Library Assistant III, Acquisitions Unit

Job no: 499414
College / VP Area: Vice Provost for Libraries
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark
Categories: Libraries & Museums, Full Time

Pay Grade27N

The University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press seeks a detailed-oriented individual to work in the Acquisitions Unit of the Collections, Acquisitions, and Resource Sharing Department. This is a 12-month, full-time, nonexempt position reporting to the Coordinator, Acquisitions Services.

Context of the Job:

Under limited supervision of the Coordinator, Acquisitions Services, this position is responsible for receiving all approval plan titles and firm orders from Library vendors. The incumbent works collaboratively with other members of the unit as well as with colleagues in the Cataloging and Metadata and Multimedia and Access Services departments. Communication with vendors and publishers is necessary to resolve receipt and payment issues. This position is responsible for posting and troubleshooting invoices for purchases for a substantial amount of the library collections budget.

Acquisitions Services, a unit within the Collections, Acquisitions, and Resource Sharing Department, orders, receives, and provides shelf preparation for all library materials in all formats, and liaises with the University’s Accounts Payable unit to ensure prompt payment of invoices.

 Major Responsibilities:

  • Receive all approval and firm orders from a variety of domestic and international vendors.  Provide initial troubleshooting for problem items and communicate with vendors regarding incorrect or incomplete shipments, duplicates, or defective items.
  • Review invoices electronically uploaded into the library management system and manually create invoices as needed.  Load bibliographic records and invoices downloaded from vendor websites into the library management system.  Preview, edit records, and generate orders and invoices.
  • Locate bibliographic records for newly-acquired material in the library management system or OCLC WorldCat and assess the quality of the item’s cataloging.  Edit local bibliographic records as needed for location and status.
  • Manage processing of gifts of library materials, including evaluating material condition, searching online catalogs to record relevant bibliographic information and to evaluate the quality of the bibliographic record in WorldCat, and sorting items for final disposition after a collection development decision has been made.
  • Provide support for the acquisition of physical media, including updating online records and assisting with the shelf preparation of new DVD, Blu-ray and video game arrivals.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or GED and three to five years of related experience, or Bachelor’s degree and one to three years related experience.
  • Requires specialized knowledge of library records in automated library systems and other specialized library databases, and procedures in specific library operations. Ability to use advanced computer techniques in word processing, spreadsheet, database and Web-based applications.
  • Ability to perform advanced bibliographic searches in a variety of databases and the Internet.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with complex transactions and to perform detailed and accurate work.
  • Ability to work independently and devise solutions to problems.
  • Advanced organization and time management skills.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and interact well with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to verify accuracy of information, resolve discrepancies and follow-up on outstanding activities.
  • Ability to understand, explain, and apply rules, policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures and backgrounds.
  • Commitment to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.
  • Experience using an integrated library system; experience working in library acquisitions, preferred.

Special Requirements: Must be able to lift, with or without assistance, boxes of books and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds, push and pull full book carts weighing up to 250 pounds.

General Information: The University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press (Library) is committed to student success, scholarly research, and inclusive excellence. The Library is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and antiracism and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. The Library collaborates with strategic campus partners to achieve these priorities, as well as with national professional organizations including the Association of Research Libraries, Center for Research Libraries, Coalition for Networked Information, Council on Library and Information Resources, Digital Library Federation, OCLC Research Partnership, SPARC, HathiTrust, the National Digital Stewardship Alliance, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), and the ACRL Diversity Alliance. More information about the Library is available at: https://library.udel.edu

Benefits: 25 vacation days. Generous 403(b) retirement plan. Tuition remission for dependents and spouses, and course fee waiver for employee. Full information about University of Delaware benefits is available at: www.udel.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/benefits/

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close: Open until filled

You can find a link to the job description here.

Posted: 10/12/22