Circulation Assistant

Staff - UnionJob CategoryCUPE 2950Job ProfileCUPE 2950 Salaried - Pub Svc Library Asst 2 (Gr4)Job TitleCirculation AssistantDepartmentMusic, Art and Architecture | Circulation | UBC LibraryCompensation Range$4, $4,386.00 CAD MonthlyPosting End DateAugust 2, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

This is a full-time sessional position from September to April, working on Vancouver Point Gray Campus.

POSITION FUNCTION:

Works at the Circulation Desk of the Music, Art & Architecture (MAA) Library providing basic to moderately complex circulation, information and reference services. Participates in collections maintenance, equipment maintenance, and office administration. Oversees the work of student assistants as it relates to stack maintenance on evenings and weekends. Works the closing and weekend shifts on a Sunday to Thursday rotation.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under the direction of the MAA Library Manager. Maintains close working relationships with staff and librarians in the MAA Library, the Chapman Learning Commons (CLC), ASRS/PARC, other UBC Library branches/units, and the public. Assists in training and overseeing student assistants on evenings and weekends.

DUTIES:

1. Acts as an initial resource person by performing duties such as providing information to patrons, responding to inquiries and complaints, and resolving disputes.

2. Assists in the resolution of moderately complex problems in the areas of circulation, reserves, stack maintenance, and reference.

3. Works at the Circulation Desk providing services including charging, discharging and renewals. Places holds, traces, recalls, and rush cataloguing requests. Accepts and processes cash and debit/credit payments for library products and fines. Verifies floats and operates the cash register and debit machine. Processes refunds. Clears hold shelf of expired requests.

4. Answers directional, policy and general information questions regarding library holdings in person, by telephone and by email. Explains and enforces library policies and procedures. Interprets patron and/or circulation records. Demonstrates how to navigate UBC Library catalogue and website. Directs patrons to known resources to meet information needs. Locates books, journal articles, and other materials, verifies and completes bibliographic citations, and finds potential interlibrary lenders. Refers complex questions and all fine reductions, cancellations or increases to senior library assistants.

5. Provides basic to moderately complex reference assistance to patrons at the Circulation Desk when the Reference Desk is closed. This includes: asking questions to assist in assessing user needs, directing patrons to necessary resources, demonstrating how to navigate and use the UBC Library website, and demonstrating how to search for needed information in a range of formats. Refers complex questions to appropriate librarian.

6. Monitors security gates and building alarms. Provides assistance or access to disabled users, couriers, building operations and campus security. Opens and closes the library. Jointly responsible for safety and security of library occupants and facilities on evenings and weekends. Receives reports of thefts and incidents in the Library. Contacts Plant Operations to deal with Trouble Calls. Contacts Patrol and RCMP when dealing with serious patron or building security problems.

7. Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate services by retrieving and storing items in the ASRS, evenings, weekends and during exceptional circumstances.

8. Collects, sorts, shelves, shelf reads, arranges, moves and straightens stack materials. Processes traces and searches prepared lists of materials.

9. Oversees the work of student assistants as it relates to stack maintenance on evenings and weekends.

10. Checks regularly to ensure photocopiers, public printers, and scanners in the division are in good working order. Provides assistance with printing, copying and scanning-including, assisting patrons with Pay for Print issues, problem cards, refund situations, and any questions pertaining to print, copy and scanning functions. Performs basic maintenance and troubleshooting of photocopiers and printers. Reports maintenance issues to service technicians or appropriate library staff.

11. Accesses online bibliographic records and using the appropriate program generates spine labels for catalogued, and, as required, uncatalogued materials. Using techniques approved by the Preservation Office, removes old spine labels and applies new labels to materials as required.

12. Provides back up for mail room delivery as needed.

13. Performs other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the job.

EXERCISING JUDGEMENT/IMPACT OF DECISIONS:

Work is monitored to ensure adherence to established work policies. Tasks are clearly defined and unusual problems are referred to the MAA Manager. Organization and prioritization of work to accomplish goals is expected. Independent action is sometimes required during evening and weekend shifts, but work is usually performed according to established policies and procedures. Consequences of inappropriate judgement are adverse patron relations requiring the intervention by the Manager to deal with repercussions. Error of judgment in emergencies could result in delays or an escalation of the situation. Failure to secure the library could leave the building, the collection and its users vulnerable.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Position is accountable to the Manager of the Music, Art and Architecture Library. Works independently with minimal supervision on evenings and weekends. Performance reviews conducted by the MAA Manager.

SUPERVISION GIVEN:

Oversees the work of student assistants on evenings and weekends.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High school graduation, plus two year Library Technician diploma, plus two years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of library policies, procedures and circulation services. Ability to understand bibliographic records and to use on-line searching protocols. Ability to interpret and apply library policies with consistency. Must be able to type 40 wpm and to operate the normal range of library equipment. . Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, library database applications at an intermediate level. (Word, Excel, Outlook, Voyager(ILS) systems preferred). Effective oral and written communication. Ability to recognize, respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Takes initiative in learning about language and issues relating to equity and diversity. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships and engage in workplace culture. Ability to recognize and appreciate the contributions of colleagues. Committed to demonstrating respect to colleagues at every level by trusting in their abilities and knowledge to perform their roles and earning respect through meeting commitments. Models and demonstrates good communication through active listening and appreciative inquiry and open to providing and receiving timely, constructive feedback. Listens to, encourages and expresses creative and innovative ideas. Open to experiment and improvise with new ways of approaching processes, tasks or problems. Ability to provide quality service to customers in a courteous, patient manner. Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to prioritize and work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines. Ability to exercise sound judgement and tact. Ability to work both independently and within a team environment. Ability to follow and carry out instructions. Ability to sort and file accurately. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs of boxed materials and to push fully loaded book trucks. Ability to work evenings and weekends.

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