The Syracuse University Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) seeks an Access Services Supervisor to ensure researchers receive consistent and equitable access to rare and unique SCRC collection material within a high volume, fast paced, and team oriented Public Services department serving SU and the broader local and global community.
The SCRC Access Services Supervisor manages daily operations of the SCRC Reading Room, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment in the Reading Room for all researchers and visitors, and supervises a team of SCRC Public Services student employees.
The Supervisor is responsible for:
- coordinating researcher visit requests
- researching and answering reference inquiries
- participating in the reference desk rotation
- fulfilling collection requests via Aeon and Microsoft Outlook
- managing researcher requests for duplication of collection material
- contributing to additional projects as assigned
The Supervisor ensures compliance with university policies governing access to records and safeguards the privacy and confidentiality of researchers, donors, and creators. The Supervisor reports directly to the SCRC Reference and Access Services Librarian and works collaboratively with staff from across the department and library.
Education and Experience
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a related area or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Two years of relevant work experience in public service areas of a library, museum, or other cultural heritage or academic service setting.
- Demonstrated supervisory and/or service management experience.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct research and answer information requests.
- Commitment to contributing to an equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment.
Desired qualifications:
- Experience with special collections or library circulation and tracking systems (e.g. Aeon, Ex Libris Alma, Jira).
- Coursework in a related field
Skills and Knowledge
Best combination of the following:
Significant understanding of
- Management strategies for time, organization, and prioritization.
- Equitable and inclusive customer service strategies for diverse communities.
- Workflow, documentation, and assessment systems.
Ability to
- Be a proactive, engaged, and responsive member of a team.
- Prioritize and balance multiple and competing time-sensitive tasks.
- Exercise discernment and judgement in supervising students, staff, and services.
- Think critically and creatively to understand, analyze, and solve problems related to library service and operations.
Demonstrated
- Written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Interest in learning new skills and tools.
- Experience in team building and motivating staff to increase engagement.
Responsibilities
Reading Room Operations
- Supervise and manage all Reading Room operations during operational hours of the Special Collections Research Center Reading Room.
- Manage scheduling for Reading Room staffing and provide back-up coverage as needed.
- Utilizing Aeon and Outlook, coordinate visit requests for researchers, manage appointments, and prepare requested collection material.
- Routinely update and implement Reading Room and access services policies and procedures in accordance with best practices and in collaboration with the SCRC Reference and Access Services Librarian.
- Plan and implement the orientation, training, and ongoing direction of SCRC staff and student employees in Reading Room policies and procedures, including development of training documents.
Student Supervision
- Directly supervise a team of graduate and undergraduate student employees in accordance with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 200 United Hourly Student Employees agreement.
- Hire, onboard, and guide student employees, including assigning, training, and providing feedback on their work.
- Collaborate with the SCRC Reference and Access Services Librarian on new hires. Partner with Human Resources to address performance concerns and update the Librarian on outcomes.
- Provide ongoing coaching through technical guidance, corrective instruction, and professional modeling.
- Continually assess training needs, collaborate with the Reference, and Access Services Librarian to develop and implement training pathways.
- Supervise the routine retrieval and reshelving of SCRC collection materials.
- Collaborate with the SCRC Reference and Access Services Librarian when managing graduate student workers¿ reference activities.
- Foster an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
Reference
- Research and provide reference support related to SCRC collection materials for onsite and remote researchers via email, in-person, and phone.
- Participate in the Reading Room reference desk rotation.
Duplication
- Manage researcher requests for duplication of SCRC collection material.
- Coordinate with the SCRC Reference and Access Services Librarian to ensure compliance with preservation guidelines, donor restrictions, and United States copyright law.
Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
Enter Physical Requirements
Tools/Equipment
Enter Tools/Equipment or "Not Applicable"
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.