Head of Access Services

Description

About the Library

 The University Library at The Chicago School functions as a digital-first entity serving students in all 50 states and internationally. Physical libraries are located on campuses in Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. The Los Angeles library has an extension location that serves the Anaheim campus. The library offers over 300 databases, 300,000 ebooks, and 20,000 print materials, including a unique circulating collection of psychological assessments.

Position Summary

Please note: The preferred schedule for this position is a shifted schedule, including regular weekend hours. The regular workweek of 37.5 hours begins on Tuesday and runs through Saturday, leaving Sunday and Monday as days off. Occasional changes to this schedule may substitute evening or "weekend" (Sunday-Monday) hours. This position is entirely in-person, with possible opportunities for remote work upon request.

The Chicago School seeks an energetic, innovative, service-oriented, and collaborative professional to serve as the Head of Access Services for the University Library. Reporting to the Associate Director of Resources & Discovery, this position manages the Access Services Department. Duties involve the day-to-day operations of the University Library at all locations, including circulation, reserves, Interlibrary Loan, stacks management, hours, and coordination with building operations staff. This position directly supervises the staff in the Access Services Department, which includes the Access Services Associates and library student employees at all library locations.

All librarians at The Chicago School are expected to present classroom instruction sessions as needed, as well as provide general research support through LibChat and the myLibrarian service that is used for research consultations.

 For full consideration, please upload cover letter, references, and curriculum vitae or resume as a single PDF document.

 Essential Functions

• Collections and stacks management: Manages circulating materials, including reserve materials, psychological assessments, and Interlibrary Loan materials. Oversees digitization processes at the Chicago library location.
• Leadership: Supervises, manages, and evaluates the staff and student employees of the Access Services Department. Leads The Chicago School's continuing adoption of Leganto for course reserve materials.
• Human resources: Coordinates hiring and training of Federal Work Study (FWS) student employees across multiple locations in cooperation with Access Services staff and local librarians. Maintains regular staffing of library desks at all locations.
• Customer service: Improves existing processes, develops new workflows as needed in Access Services, and writes corresponding documentation for use by all library staff. Oversees the collection and reporting of circulation, foot traffic, and satisfaction statistics for all library locations and makes appropriate recommendations for improvement. Fosters an environment of responsive, welcoming, and inclusive services and spaces, including agile responsiveness to unexpected situations.
• Operations: Manages day-to-day library operations at all physical library locations. Works with facilities at each location to meet library needs.
• Other library duties: Manages library policies in cooperation with the library's leadership team, including updating existing and developing new policies. Adopts regular hours for in-person, phone, and chat-based reference services. Provides general research support to students and faculty as needed, including maintaining availability for research consultations, especially on weekends. Depending on library needs, may present occasional classroom instruction.
• Professional development: Contributes to and learns from the profession through local, state, and national professional organizations, presentations, and publications. Identifies and integrates best practices in service, teaching and learning, and scholarly activity.
• Service to University: May participate in committees and task forces within the University Library, The Chicago School, and the profession. Maintains professional collaborations with other campus constituencies, consortium colleagues, and community organizations.

This list is meant to provide an overview of responsibilities but is not exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may be adapted based on the needs of The Chicago School and the University Library.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education and Experience (Required)

• ALA-accredited (or international equivalent) graduate degree in Library and/or Information Science.
• Minimum of 1-2 years working in a library or related institution.
• At least one year of supervisory experience.

Education and Experience (Preferred)

• Experience working in an academic library.
• Experience using Ex Libris Alma, Primo VE, Rapido, or Leganto.
• Experience supporting a psychology- or health sciences-focused program, ideally in a library position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors

• General knowledge of most aspects of Access Services.
• Critical thinking and willingness to critique and suggest improved policies, procedures, and workflows as part of a larger team.
• Knowledge of and willingness to adopt practices promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of the position.
• Commitment to creating accessible and inclusive library spaces and providing exemplary customer service to all library patrons.
• Strong collaborative skills, especially with colleagues and employees across multiple locations and time zones.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of Access Services and Interlibrary Loan.
• Supervisory experience in a library setting.
• Willingness, availability, and flexibility to work a combination of daytime, evening, night, and weekend hours.

Required Documents

Please submit the following as a single PDF document. Applications with missing components will not be considered.

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• A list of three professional references, including the following information: name, professional relationship, current phone number, and current email address.