Apply Now

LIBRARY ASSISTANT (PUBLIC SERVICES)

Job ID27731-4058
CompanyMcMaster University
LocationHamilton
ProvinceON
Date Posted2019-07-16
Job TypeFull-time
Job CategoryEducation
Description

JD#: UJD206

Department:
The Health Sciences Library is one of McMaster University’s four libraries. The library offers information services, resources and expertise in support of the university’s commitment to knowledge-based health care practice and life-long learning.
Working in the Public Services unit, the Library Assistant is responsible for providing a variety of services to users and education programs during the fall and winter academic terms.

Job Summary:
Responsible for providing a variety of services to users and education programs including research help, circulation and reserve, interlibrary loans, collection maintenance, and the safe keeping of library resources. Requires a thorough knowledge of library policies, procedures and systems. Serve in Public Services on the service desk.

Representative Duties and Accountabilities:

  • Project work associated with bibliographic databases, including, but not limited to, analysis of author publication metrics and to prepare corresponding reports on an ad hoc basis.
  • Act as the first point of contact for users of all types. Answer or redirect general inquiries in person, by telephone and via email and responds independently to inquiries that are specific in nature and require a thorough knowledge of established policies and procedures.
  • Provide in-depth research help by interpreting patron requests for research materials and finding solutions to their research needs by constructing complex search queries of various online systems and networks.
  • Advise patrons on how to search, locate, and retrieve information from various library databases.
  • Refer requests to appropriate internal and external sources and offer alternatives as required.
  • Extract, interpret, and integrate information from a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional resources.
  • Search online databases to identify and determine the correct bibliographic entries for research materials.
  • Interpret bibliographic references to determine if the library owns the specific materials, where the items are located in the library system or on the internet, and whether or not they are available for loan.
  • Provide circulation, reserve, and interlibrary loan services.
  • Explain departmental policies and procedures to patrons and enforce them when necessary.
  • Update and maintain knowledge of the operational and administrative processes related to the functions of departmental and library-wide policies and procedures.
  • Make decisions and recommendations in situations where no established policy or procedure exists but there has been a past-practice or precedent set which can be referred to.
  • Apply an understanding of the broader context and philosophy of both the library and the University to serve patron needs.
  • Determine eligibility for borrower cards for non-University users based on established policies.
  • Collect payments for borrower cards, fines, and replacement charge.
  • Shelve library materials and maintain condition of library collections.
  • Write a variety of documents, formal notes and records including, but not limited to, correspondence, procedure manuals and incident reports.
  • Assist patrons with the use of printers and photocopiers in the library and report systems and mechanical problems to the appropriate area.
  • Assist patrons with problems in accessing resources and report systems problems to the appropriate department.

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.
  • 2-year Community College diploma in Library and Information Technology
  • Requires 3 years of relevant experience, including two years for the completion of a diploma in Library and Information Technology.

Additional Information:
The successful candidate will possess the following:
Strong commitment to public services
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Excellent critical thinking and problem solving skills
Excellent customer service skills
Excellent computer skills and experience in Excel
Proven ability to pay close attention to detail and to work with accuracy
Knowledge and experience in providing library reference and circulation services in health sciences
Searching skills relating to health databases and health literature
One-to-one teaching skills
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, in a fast paced environment
Experience working with university/library policies and procedures
Excellent computer skills and experience in Excel

This 8 months, part-time position is approximately from the end of August, 2019 to the end of April 2020.



For more information, visit McMaster University for LIBRARY ASSISTANT (PUBLIC SERVICES)