Library Asst

**Schedule**

35 hours per week

Monday to Friday

8:30am - 4:30pm

**Education Level**

2-year Community College Diploma in Library and Information Technology or related field

**Career Level**

Entry Level
- JD#: JD00370_

**General Description**:
Responsible for the acquisition, copy cataloguing, and access of collection resources in various formats. Maintains access to electronic resources and the integrity of the online catalogue through the creation, revision, and deletion of all bibliographic and related records for all formats. Requires a thorough knowledge of library policies, procedures, and systems.

**Representative Duties & Responsibilities**:

- Set up and maintain filing systems, both electronic and hard copy.
- Sort, file, shelve, and retrieve materials in a variety of formats.
- Write a variety of documents including, but not limited to, correspondence and procedure manuals.
- Gather information from various sources and conduct pre-order searches.
- Receive and process resource requests for patrons and send notice when materials are available for pick-up.
- Generate information resource use reports by extracting data from the catalogue and other databases as required.
- Monitor accounts for appropriate fund availability.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with vendors.
- Investigate supplier availability and obtain pricing information for library materials.
- Ensure subscriptions are renewed and paid for on an annual basis to avoid interruption to service.
- Verify that invoices reflect the accurate cost of the product and contain the terms for renewal and report errors to vendors as required.
- Select appropriate existing vendor and generate purchase orders.
- Receive and inspect all library information resources.
- Claim purchases and renewals that have not been received or for which electronic access has been lost.
- Create spreadsheets and input information required to perform calculations including, but not limited to, percentage price increases and proportions of consortia and shared purchases.
- Gather and compile information related to acquisition statistics.
- Conduct database and online searches for vendor, publisher, and holding information.
- Search databases in order to verify, update, and import suitable catalogue records into the library system.
- Extract, interpret, and integrate information from a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional resources.
- Create, edit, and delete bibliographic and related records.
- Test library system software upgrades by verifying the parameters for indexing, sorting, and displaying information, and refers any issues to others for resolution.
- Explain relevant cataloguing rules and codes to library staff and patrons.
- Provide advice and training on how to find bibliographic information to library staff and patrons.
- Locate and update new uniform resource locators for broken links.
- Provide and maintain access to electronic journals for library patrons.
- Identify and troubleshoot connectivity problems, browser problems, and linking problems for online resources.
- Review package title lists, identify migrating titles, and locate a new source for the item.
- Receive and resolve patron complaints and vendor issues and report publisher's website errors to the publisher.
- Ensure that resource questions are answered in a timely manner and follow-up appropriately.
- Interpret bibliographic references to determine if the library owns the specific materials, where the items are located in the library system or on the internet, and whether or not they are available for loan.
- Refer requests to the appropriate internal and external sources and offer alternatives as required.

**Supervision**:

- Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff and volunteers.

**Qualifications**:

- 2 year Community College diploma in Library and Information Technology or related field.
- Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

**Assets**:

- Resumes of applicants with 0-3 years’ experience will also be reviewed
- Experience with Ex Libris Alma an asset

**Additional Information**:

- Must be available to work on-site at the main McMaster University campus

**How To Apply**

**Employment Equity Statement**

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Facu