Senior Collection Assistant

Job Summary

The Senior Collection Assistant supports library operations by performing a variety of clerical and data entry tasks related to library materials and services. Key responsibilities include material acquisition, processing, boxing, and unboxing materials; verifying packing slips; processing materials for collection removal; and fulfilling interlibrary loan (ILL) lending requests. The role also involves routine work with bibliographic records, serials subscriptions, and ILL transactions. The Senior Collection Assistant responds to inquiries from staff and the public, communicates with other libraries and vendors to resolve issues, and provides guidance on routine policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Manage magazine renewal process and resolve problems related to magazine subscriptions.
• Perform acquisition duties including placing orders with vendors, downloading invoices, and receiving material.
• Process books by mail.
• Download bibliographic records and make routine edits and additions.
• Manage Interlibrary Loan user accounts including address verification, issuance of bills for lost material, and correspondence with patrons regarding requests; use Interlibrary Loan system to request loan of materials from outside libraries; process interlibrary loans and print ILL patron notices.
• Receive incoming material orders by unpacking orders and verifying contents match packing slips.
• Prepare materials for circulation in branch locations by inputting item information into library catalog, adding spine labels and other physical processing, checking material into circulation, and boxing materials for delivery.
• Perform routine book mending tasks within established guidelines.
• Provide guidance and support to other staff members by answering questions, using past knowledge and experience to solve any unusual situations or errors.
• Take initiative to professionally handle any errors within scope of work while keeping supervisor and manager informed.
• Participate in branch or department meetings and discussions that further the library’s mission and goals; may participate in cross-functional committees.
• May assist in training new staff; may assist in training the work of volunteers and substitutes.
• Keep informed of current library practices by attending workshops and educational programs or reading specialized literature.
• Assist librarians with new purchase requests

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Duties are considered non-essential and include the following:

• May prepare outdated library materials for library auction.
• May contact vendors and lending libraries with questions or issues regarding deliveries.
• Outline and prepare purchase orders for necessary supplies within routine course of duty.
• Create, modify or delete serial control records for magazine subscriptions
• Keep informed of current library practices by attending workshops and educational programs
• May work on special projects related to cataloging and classification
• Perform other job functions as assigned within the scope of the class
• Clean and mend library material
• Shelve library material
• Pack and unpack delivery boxes
• Update records, change status, reallocate materials.
• Prepare library material for adding or removing from the collection.

Education and Experience:

• Associates degree or equivalent.
• One to three years of related experience required.
• Past customer service experience required.

Schedule & Location

The schedule for this position is Mondays through Fridays. The schedule will be set with feedback from the final candidate following these parameters:

• The schedule may start as early as 8:00 AM and end no later than 5:30 PM.
• The schedule may include either a 30 minute or 1 hour meal period.

Compensation & Benefits

This position earns between $22.28/hr and $31.48/hr.  To be considered for a starting salary above the pay grade minimum, candidates must exceed the minimum experience requirements listed above. 

We have an excellent benefit package. FVRLibraries covers 90-95% of full-time employees’ health insurance premium cost and 90-100% of dental insurance premium costs.  In addition we provide employees with Life Insurance, AD&D and Long-Term Disability Insurance at no cost to the employee.  Employees have the ability to enroll in additional, voluntary life insurance, income protection plans, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.

Our employees enjoy 13 paid holidays throughout the year. Full time employees accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.  The initial vacation leave accrual is 11 hours per month; this increases over time based on years of employment. We also offer other types of paid time off for situations such as jury duty, bereavement leave, inclement weather and more.

Supervision

This position does not directly supervise other staff members. Position functions under general supervision, following established procedures and policies but also using past experience to guide and develop solutions to routine work events. May also provide lead worker support to other staff by answering questions and provide guidance for some nonroutine situations.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work is conducted in a normal library setting in public spaces and in staff work rooms and offices. Regular lifting of stacks of books and of library materials in boxes (up to 35 pounds) is required. Pushing and pulling carts loaded with books or equipment is required. Much of the work is done at a personal computer. Work may also require walking, standing for extended periods of time, bending, stooping and operating a passenger vehicle. Some work may be conducted outside of the library, such as at schools, businesses, community meetings and events.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire regulations. Additional safety precautions must be observed when moving and working on technology equipment found throughout the library.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply" and follow the steps to complete your online application. To be considered candidates must,

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

• Provide a current resume and completed profile. 

• If selected, complete and pass an assessment.

FVRL values diverse perspectives and life experiences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including veterans, those with disabilities, persons of color, immigrants, refugees, or those who identify as LGBTQIA+. FVRL is committed to being equitable and fair in providing access to opportunities for all. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to apply for this position or to perform essential functions of this position. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing any pre-employment testing, interviews or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our Human Resources department.