Materials Processing Specialist

Job Details • Pomona, CA

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Collections, Acquisitions, and Resource Discovery Services (CARDS) unit is the backstage hub of the University Library, responsible for acquiring, accessing, maintaining, preserving, and ensuring the discoverability of all the Library's print and electronic collections to support the campus community's information, teaching, and research needs. The CARDS Unit comprises three subunits: Electronic Resources Management; Acquisitions and Materials; and Metadata Management. Collectively, the CARDS Unit handles catalog maintenance, bibliographic description, subject analysis, collection management and development, purchasing, receiving, processing, reviewing, troubleshooting, maintaining, repairing, and researching physical and electronic materials in all formats, donation processing, and statistics gathering, reporting, analysis, and visualization. The CARDS unit also houses the Repair, Processing, and Items Restoration Lab (REPAIR Lab), which is part of the Library's Signature Polytechnic Experience (PolyX) program.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree - Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge and abilities will be considered.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in library technical services, acquisitions, cataloging, materials processing, preservation, or related library operations in an academic, research, or special collections environment.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to interpret overall library policies and procedures and an in-depth knowledge of library operations, policies and procedures pertaining to assigned functional area, including a solid understanding of individual work functions and the ability to adapt work procedures.
• Working knowledge of library collection and its organization, as well as classification schemes.
• Demonstrated expertise in creating and correcting bibliographic records.
• Thorough knowledge of external on-line databases, systems, and resources, including the ability to perform complex on-line searches.
• Thorough knowledge of institution’s and library’s policies and practices associated with the ethical use of and access to library and on-line resources.
• Working knowledge of national standards pertaining to library operations, including a thorough knowledge of institutional standards pertaining to copyright and intellectual property protection and the ability to interpret and apply them, as well as explain them to patrons, to ensure compliance.
• Demonstrated expertise in using library automated system(s), especially subsystem(s) pertaining to the functional area, including database maintenance.
• Ability to investigate and research more complex problems, including analyzing and interpreting information.
• Working knowledge of library accounting and budget procedures and allocation processes, and ability to apply this knowledge to assist in handling vendor accounts and the budget process.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to be able to prepare internal library reports and written and visual presentations on library resources and present them to library patrons, including students.
• Strong communication and interpretive skills to be able to interview patrons regarding their information needs and guide them in the use of more complex library and on-line resources.
• Thorough knowledge of all aspects of lead work direction including assisting in employee selection, training employees in new work procedures, assigning work, organizing work flow and establishing priorities, reviewing work, providing input to performance evaluations and promoting teamwork to optimize effectiveness.
• Working knowledge of campus human resource practices and payroll procedures.
• Strong organizational skills to oversee and lead work flow in assigned area.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Library Science, Information Science, History, Archives, Humanities, or related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of processing and/or repair of physical materials for libraries.
• Working knowledge of copy cataloging.
• Familiarity with Alma and/or other integrated library systems.
• Familiarity with Alma Analytics and/or analytical tools and software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and/or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities for self and others, to meet deadlines, and complete tasks and projects on time and within budget, and work with minimal supervision and/or in collaboration with colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Assist in CARDS tasks according to changing workflows and departmental priorities, with an emphasis on Acquisitions and Materials (A&M) subunit tasks including physical receiving, repair, and processing; physical inventory and maintenance; and other Acquisitions and Materials projects.
• May also assist with copy cataloging.
• Maintain a particular focus on the Carleton F. Burke Memorial Collection.
• Handle assessment and evaluation of the condition of donated and purchased materials.
• Create customized damage remediation task lists.
• Work in the Repair, Processing, and Items Restoration Lab (REPAIR Lab) to perform all variations of monographic, multimedia, and physical serials/periodicals resources repair and end-processing tasks, including assorted label creation or modification and printing, barcoding, and applying appropriate security and property identifiers.
• Draft operational procedures as needed related to physical materials receiving, processing, damage remediation, and repair.
• Recommend and train students and staff in best practices to ensure quality control of all aspects of physical material workflows, with a particular focus on the Carleton F. Burke Memorial Collection.
• May be responsible for coordinating the work of student assistants assigned to the REPAIR Lab and the Carleton F. Burke Memorial Collection work area.
• Upon receiving library physical materials, verify the accuracy of materials in-hand against bibliographic and holdings records.
• Troubleshoot item record inconsistencies.
• Perform duplicate or overlap title checks prior to accession to assist with and participate in catalog cleanup and collection maintenance of physical monographs, serials, and periodicals.
• Perform copy cataloging for physical monographs, serials, and periodicals bibliographic records imported into Alma and the Library's catalog.
• Assist with managing physical monographs and serials/periodicals, including creating, editing, maintaining, and updating holding records in OCLC.
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve issues related to bibliographic records, control, and access in consultation with the Acquisitions, Materials Management, and Student Coordinator, Resource Management Coordinator, and Head of CARDS.
• Assist with short- and long-term projects for physical materials, particularly those involving collection maintenance and library display management of the Carleton F. Burke Memorial Collection.
• Resolve physical materials-related problems that arise.
• Report problems to the Acquisitions, Materials Management, and Student Coordinator and collaborate on resolution as needed.
• Review, receive, and process monographic donations.
• Communicate and meet with donors as necessary.
• Perform processing of physical items transferring to Special Collections and Archives per their archival processing standards, including barcoded flags and pen-calling.
• Assist in assessing, collecting, and formulating REPAIR Lab supply requests for review by the Acquisitions, Materials Management, and Student Coordinator.
• Maintain current knowledge of evolving trends and best practices related to technical services by participating in paraprofessional organizations, meetings, reading e-mail list discussions, attending workshops, and activities.
• Attend team, department, and library staff meetings and professional development activities as assigned or required to meet departmental goals and objectives.
• Keep abreast of new information and/or developments in cataloging, book processing, ordering and receiving, and policies concerning student assistants through meetings and workshops.
• Perform other technical services duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The California State University (CSU) system provides access to a quality education.
• Background check process.
• Compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209, other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy.
• Priority referral of protected veterans.
• Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.
• Equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment.
• Compliance with the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level