UNH Library facilities, policies, and services.

• May be responsible for operations including opening/closing the library and serving as the primary point of contact for emergencies or issues affecting library patrons.

15%

• With general direction from the Materials Management Program Lead, and working closely with program colleagues, coordinate key cross-over functions of the Materials Management Program that directly impact the Information Services Program and patron community.

• Train and provide work direction for Materials Management Program student employees.

• Gather and provide statistical data to assist with making recommendations of service or operational changes as needed.

10%

• With general direction from the Digital Services and IT Program Lead and working closely with program colleagues, create and maintain trainings and resources related to Open Educational Resources (OER) to facilitate OER discovery and adoption in the UNH community.

• Assist faculty with the use OER by providing guidance on resource availability and open license requirements.

• Ensure copyright compliance by interpreting fair use guidelines for items scanned for electronic reserve.

• Serve as administrator for library SpringShare products (LibGuides, LibAnswers, etc.), including managing user accounts, enabling technical features, and communicating with ET&S on support needs for this software.

5%

• Work effectively and creatively across the organization to achieve library and campus wide goals.

• The duties above are not intended to be all inclusive. There will be other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience: 

• Associate’s degree and three years of related work experience, or any combination of higher education and related work experience equal to five years. 

OR 

• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience that provides applicant with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the role. 

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 

• Ability and willingness to foster a healthy work environment.

• Commitment to creating an environment that supports belonging, respect, and mutual understanding.

• Basic computer skills and an ability to learn new computer software programs and platforms.

• Comfortable working in a team-based environment and a proven ability and willingness to work independently and collaboratively.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and take initiative to improve workflow, processes, and organizational efficiencies.

• Demonstrated attention to detail and experience maintaining accurate records, managing tasks (sometimes multiple), and planning and organizing work to meet evolving priorities. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse clientele of faculty, staff, students, and colleagues both internal and external to the University.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Willing and able to provide information services that reflect the needs and experiences of a wide range of communities.

• Understanding of job specific processes, protocols and policies particularly as applied to academic research libraries.

• Willing and able to troubleshoot and resolve issues (e.g., service, technology) independently or with appropriate guidance. 

• Experience in a similarly responsible position (course reserves, training, keyholder, opener/closer, etc.).

• Experience using a Library Services Platform (LSP) such as Ex Libris Alma.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Location:

Durham

Salary Grade:

Non-Exempt Staff 11