Library Services Assistant

Position Summary:
Reporting to the Director of the Music Library, the Library Services Assistant coordinates the evening operation of the Music Library service desk and provides high-quality customer service to library users. Working 20 hours per week, including three late afternoon/evening shifts, this position oversees circulation services, maintains the physical organization and accessibility of library collections, and serves as the primary point of contact for library users during hours when librarians are not present. The position exercises independent judgment in responding to musicrelated reference and service inquiries, assists library users with equipment and technology, and supports outreach and engagement activities. This position also oversees shelving quality control, digitizes print and audio materials, and assists with the training and supervision of student employees in the absence of the Student Supervisor. This position plays a key role in fostering a welcoming, user-centered environment while ensuring efficient library operations and adherence to established policies and procedures. Occasional coverage of additional shifts may be required to support departmental staffing needs.

About the Work Unit:
The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries at Vanderbilt University is comprised of nine libraries, as well as service departments in technical services, scholarly communications, IT infrastructure, and digital scholarship. We seek to create a welcoming environment and serve as a partner in research and scholarship. The libraries are dynamic places for faculty, staff, students, and alumni to reflect and discover. We also strive to be a workplace in which staff at every level continuously grow in knowledge and skills, staying abreast of advances and trends in librarianship to power relevant, vibrant research libraries.

The Temporary Support Assistant works in the Wilson Music Library, one of nine campus libraries within the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries. The library’s primary user base is faculty, students, and pre-college students located in the Blair School of Music but inclusive of general university students interested in music. The music library staff work closely as a team, planning and delivering services to their constituents and making collections decisions together.

The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries are fundamental to the university’s goal of advancing scholarship and learning. We collect, preserve and make accessible a wide variety of resources, we partner with faculty and students to shape research, and we encourage the development of informed scholars and engaged citizens.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Performs all circulation functions and coordinates all operations of the service desk.
• Provides music subject expertise for reference services during hours when librarians are
  not present; exercising independent judgment, interviews library users to determine
  scope and depth of requests, then responds to or refers requests for appropriate action.
• Responsible for the physical and organizational maintenance of the Music Library’s print
  materials collection.
• Develops and maintains system to review shelving for accuracy; responsible for shelving
  quality control; keeps statistics related to shelving to establish workflow metrics.
• In the absence of the Student Supervisor, supervises and participates in the training of
  student employees.
• Develops friendly, cooperative working relationships with library users; promotes a
  positive library image in contact with the public.
• Instructs library users in the use of audio-visual equipment, and printers as needed;
  resolves problems with this equipment.
• Supports student desk attendants in resolving customer service issues in a user-focused,
  equitable way.
• Responds to emergency situations as appropriate per established guidelines and
  procedures.
• Digitizes print and audio materials.
• Assists with the processing of archival materials.

Communications:

• Internal: Frequent contact and complex communication with various departments, staff,
  and faculty members
• External: Some contact with outside researchers and community partners
• Student/Faculty/Patron: Frequent contact with students, faculty and library users

Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and
functionally to the Director of the Music Library
 

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree

Experience and Skills:

• 1 year of work experience in an academic or research library
• Must be willing to work evenings – 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Total work hours are 20 per week 
• Ability to interact and communicate tactfully and effectively with library users with varied research and instructional needs; demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service, preferably in a library setting or in a fast-paced service environment
• 5 years of equivalent work experience in lieu of minimum education
• Knowledge of music and experience handling music-related material
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, email and internet browsers; proficiency in using Library catalogs and Integrated Library Systems; ability to learn and apply new technologies to existing operations
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities and tasks
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Degree or background in music
• Music library experience, preferably with an automated circulation system
• Reading ability of a foreign language
• Student supervisory experience
• Knowledge of sound recording media, recorded sound history and/or musical
  discography
• Familiarity with audio-visual equipment
• Project management experience