Library Specialist Onsite

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

We are seeking an Information Resources Specialist Senior to join a student-centered community of information professionals at The Frances Willson Thompson Library and Genesee Historical Collections Center as our Library Specialist. Reporting to the Library Office Manager, the Library Specialist is a key member of the library's front desk team, assisting library users, coordinating with librarians, guiding the work of student library assistants, and partnering with the Access Services team to ensure the front desk operations are well-managed day-to-day. The Library Specialist is a first point of contact for students and faculty, answering basic research assistance questions, referring more complex questions to librarians, and managing course reserves. We are seeking a collaborative partner who demonstrates sound judgment and discretion to work successfully with faculty, staff, students, and all who work in and use the library and archives spaces.

This is a full-time 40 hour per week (100% effort) position.

The full time salary range is $45,700 - $57,100.

Responsibilities*

Library Research Assistance (50%)

• Serve as first call in assisting library users with research and reference questions in all formats - currently, this includes in-person, chat, email, and phone
• Perform triage to determine the best course of action for providing research assistance to library users
• Answer basic questions and refer more complex questions to a librarian
• In partnership with librarians, train students to serve as Peer Library Research Assistants
• Coordinate the workflow of the Peer Library Research Assistants

Daily Front Desk Coordination (30%)

• Coordinate front desk operations during assigned shifts
• Serve as back-up for Morning and Evening Circulation Supervisors as needed, including knowledge of open and close processes
• Guide the work of student library assistants

Course Reserves (20%)

• Contact professors and put materials on course reserve
• Email professors with current reserves to ask to renew or remove them
• Update Alma reading lists and ensure Primo reflects Alma
• Ensure library catalog accurately reflects available course reserves as they appear in Alma
• Weed inactive (expired) course reserves

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• 3 or more years of directly relevant Library experience

• Experience with standard office applications such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and problem solving capabilities with laptops, printers etc

• Strong Verbal and written communication skills

• Time-management skills

• Detail-oriented

• Team-focused

• Able to adapt to a changing environment

• Comfortable with adaptability

• Must be able to lift or move items 25-50 pounds, push a cart, and lift items on and off shelves

Essential Job Functions

Must be able to perform the essential duties of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience training and mentoring student assistants

• Experience using a library management system such as Ex Libris LMS

• Experience with course reserve software

• Experience in navigating digital library resources(databases, integrated Library systems)

Why Work at U-M Flint?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future.

Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions after 12 months of eligible service with immediate vesting.
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Eligibility for benefits based on your job group, your appointment percentage and the length of your appointment. Learn more about employee benefits and eligibility from the UM Human Resources Benefits and Wellness webpage.

UM-Flint offers tuition support for eligible UM-Flint staff members. In addition, UM-Flint offers dependent tuition support (DTS) for qualified dependents of faculty and staff from all UM campuses. Information can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/hr/benefits/.

Information about our vision, mission and values can be found at: https://www.umflint.edu/chancellor/leadership-mission-vision/

Modes of Work

Onsite

The work requires, or the supervisor approves a fully onsite presence. Onsite is defined as a designated U-M owned or leased work location within or outside of the State of Michigan.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes here.

Work Schedule

Work Schedule: This position will require some flexibility to cover the Circulation desk or student needs. This position may work some evening hours as needed.

Work Locations

The primary work location for this position is in the Frances Willson Thompson Library on the University of Michigan-Flint campus.

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.