Collection Maintenance & Shifting Specialist - University of Chicago

As a center of intense intellectual inquiry, the University of Chicago Library aspires to be the most dynamic research and learning environment in the world, supporting the University’s commitment to research and teaching and to using its intellectual resources to help solve the world’s problems. Even as we continue to focus on building and preserving our renowned collections, the Library is assuming new roles that are vital to research, innovation, and learning at the University. In the process, we are leveraging the deep expertise of Library staff, developing services that support new avenues of research, and expanding access to and preservation of scholarly resources in ways that advance the goals of the University community and the needs of the next generation of scholars.

Reporting to the Collection Management & Circulation Services Librarian and working closely with other Collection Maintenance team members to cultivate an accessible and well-maintained physical collection in the Joseph Regenstein Library bookstacks and reading rooms, the Collection Maintenance & Shifting Specialist works with a high degree of independence to distribute physical collections, maintain shelf order, analyze density and growth, and execute projects to transfer and shift collections in their areas (~1.5 million volumes of ~4.5 million volumes total).

Responsibilities:

• Works with a high degree of independence to address collection maintenance issues in assigned areas, including designing and executing shifting and transfer projects in Regenstein Library, measuring collections and compiling growth data, triaging materials that cannot be shelved, and updating records as needed to transfer materials to other collections.
• Directs and trains student employees in routine collection maintenance tasks, including shifting collections, shelf reading, sorting and shelving books, as well as pickup and check-in of books; performs quality control measures and provides feedback on student employee performance to ensure ongoing accuracy of student work.
• Assists the Daily Operations & Student Staffing Coordinator in directing and prioritizing student employees in daily operations; directs and prioritizes student employees on weekends and other times when the Coordinator is not present.
• Develops and documents detailed knowledge of assigned areas of the print collections and suggests and tests improvements to workflows to ensure collection maintenance and shifting is efficient and responsive to current and evolving priorities.
• Participates in the operational priorities and daily responsibilities of the department, including tasks assigned to students when students are unavailable; resolves or routes problems as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Identify priorities in order to recognize and resolve or refer problems.
• Ensure decision quality, accountability and drive results.
• Exhibit resilience and optimize resources.
• Foster positive partnerships and collaboration.
• Display emotional intelligence.
• Work independently and as part of team.

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Experience:

A minimum of one (1) year of work experience in a library or equivalent environment required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Experience with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets required.
• Basic reading knowledge of a foreign language, particularly non-Roman script strongly preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Work Schedule Mon - Fri, 9am-5pm.
• Ability to bend, crouch, or stoop and climb up to a 3’ stepladder.
• Ability to carry or lift loads of 25 to 49 pounds and push/pull loaded book trucks.
• Ability to make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements.
• Ability to see, including color, depth perception, or clarity; must be able to visually focus on print and electronic material for long periods and use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
• Ability to sit or stand for 4 hours or more.

Pay Range:

• $17.80 - $20.56 per hour

Required Documents:

• Resume
• Professional References (3)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Benefit Eligibility​

Yes. The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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