Job Description

Staff - Union

Job Category CUPE 2950

Job Profile CUPE 2950 Salaried - Pub Svc Library Asst 4 (Gr8)

Job Title Access Services Assistant

Department UBC Library I Xwi7xwa Library

Compensation Range $4,601.00 - $4,953.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date September 30, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Circulation & Collections Assistant open and closes Xwi7xwa Library. Works scheduled shifts at the Information desk to provide circulation services and respond to directional and information queries. Monitors branch email account and refers questions and requests to the appropriate person. Provides moderately complex reference service as required, including via the AskAway provincial reference service. Recruits, trains, schedules, and supervises Xwi7xwa Library Hosts. Processes holds, interlibrary loans, and other circulation-related requests from patrons and other libraries, and ensures materials are properly reshelved. Ensures that statistics on library use are collected and accurate. Monitors the branch and repots any issues to facilities managers. Works on collection management projects, including weeding, book moves, and stacks maintenance. Performs other duties as required.

Organizational Status

Works under the general direction of the Indigenous Programs & Services Librarian, and works closely with all Xwi7xwa librarians and staff on projects, reference, community programming, and matters relating to collection management. Participates on teams and working groups. As Xwi7xwa Library is part of the First Nations House of Learning, this role collaborates on shared projects with colleagues in the Longhouse.

Work Performed

Circulation/Reference:

• Opens and closes library, and addresses any outstanding circulation or shelving tasks.
• Provides circulation, reference, and directional support at the front desk. Answers circulation, directional, and complex information queries in person, over the phone, via email to the branch email address, and via Askaway.
• Places requests on circulating materials, charges and discharges books, processes requests received, renews books, etc.
• Issues Community and Indigenous Borrower Cards and sells copy cards.Retrieves and re-shelves materials as required.
• Directs users to resources such as research guides, databases by subject, and subject librarians. Assists users who require help to access and use the library catalogue, databases, and e-resources, as well as reference management software.
• Fulfills ILL/DocDel requests.
• Creates and maintains daily desk schedule so that there is consistently a welcoming presence at the front desk.
• Serves on the Local Health and Safety Committee and as a fire warden.

Student Supervision:

• Recruits, trains, schedules, and supervises the daily work of 3-4 Xwi7xwa Library Hosts. Xwi7xwa Library hosts are undergraduate student staff who provide circulation and directional support at the front desk, reshelve library materials, and assist with branch closing procedures.

Collections:

• Performs library catalogue maintenance by verifying, updating, or withdrawing catalogue holdings or item records in accordance with the established guidelines. For serials, follows NISO Standards when changing/correcting/modifying records. Must be familiar with MARC record fields in order to correctly identify and request added information by Technical Services cataloguers.
• Corrects holdings and item records in the library catalogue where possible. This includes investigating, interpreting and analyzing problem records as well as communicating with Technical Services staff to clarify record holdings. Informs Technical Services cataloguers of discrepancies and inaccuracies in online bibliographic records.
• Under the direction of Xwi7xwa Librarians carries out collection management projects (e.g. collection moves), including establishing priorities and schedules, and developing procedures. Makes appropriate changes regarding designation of materials when moving within branch or to another location. Produces specific location labels for various in-house locations, such as reference, storage, etc., as required. Prepares deselected material for Better World Books or discard.
• Manages Xwi7xwa storage areas, monitors office supplies, and orders supplies as required.
• Performs other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the job.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Follows library policies and procedures, understanding that adjustments/accommodations may be appropriate in some circumstances.

Cash and credit card reconciliation/POS transactions: Mistakes in accuracy could result in financial discrepancies, which has implications for both the division and the university.

For reference services, uses independent judgement in selecting and interpreting information, determining the resources required. Providing incorrect or incomplete information may negatively affect researchers work and students ability to complete assignments on time and damage the Librarys reputation.

Errors in modifying catalogue records could lead to incorrect holdings displays, misleading library users.

Models respect for and acceptance of diverse perspectives and backgrounds. The ability to do so fosters a healthy environment where staff morale is positively affected, and library patrons feel welcome and supported.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Indigenous Programs & Services Librarian. Works under the direction of librarians on collections projects and issues. Performance reviews conducted the Indigenous Programs & Services Librarian.

Supervision Given

Formally trains new staff and students on work procedures related to Xwi7xwa Library collection maintenance and circulation. Oversees student work.

Minimum Qualifications

High School graduation, plus two year Library Technician diploma, plus four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of library policies, procedures, and circulation services. Ability to interpret and apply library policies with consistency. Experience with reference services an asset. Familiarity with cataloguing and library collections. Ability to type 40 w.p.m. and to operate the normal range of library equipment. Demonstrated ability in word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications at an intermediate level. Ability to plan projects and to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to provide quality public service to a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner. Ability to exercise tact and discretion. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Ability to work a five day week, and be present in the branch from 9am to 5pm.

Efficient and courteous information and reference service, ability to work harmoniously with library staff, and to deal effectively with the public in a great variety of situations. Tactful and timely enforcement of library policies. Maintain expert knowledge of library systems and procedures. Maintain knowledge of relevant databases and other resources. Effective use of electronic and print information in a wide variety of subjects. Effective training and supervision of students. Ability to work independently. Ability to exercise independent judgement. Effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Accuracy and efficiency in all duties.

University of British Columbia