Library Specialist - Carruthers Center

Northeastern Illinois University • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Library Specialist works at Northeastern Illinois University’s Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) Library in Bronzeville, Chicago. The branch library holds significant social sciences and humanities collections, particularly materials documenting and presenting the African and African-American experience. The position supports day-to-day library operations and helps ensure continued service and access during library hours, primarily when other library administrators, faculty, and staff are absent. It requires providing high-quality public service to a diverse community of library users.

The role independently provides in-person and online reference services, supports circulation operations, assists patrons with library technology, and monitors library technology and spaces. The position is based in the office and is not eligible for hybrid or remote work. Scheduled hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours may vary with departmental needs. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer. Visa sponsorship is unavailable, and the position requires a background check. The listed salary is $22.63 per hour. University employees may be eligible for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A total of two years (24 months) from a combination of library or equivalent-setting work experience and college coursework. Coursework is counted according to the posting’s conversion table: 30 semester hours equals 12 months; an associate degree (60 semester hours) equals 18 months; 90 semester hours equals 24 months; and a bachelor’s degree (120 semester hours) equals 36 months.
• Legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States; the position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• Successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency with the Library of Congress Classification System.
• Experience with specialized library circulation management systems and software, such as Alma/Primo or WorldCat.
• Experience with academic database platforms, such as EBSCO or ProQuest.
• Ability to guide patrons in developing research skills, including formulating research questions or methodology, selecting keywords, creating effective searches, retrieving information, citing sources, and avoiding plagiarism.

Responsibilities

• Independently provide in-person and online reference services, including responding to complex queries and conducting advanced reference interviews.
• Provide formal or informal instruction in using bibliographic tools, including catalogs, directories, indexes, digital repositories, and reference works.
• Guide patrons in formulating research questions, choosing keywords, developing search strategies, retrieving relevant information, citing sources, and avoiding plagiarism.
• Independently perform circulation desk operations, resolve patron circulation problems, and administer and interpret circulation policies and procedures.
• Check in and check out materials; shelve and retrieve resources; process and receive interlibrary loan requests; and coordinate with circulation staff at other locations to resolve issues.
• Assist patrons with software, hardware, and equipment in the library.
• Regularly audit public and library computers, troubleshoot problems, and report or escalate issues to the Library IT Technical Associate and/or UTS.
• Monitor copier equipment, request toner and paper, and report equipment issues.
• Maintain welcoming, tidy, and organized library spaces; update bulletin and room reservation boards; and notify library or CCICS administration about facility or maintenance issues.
• Maintain collaborative communication with CCICS staff and administration about library services, operating hours, shared spaces, and operational changes affecting the library and CCICS.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for State of Illinois employee benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED