Course Reserves and Resource Sharing Specialist

Saint Louis University; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Saint Louis University is seeking a Course Reserves and Resource Sharing Specialist to administer print and electronic course reserves, support interlibrary loan, and assist with department operations. Working hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm.

During breaks and summer, shift hours may change to meet library operating hours. The role includes frontline circulation duties, patron assistance, training student workers, and gathering statistics to support library services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Two years of library experience or equivalent.
• Proficiency with library-specific applications and CMS.

Responsibilities

• Oversees course reserve services and maintains Reserve Collection records.
• Provides frontline circulation desk service and patron support.
• Assists with interlibrary loan processing and document delivery.
• Trains and supervises student assistants.
• Maintains and reports on operational statistics.
• Ensures copyright compliance for reserve materials.

Skills

Library access

Circulation services

Resource sharing

Customer service

Communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Integrated Library Systems

Content Management Systems

Databases

Job description

Who is Saint Louis University?

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world‑class academics, life‑changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

JOB SUMMARY

The Course Reserves and Resource Sharing Specialist administers print and electronic course reserve services, ensuring that instructional materials are accessible to students and providing timely support to instructors. This position supports inter‑library loan and resource‑sharing requests, provides frontline service at the circulation desk and assists with department operations, student employee training and library access services. Working hours are from Monday through Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm. During breaks and summer, the shift hours may change to meet the library’s operating hours.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Course Reserves

• Oversees all aspects of print and electronic course reserve services, including adding/removing materials and creating electronic records to build the Reserve Collection database.
• Serves as primary contact for instructors regarding Course Reserve materials.
• Assists and advises faculty and staff on the use of the Reserve Collection, assuring that items placed on reserve comply with Copyright Fair Use, or obtain permission through the Copyright Clearance Center or by direct contact with individual publishers.
• Pays invoices from the Copyright Clearance Center and inform the Administration of payments.
• Compiles and maintains the Course Reserves Procedures Manual to standardize policy.
• Provides training on reserve procedures.
• Trains and provides direction to student assistants supporting reserves.
• Gathers and provides statistical data regarding reserves.

Service, Communication & Problem Solving

• Performs circulation duties within Access & Delivery Services department.
• Provides frontline customer service at the circulation desk by assisting patrons with borrowing, returning, and renewing library materials.
• Manages patron accounts, billing issues, overdue materials, and access‑related concerns.
• Opens and closes the library as assigned and helps maintain the security of the building and collections.
• Responds to user questions, assists with basic reference and directional questions, and guides users in navigating databases, conducting searches, and locating materials.
• Processes library holds.
• Maintains a good understanding of library policies to address any patron inquiries.
• Assists with training, supervision, and evaluation of student assistants.
• Collects and monitors statistics needed for operational efficiency.

Interlibrary Loan Support

• Under the direction of Inter‑library Loan Coordinator, assists with the processing of interlibrary loan requests.
• Processes incoming and outgoing interlibrary loan requests in accordance with establishing library procedures and resource‑sharing guidelines.
• Retrieves, scans, copies, and prepares library materials for delivery to requesting patrons or lending libraries.
• Receives and processes materials borrowed from other libraries and ensures timely notification and delivery to patrons.
• Communicates with patrons and participating libraries regarding the status of requests.
• Processes renewals, returns, cancellations and other routine updates associated with inter‑library loan transactions.

Collaboration & Professional Development

• Supports the library’s mission, vision, and values.
• Contributes to the advancement of the library’s strategic plan.
• Prepares, reviews, maintains, and assists with a variety of related reports, records, and documents.
• Cooperates as a team member with library staff in performing any duties essential to efficient library services.
• Participates in committees and groups in support of library’s strategic plan implementation.
• Participates in ongoing professional development and stay current regarding library related practices, technology, and equipment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of academic library access, circulation, course reserve and resource‑sharing practices.
• Knowledge of copyright and fair use principles applicable to course reserve services.
• Knowledge of integrated library systems, database applications and content management systems.
• Knowledge of best practices in academic research libraries and Access and Delivery Services.
• Strong customer service, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interpret and address user needs.
• Ability to de‑escalate difficult or complex situations.
• Ability to explain technical information and processes clearly.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University community.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to train and provide direction to student assistants.
• Ability to contribute to the library mission, strategic goals and commitment to serving a diverse university community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of library experience obtained within the previous five years or an equivalent combination of current library experience, training, and/or education in related fields.
• Proficiency with library‑specific applications, including integrated library systems, database applications and content management systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supervising student employees.
• Experience in an academic research library or Access and Delivery Services environment.

Applicants must include

• A cover letter.
• A resume/curriculum vitae.

Function Libraries Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Equal Opportunity Statement

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non‑merit factors.

Contact

If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.

Saint Louis University is a premier employer in the St. Louis region that attracts faculty and staff from around the world. We recruit people of all faiths who share our mission to pursue truth for the greater glory of God and the service of others.