Library Assistant IV

Position Summary

Columbia University Libraries is currently seeking applicants for the position of Library Assistant IV at the Avery Architectural & Fine Arts Library. Avery Library's rich collections include materials on architecture, historic preservation, art history, painting, sculpting, graphic arts, decorative arts, city planning, real estate, and archaeology, from all areas of the world and many time periods. Avery Library also houses three special collections, Art Properties, Avery Classics Collection, and Drawings & Archives. The Library currently contains more than 625,000 volumes and receives approximately 1,300 periodicals.

Reporting to the Head of Access and Collection Management, the Library Assistant IV will assist with general library duties. The incumbent will be responsible for operations at the Avery Library Services Desk at regularly assigned times and will be solely responsible for closing the library on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Responsibilities

• Processes electronic document delivery (Scan and Deliver) and universal delivery (Pick- up) requests for eligible Columbia affiliates including checking citations, pulling books and journals from stacks, scanning materials, and setting holds.
• Processes interlibrary loan lending (ILL) and RapidX requests including checking citations, pulling books from stacks, consulting with bibliographic staff, and scanning materials for copy requests when necessary.
• Performs all duties at the Avery Library Services Desk including but not limited to: in-house FOLIO circulation of Avery and Fine Arts materials using status patrons; circulation of circulating Avery-LC materials and materials from other campus libraries, Columbia ReCAP, Borrow Direct, and ReCAP shared collections; and maintaining routine scanner functionality.
• Handles patron policy, directional, and informational inquiries in-person, on the phone, and via email.
• Maintains Service desk, related paperwork, and maintains reserve stacks including straightening and shelf-reading.
• Closes library on specified evenings, including sweeping for patrons, turning off all applicable lights and appliances, and locking secured areas.
• Performs and reviews stack maintenance routines, including but not limited to: sorting, arranging, pick-ups, shelving, shelf-reading, straightening and shifting in Avery Library.
• Assigns, revises, and trains General Assistants in tasks listed above.
• Assists Reserves operations in tasks including but not limited to: verifying citations, searching CLIO and the card catalog, pulling materials from stacks, linking electronic materials to reserve lists, and de-processing items from reserves.
• Performs complex missing book searches, processes lists such as lost/missing action lists, and processes withdrawals
• Notifying appropriate CU entities in response to problems (Facilities, Public Safety, CUIT, LIT).
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma and/or its equivalent and six months? relevant experience required.
• Strong customer service skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work with computers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to recognize needs and prioritize identified tasks.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of colleagues and library users.
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 40lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some college preferred; Bachelor?s degree desirable.
• Previous experience in academic libraries.
• Some knowledge of one Western European language.