Collections Assistant III

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY is seeking a Collections Assistant III to support the South Asia Librarian and Asia collections team. You’ll assist with collection development, reference services, cataloging, and ensuring materials are organized and accessible.

The role is part-time (29 hours/week), on-site, with core hours 8am–4:30pm, Monday–Friday. Candidates should be detail-oriented, collaborative, and familiar with OPAC/OCLC tools and basic office software.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Familiarity with standard office software and basic office procedures.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt creatively to new situations.
• Strong attention to detail and thoroughness when reviewing catalog records and searching databases.
• Familiarity with online public access catalogs (OPAC) and OCLC.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, manage administrative tasks, and support multiple projects and team priorities.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Responsibilities

• Search library catalogs, identify duplicates, editions, volumes for purchase.
• Research vendors, compare prices, assist with South Asia Collection purchases.
• Submit purchase orders to Library Technical Services (LTS).
• Identify cataloging errors and direct items to LTS staff.
• Assist with cataloging and record accuracy checks.
• Prepare non-Western language serials by transliterating names, dates, and issue numbers.
• Respond to routine bibliographic, directional, and basic subject reference questions.
• Help patrons locate library materials and research resources.
• Maintain office files and correspondence records for vendors and patrons.
• Maintain South Asia Collection account records and assist with fund management.
• Generate monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on material fund expenditures.
• Assist the Area Team Lead with monitoring team funds and troubleshooting fund-related issues.
• Serve as a liaison to FOLIO Reporting for the Area Team.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Adaptability

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent

Tools

OPAC familiarity

OCLC

Office software

Job description

Collections Assistant III

This position supports the South Asia Librarian, Area Team Lead, and Asia Collections librarians in managing and maintaining library collections. Responsibilities include assisting with collection development, providing reference services, supporting cataloging activities, and ensuring collections remain organized and accessible.

• Search library catalogs, OCLC, and online databases to identify duplicate titles, earlier editions, missing volumes, and materials for purchase.
• Research vendors, compare prices, and assist with purchasing materials for the South Asia Collection.
• Submit purchase orders to Library Technical Services (LTS) under the direction of the librarian.
• Identify cataloging errors and direct problem items to the appropriate LTS staff.
• Assist with cataloging, fast-cataloging, and record accuracy checks based on training and language skills.
• Prepare non‑Western language serials by transliterating names, dates, and issue numbers.
• Respond to routine bibliographic, directional, and basic subject reference questions.
• Help patrons locate library materials and research resources.
• Maintain office files, paperwork, and correspondence records for vendors and patrons.
• Maintain South Asia Collection account records and assist with fund management.
• Generate monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on material fund expenditures.
• Assist the Area Team Lead with monitoring team funds and troubleshooting fund‑related issues.
• Serve as a liaison to FOLIO Reporting for the Area Team.

What We Need

• Associate's degree and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Familiarity with standard office software and basic office procedures.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt creatively to new situations.
• Strong attention to detail and thoroughness when reviewing catalog records and searching databases.
• Familiarity with online public access catalogs (OPAC) and OCLC.
• Ability to maintain accurate records, manage administrative tasks, and support multiple projects and team priorities.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with South Asian languages and scripts highly desirable.

Position Details

This is a part-time, 29 hour per week, position that is based in Ithaca, NY and fully on-site. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. The final schedule will be established in collaboration with the supervisor.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award‑winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition‑free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

EEO Statement

Cornellwelcomes students, faculty, and staff with diverse backgrounds from across the globe to pursue world‑class education and career opportunities, to further the founding principle of “... any person ... any study.” No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally protected status or subjected to prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Cornell University embraces diversity in its workforce and seeksjob candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. Wehire based on merit, andencourage people from historically underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.Consistent with federal law, Cornell engages in affirmative action in employment for qualified protected veterans as defined in the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and qualified individuals with disabilities under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Pay Range

$24.30 - $26.15

Contract Type

Hourly

Remote Option Availability

Onsite

About Us

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery and engagement. With our main campus located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell's far-flung global presence includes the medical college's campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, as well as the Cornell Tech campus located on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

We offer a rich array of services, programs and benefits to help employees advance in their career and enhance the quality of personal life, including: employee wellness, workshops, childcare and adoption assistance, parental leave, flexible work options.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.