Access Services Associate

Department: Library Learning and Curriculum SupportPosition covered by the Collective Agreement with USW Local 4120 If you are a current employee of the University of Guelph you must apply on the internal Career Page in order to be considered as an internal applicant. Career Opportunities (sapsf.com) General Purpose Reporting to the Manager, Access Services, the Access Services Associate coordinates and supports the day-to-day operations required to manage library user accounts and loans, enable access to electronic resources, pay for physical and electronic content from outside the library’s collections and contribute to the learning, teaching and research needs of the U of G community. Access Services provides direct user and research help services to students, faculty and staff at the Ask Us Desk, through email and virtual reference. The department also acquires research materials to support faculty and student research through Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery, and Stack Maintenance. The Access Services department is the first point of contact for most students, faculty, staff, and visitors who use the Library and is responsible for the provision of a variety of public services aimed at educating users about Library services and about how to access and use the various resources and collections available within and outside the McLaughlin Library. The incumbent is responsible for a wide range of activities including supervision, functional guidance and coaching, training, troubleshooting, financial management and reporting, data evaluation and analysis, policy compliance, and student learning needs. Duties and Responsibilities The Access Services Associate is the direct supervisor of a team of up to 20 work-study students each semester and is responsible for hiring, training, supervision, oversight and performance management of the student team. In addition, the incumbent also provides functional guidance for up to 6 USW staff and may offer guidance to members of other library teams as necessary in the performance of their duties. This position supports staff development by assisting the manager in designing and delivering customized training, including developing training materials and guides. The position involves independent troubleshooting requiring expert knowledge of circulation policies and how to use and access resources available to the library, a solid understanding of library policies, copyright and fair dealing, and expert knowledge of the enterprise-level systems the department uses in its day-to-day work. The incumbent also provides independent reference and research instruction assistance for library users which requires in-depth knowledge of resources available, advanced knowledge of how to search multiple platforms, and an overall understanding of the academic and research requirements of the university community. The incumbent instructs users in finding information, recommends sources for research, suggests research strategies and helps users navigate the wide array of electronic and print resources. When providing reference and research assistance, the incumbent must quickly determine the users’ needs, identify solutions and recommend a course of action. In a three-tiered triage system, the Associate also provides the second level of referral from Access Services staff for more complex reference and research questions from students, faculty and staff. This position supports the activities of the Manager, Access Services, by managing the Interlibrary Loan acquisitions budget of the team and providing detailed statistical analyses to enable strategic planning and service design and delivery. The incumbent is responsible for assisting the manager in designing and delivering a range of academic and user support services to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff, and enhancing student engagement, retention, and the timely completion of their university programs. The incumbent is responsible for assessing the efficacy of procedures and workflows in the department and making appropriate improvements to areas they directly oversee such as part-time and student employee task coordination and workload, Stack Maintenance, and student staff supervision to meet departmental goals and deadlines. Requirements Undergraduate degree in any discipline and library technician diploma with 2 years of related experience, or equivalent education and experience. Experience coordinating staff, providing guidance, and working in a consortial library environment with shared services, systems, or collections. Knowledge of academic library policies, services, goals, and Canadian copyright law in an academic setting. Proficiency with core organizational technologies (email, word processing, spreadsheets, web apps) and collaborative tools (OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams). Ability to quickly adapt to new technologies (hardware, software, and online content platforms such as research databases, e-books, e-journals, and streaming media). Strong customer service skills, relationship-building ability, and client-focused attitude. Familiarity with AODA accessibility standards and commitment to inclusive service delivery. Excellent oral and written communication, active listening, and superior organizational skills. Strong problem-solving skills and analytical abilities. Solid capacity to synthesize information and respond quickly and accurately to issues. Team-oriented, with a commitment to professional development and intellectual curiosity Broad understanding of the academic research cycle, teaching process, and university learning objectives. Any interlibrary loan/resource sharing experience or training and/or certification is considered an asset. Other preferred qualifications include prior supervisory experience, intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel, and first-hand experience with Alma Library Services Platform, Primo discovery system, and RapidILL Interlibrary Loan services platform. Shift details: This position works nights and weekends as necessary in the performance of their duties. Employee Type: Regular Position Number: 10400122 Classification: USW, Local 4120 Salary: Band 6 USW Local 4120 Wage Grid *Tentative evaluation; subject to final review. At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution. Posting Date: 11/26/2025 Closing Date: 12/03/2025