Reference and Reading Room Manager, UNLV University Libraries [R0152689]

University of Nevada-Las Vegas; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 58,140 - 71,060; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement plans

No state income tax

Tuition discounts

Job summary

UNLV University Libraries seeks a Reference and Reading Room Manager to provide strategic leadership of SCA public services, oversee the onsite reading room, and guide remote reference activities. You will supervise 3–5 student assistants and ensure high-quality reference support for patrons.

The role requires expertise in archival materials, Las Vegas history, and public service standards, along with coordinating copyright, reproduction workflows, and outreach activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• 3 years of experience working in archives or library public services.
• 1 year of experience supervising students or paraprofessional employees.
• Competence and sensitivity in working with a highly diverse population.
• Knowledge of basic library operations and reference interview strategies.
• Knowledge of best practices for care and handling of archival materials.
• Proficiency with Alma and Primo, and project management software (e.g., Trello or AirTable).
• Strong customer‑service, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively across organizational levels.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Physical ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds and maneuver carts up to 100 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement policies and workflows for the reference process, following professional standards for public services.
• Train all SCA faculty, staff, and students who work on the reference desk, ensuring a high level of customer service.
• Serve 8 hours per week on the reference desk and coordinate reference desk and paging schedules.
• Troubleshoot and resolve problems in the reading room and determine when escalation to higher authority is needed.
• Serve as the first point of contact for SCA email and phone reference requests, managing remote reference queries.
• Develop expertise in general Las Vegas and Nevada history and SCA’s archival and rare book holdings to provide effective reference assistance.
• Coordinate responses to copyright and permissions requests, including research on copyright status and overseeing the permissions process.
• Collaborate with Digital Collections to manage reproduction workflow, invoice patrons for orders, and manage PCI‑compliant payment processes.
• Collaborate with the Head of Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction to develop and execute outreach events, coordinate instruction sessions, select materials for classes, and supervise students during instruction activities.
• Coordinate and provide tours of the division.

Skills

Public service leadership

Reference interview skills

Training and supervision

Effective communication

Project management

Organizational skills

Independence & collaboration

Physical lifting ability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Alma & Primo

Trello or AirTable

Job description

Reference and Reading Room Manager

UNLV University Libraries (R0152689)

Position Overview

Reporting to the Head of Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction, the Reference and Reading Room Manager (RRM) provides strategic oversight and leadership of Special Collections and Archives (SCA) public service points, including the onsite reading room and remote reference queries. The RRM ensures knowledgeable and effective reference and research services are provided to all SCA patrons and supervises 3–5 student assistants in reference and administrative duties.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement policies and workflows for conducting all aspects of the reference process, following professional standards for public services.
• Train all SCA faculty, staff, and students who work on the reference desk, ensuring a high level of customer service.
• Serve 8 hours per week on the reference desk and coordinate reference desk and paging schedules.
• Troubleshoot and resolve problems in the reading room and determine when escalation to higher authority is needed.
• Serve as the first point of contact for SCA email and phone reference requests, managing remote reference queries.
• Develop expertise in general Las Vegas and Nevada history and SCA’s archival and rare book holdings to provide effective reference assistance.
• Coordinate responses to copyright and permissions requests, including research on copyright status and overseeing the permissions process.
• Collaborate with Digital Collections to manage reproduction workflow, invoice patrons for orders, and manage PCI‑compliant payment processes.
• Collaborate with the Head of Special Collections Research, Engagement, and Instruction to develop and execute outreach events, coordinate instruction sessions, select materials for classes, and supervise students during instruction activities.
• Coordinate and provide tours of the division.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• 3 years of experience working in archives or library public services.
• 1 year of experience supervising students or paraprofessional employees.
• Competence and sensitivity in working with a highly diverse population.
• Knowledge of basic library operations and reference interview strategies.
• Knowledge of best practices for care and handling of archival materials.
• Proficiency with technology and common office computing software, library databases and management systems (e.g., Alma and Primo), and project management software (e.g., Trello or AirTable).
• Strong customer‑service, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, project‑management, and time‑management skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively across organizational levels.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Physical ability to lift boxes up to 40 pounds and maneuver carts up to 100 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada history.
• Knowledge of U.S. copyright law.
• Strong training and teaching skills.

Commitment to Diversity

The successful candidate will demonstrate support for diversity, equity and inclusion and will work to create a respectful, positive work environment.

Salary and Benefits

Full‑time, 12‑month administrative faculty position at Grade B. Minimum salary is $64,600. Salary is competitive with those at similarly situated institutions. Each position receives an annual allotment for professional development activities.

• Competitive total rewards package, including:
  • Paid time off, sick leave, and holidays
  • Excellent health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
  • Comprehensive retirement plans and voluntary benefits programs
• No state income tax
• Tuition discounts at Nevada System of Higher Education schools, and for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents

EEO/AA Statement

The University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service‑connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). Discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including unlawful harassment, which is a form of discrimination, is illegal under federal and state law. Where unlawful discrimination is found to have occurred, UNLV will act to stop the unlawful discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, to remedy its effects, and to discipline those responsible. Women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Title IX Statement

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that it operates. Non‑discrimination on the basis of sex is mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination in its education programs and activities extends to applicants for admission and employment.

Safety and Security Statement

UNLV is committed to assisting all members of the UNLV community in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report compliance document is available online.