Access Services Assistant at Fordham University Libraries

METRO | 599; New York (NY); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading library seeks a part-time Access Services Assistant to provide support for library operations, including user assistance and resource sharing. The role involves closing the department daily, handling inquiries, and assisting with training library assistants. Applicants need a B.A. or B.S. and prior customer service experience, along with strong organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a library, internships and work-study included.
• Prior public/customer service experience required.
• Ability to lift books and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Provides courteous and efficient customer service regarding library operations.
• Conducts ILL/Resource Sharing duties daily.
• Closes the Access Services Department units each evening.

Skills

Customer service

Detail-oriented

Effective communication

Critical thinking

Education

B.A. or B.S.

Job description

Reporting to the Head of Access & Circulation at the Walsh Library on the Rose Hill campus, the part-time (hourly, non-benefited) Access Services Assistant provides support functions for the Access Services departments five evenings per week for 19 total hours weekly. This position provides courteous and efficient customer service regarding all facets of library operations offered by the Access Services Department—including interlibrary loan, resource sharing, circulation, reserves, and stack maintenance activities—as well as general library user assistance with library technologies and IT services, such as printing. As the staff member tasked with closing the department regularly, this position’s daily hours align with the department’s operating hours throughout the academic year, as well as during intersessions, recesses and summer session. Travel to the Lincoln Center and/or Fordham Westchester campuses is not required for this position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts ILL/Resource Sharing duties daily: researching requests submitted through ILLiad for Fordham users; processing electronic and print lending requests; packing/shipping books, as needed; and assists department head with promoting resource sharing (LibGuide updates, etc.)
• Assists with user inquiries at the Circulation & Reserves Desk in person; monitors the shared departmental email accounts; and provides courteous help over the phone
• Closes the Access Services Department units each evening, including securing all department technology, ensuring all spaces are prepared for the next workday and locked accordingly
• Assists with training, mentoring, overseeing, and encouraging library student assistants
• Conducts stack maintenance duties, including auditing, retrieving, and searching for print materials; as well as shelving, shifting, shelf-reading and inventorying when needed
• Contributes to departmental services and offerings, such as: intercampus loans, document delivery, digital reserves, study room reservations, StackMap updates, and self-check unit troubleshooting
• Assists with special projects assigned by the department head and/or other library administrators
• Other duties as assigned
• Hours: Monday-Thursday, 3pm-7pm; Friday, 3pm-6pm; schedule may vary during intersessions, recesses and summer session

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. or B.S. required
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a library, internships and work-study included
• Prior public/customer service experience required
• Must be detail oriented, flexible and able to communicate effectively and efficiently
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities effectively, work independently, exercise individual initiative, use critical thinking skills, and demonstrate flexibility as a team member
• Physical requirements: ability to lift books/boxes of books, push book carts, move shelves from one height to another, maintain balance on step stools, and stand for extended periods of time