Hybrid Access and Collection Services Librarian chez Vanderbilt University

Position Summary:

The Access and Collection Services Librarian supports the law library’s access and collection services functions, including document delivery, interlibrary loan, bibliographic records maintenance, physical collection maintenance, and collects departmental data. This position collaborates with colleagues in other Vanderbilt libraries and the Law School on access and collection services and initiatives. The position reports to the Head of Access and Collection Services.

About the Work Unit:

The Alyne Queener Massey Law Library offers a broad range of expertise, resources and services that enable the Law School to carry out its program of legal education, and support scholarship and research. 

The Access and Collection Services Department within the Alyne Queener Massey Law Library is responsible for the library’s document delivery service, interlibrary loan, circulation, stacks maintenance, manages record-keeping, discovery, processing, and distribution of all physical and electronic resources for the law library using the ExLibris Alma integrated library system. Functions include: assisting the library service desk, fulfillment, interlibrary loan, document delivery, collection maintenance, acquisitions, cataloging, electronic resource management, serials and supplementation management, and collection development coordination.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Fulfillment

• Updating and managing user records; 
• Updating and managing circulating material rules; 
• Coordinating on library system rules; 
• Reviewing queries regarding library fees posted against patron accounts; 
• Ensuring that the University Libraries’ circulation policies are accurately reflected in the library’s integrated library system for law library’s materials and users.

Cataloging

• Editing bibliographic and other records to ensure compliance with Library of Congress cataloging rules and standards and local policies and practices, as needed; 
• Drafting policies and procedures; 
• Removing and updating holdings for all titles being added or withdrawn; 
• Updating authority records as needed. 

Acquisitions and Collection Development

• Support financial compliance by approving and/or creating invoices for payment;
• Participate in evaluation of the collection for growth, deaccession, inventory, and organization;
• Coordinate the acquisition, processing, organization, and maintenance of physical and electronic materials as needed;
• Coordinates access to materials for law journals, faculty, and other student groups as needed;
• Participate in reviewing statement of accounts from vendors and resolving billing questions and disputes with vendors.

Library Reserves

• Determining items to purchase for reserve collection; 
• Updating and maintaining reserve circulation policies; 
• Ensure that all electronic course reserve materials comply with copyright laws and guidelines and licensing agreements, 
• Including obtaining necessary permissions and offering guidance to faculty and librarian staff in making copyright determinations; 
• Working with Head of Access and Collection Services to ensure that reserve material records and policies are accurately reflected in the catalog.

Library Spaces

• Searching for missing books and assisting with stacks maintenance; 
• Monitoring law journal shelves and user accounts; 
• Providing support of law library’s service desk as needed; 
• Updating and informing Head of Access and Collection Services and Administrative Manager of Law of incidents and equipment issues within the library.

Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery

• Coordinating the delivery of borrowed interlibrary loan materials and Vanderbilt University Libraries materials to Vanderbilt Law School faculty, students and staff; 
• Preparing items for shipment; 
• Downloading/scanning articles for electronic delivery; 
• Processing returns of requested items; 
• Assisting patrons and law journals with ILL by approving new patron records; 
• Sending patron notifications; 
• Monitoring overdue notices; 
• Coordinating billing and reimbursement; 
• Obtaining clarification on requests and cancelling requests that cannot be filled; 
• Coordinating with liaison librarians to fulfill delivery requests; 
• Retrieving materials from other campus libraries as needed; 
• Communicating with and delivering materials to faculty; 
• Coordinating with others to perform same.

Miscellaneous

• Triage reference questions to law liaison librarians; 
• Contributing to and maintaining access and collection services LibGuides;
• Recording meaningful reference interactions into library’s assessment collection system; 
• Other duties as assigned.

Professional Development

• Supports research and learning by participating in professional organizations and engage in scholarly activities at the local, regional, and/or national level and participating in campus library system-wide committees and collaborating with colleagues in other campus libraries on programs and policies.

Supervisory Relationships:

None 

Education and Certifications:

Minimum education required: MLS (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited institution

Experience and Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse group of individuals with diverse skill sets
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Experience with Microsoft Excel and Word
• Supervisory experience preferred
• Experience with an integrated library system, preferably Ex Libris’ Alma
• Familiarity with legal materials, legal vendors and legal publishing trends

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

Internal:  Frequent contact with co-workers, various departments, staff, and faculty members to provide information and assistance

External:  Frequent contact with external organizations to coordinate access for interlibrary loan, and to provide information and assistance

Student/Faculty/Patron:  Regular contact with students, faculty, and library patrons to provide information and assistance

Company