Library Assistant for Special Collections bei FISK UNIVERSITY

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Supports the Library’s Special Collections and Archives mission to ensure the preservation of African American history and culture and our heritage as a historically black college. Assists Special Collections and Archives staff in maintaining, organizing, and promoting materials. The Library Assistant will oversee occasional student assistants and volunteers; participate in communications with Fisk University faculty and students, researchers, and community members; participate in reference, public programming, social media efforts, and exhibits; record department statistics in appropriate databases and run monthly reports; participates in project meetings; participates in grant-writing, digitization projects, and preservation-related projects as needed. At times, this person may be the only library staff member on duty in the Reading Room and will be responsible for the space's security and functioning. The Library Assistant maintains departmental supplies and recommends purchases. She/he also assists the Special Collections Librarian and Archivist in developing policies and recommending changes, developing and evaluating workflow patterns, and improving services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides engaging, professional public service to library patrons in-person, over the phone, and via email; assists with visiting researchers; assists patrons with Special Collections periodicals, books, collections searches and other reference sources
• Provides guidance and some supervision to Special Collection Student Assistants
• Assist with processing and arranging of archival material and creating finding aids in archival software ArchivesSpace
• Assists with planning and implementation of programs and services.
• Assists Special Collections Librarian with research, reporting, projects, and idea generation; may proofread and edit reports or other library materials.
• Creates and maintains book displays and exhibits.
• Creates guides and other reference tools to facilitate access to archival collections
• Collects, compiles, and reports statistics related to Special Collections and Archives resources and programs.
• Maintains records, correspondence, inventories, and other general office functions.
• Recommends and evaluates reference books; maintains inventories; checks bibliographies against holdings, processes old and used books; may recommend purchase of books for Special Collections
• May be assigned to assist in different departments as necessary.
• Performs other tasks of a similar nature as assigned.

SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

•   Ability to interpret and apply policies and procedures.

•   Process bills and invoices for payment.

•   Prepare correspondence and reports.

•   Open, sort, and distributing incoming correspondence; process outgoing mail and   

     packages.

•   Order and inventory office and library supplies.

•   Possess and exhibit excellent customer service and human interaction skills; Excellent

     communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

•   Access and employ job-related computer software (i.e., Microsoft Office) at an effective

     proficiency level. 

•   Reading and writing proficiency consistent with noted educational requirements.

•   Must be able to work with a team independent of intensive supervision.

•   Maintains knowledge of current library trends and innovations, especially those relating  

     to Special Collections and Archives

•   Good knowledge of African American Resources

Qualifications

•  Education: Bachelor’s degree or above.

•  Experience: Minimum of  1 to 2  years experience at a college or university library; some

    experience working with African American collections desired

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES:

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Physical strength and ability to move up to 30 pounds of materials at one time

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Normal office conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate

*This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time.