Library Services Assistant, Access & Public Services

Yale University; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale University in New Haven seeks an Access and Public Services professional to provide frontline service desk support, assist patrons, and coordinate access to library resources across Marx Library and other sites as needed.

The role emphasizes user-centered service, collaboration with librarians, and supervision of student staff, with a Sunday–Thursday shift from 1:30pm to 10:00pm to cover peak usage periods.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality, user-centered service.
• Ability to work in a busy service environment with accuracy and professionalism.
• Ability to supervise student employees and coordinate team-based operations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates course reserves services and communicates with faculty.
• Supports resource sharing, scan and deliver services, retrieval requests, and related access workflows.
• Manages collection access activities including serials, acquisitions, and bibliographic workflows.
• Provides support for special collections and archival activities.
• Maintains library privileges and patron access records.
• Supports daily library operations including opening/closing procedures and safety reporting.
• Participates in training, workflow development, and cross-unit projects.

Skills

Public service

Patron assistance

Staff supervision

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of experience

Tools

Alma Circulation

Interlibrary Loan software

Reserves processing software

Job description

Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community, eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative, or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!

Overview

This position provides coverage primarily at Marx Library and supports other Access and Public Services sites based on operational need. Provides frontline support for public services and operational functions, ensuring high-quality, user-centered access to library collections, services, and spaces. Delivers service desk support and facilitates referrals to librarians and subject specialists as needed. May serve as staff in charge during assigned shifts and contributes to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all library users. Assists faculty, students, staff, alumni, and visitors in navigating library resources through in-person, phone, email, and other communication channels. Serves as a knowledgeable representative of the department, articulating policies and procedures clearly and professionally. Troubleshoots patron account issues, identifies resolutions, and escalates concerns when appropriate. Processes and retrieves materials for patron requests and internal workflows. Exercises independent judgment when interviewing patrons to determine the scope and depth of requests, responding directly or referring users to appropriate resources or specialists. Creates and maintains documentation for departmental workflows and procedures. Collects, maintains, and reports library statistics and operational data. Coordinates and supports circulation, resource access, collections maintenance, facilities monitoring, technology support, and student employee supervision. Identifies and reports facilities, equipment, security, and safety concerns according to established procedures. Actively participates in training and professional development opportunities to deepen knowledge of Yale Library resources, collections, and services. Regularly evaluates workflows and contributes to improvements in service quality and operational efficiency.

May be called upon to assist with disaster recovery efforts, participate in departmental or library-wide committees, support special projects, and perform other duties that support the mission and operations of Yale Library.

Responsibilities

Based on library assignment, operational needs, staffing requirements, and area responsibilities, incumbents may perform a variety of specialized Access and Public Services functions. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinates course reserves services, including processing print and electronic reserves and communicating with faculty regarding course materials.
• Supports Resource Sharing, Scan and Deliver services, retrieval requests, and related access workflows.
• Supports collection management and access activities, including serials and acquisitions workflows, bibliographic searching and verification, donor review, shelving, inventory projects, collection shifting, off-site storage transfers, retrieval services, and related collection maintenance functions.
• Provides support for special collections services, including monitoring use of materials, instructing patrons on handling procedures, and supporting archival activities.
• Maintains library privileges, patron accounts, and related access records.
• Supports library operations through opening and closing procedures, monitoring library spaces, reporting facilities, equipment, and security concerns, receiving deliveries, and maintaining access to collections and services.
• Participates in training, documentation, workflow development, assessment, service improvement initiatives, and departmental, library-wide, or cross-unit projects.
• May provide operational guidance and training to student employees.

Schedule: Sunday – Thursday 1:30pm – 10:00pm

Required Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality, responsive, and user-centered service. Ability to develop positive working relationships with patrons, colleagues, and campus partners while contributing to an inclusive and welcoming environment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a busy service environment while maintaining accuracy, attention to detail, and professionalism despite frequent interruptions and competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment. Demonstrated ability to coordinate, direct, or monitor the work of student employees and contribute effectively to team-based operations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with office technology, productivity software, and library systems. Ability to learn new technologies and troubleshoot common software, hardware, and equipment issues.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated reliability, initiative, adaptability, and ability to prioritize and complete complex assignments accurately.

Preferred Skills And Abilities

• High level of familiarity with Alma Circulation, Interlibrary Loan and Reserves processing and software.

Physical Requirements

Ability to push loaded book trucks; carry packages, boxes, or books up to 35 pounds; reach high shelves using step stools or ladders; bend to low shelving areas; stand or sit for scheduled hours; and tolerate dust and other conditions associated with library collections.

Principal Responsibilities

• Serves as a primary source of information on established procedures and policies for staff and patrons. 2. May perform a range of public and technical services functions. 3. Oversees, instructs, revises, the work or coordinates work activities of staff. 4. Provides research assistance to patrons and staff in writing and at reference desk. 5. Interviews patron to determine scope and depth of request. Identifies and resolves problems. 6. Searches for bibliographic data with incomplete information or source material in catalogs, reference sources, files, and databases. 7. Acquires library material that has been recommended by patrons or librarians. 8. Oversees a unit budget. Monitors expenditures, reconciles statements and maintains records. Organizes special projects. 9. Performs functions incidental to library activities. Required Education and Experience Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; or little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco‑free campus.