Resource Sharing Specialist

Type: Full-Time Posted: 10/25/2024 Category: Libraries Job Number: R0004903Job Description Department: Public Services - Staff

Job Summary: The work of the Public Services team relies heavily on the ability to cultivate both internal and external relationships. With primary responsibility for statewide resource sharing within the Public Services team, this position plays a pivotal role in fulfilling that need. The resource sharing specialist is responsible for local resource sharing through oversight and management of requests for materials through local CBB (Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin) consortia and MaineCat (statewide resource sharing). The Resource Sharing Specialist also contributes to the daily monitoring of the libraries' stacks, to include shared oversight of student workers, regular maintenance, and consistent collaboration with the Public Services Coordinator. In their capacity as Resource Sharing Specialist, this position will strengthen relationships with external colleagues at Bates, Bowdoin, and participating libraries throughout the state, while also working closely with their Public Services colleagues to ensure a cohesive service experience throughout Colby Libraries.

To Apply: Please submit both a resume AND cover letter.

Schedule The schedule for this position during the academic year (September through May) is Sunday - Thursday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.. During breaks from the normal academic schedule (for holidays and institutional breaks), the schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Essential Functions

To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily as well as possess education/experience, employ the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in representative fashion. Colby College actively supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This listing of essential duties is not all-inclusive, but representative; other duties may be assigned.General

• Oversees the general operations of all statewide resource sharing, CBB and MaineCat, borrowing and lending functions, including the daily printing of requests, and accurate distribution and tracking of library materials.
• Trains staff to assist with processing materials; printing notices, pulling materials, and logistics.
• Coordinates shipping and receiving of daily requests; interacts with courier drivers and communicates (as needed) with the courier vendor.
• Interacts with patrons regarding statewide resource sharing loan policies, including loan periods and requests for renewals.
• Hires, trains, evaluates, monitors, and schedules library student assistants, in collaboration with the Public Services Coordinator, and the libraries' staff supervisor group.
• Participates in training for student workers with the staff supervisor group.
• Participates in regular staffing at all service points; may include some nights/weekends.
• Answers general questions regarding the use of libraries' physical and digital resources, facilities, and assists patrons with the use of library equipment.Communication
• Maintains regular communication with library staff at CBB and MaineCat libraries, and promptly resolves any issues or concerns.
• Exercises judgment on billing for replacement of lost materials. Communicates with CBB and MaineCat library staff regarding the accurate billing and reimbursement for lost materials.
• Relays any MaineCat system errors/issues to the Maine State Library.
• Maintains regular contact with the Maine delivery service provider (STAT Courier); follows up on any discrepancies.
• Maintains timely communication with student assistants, and student supervisors.Statistics and Reporting
• Monitors resource sharing queues daily; mitigates issues with requests, and communicates with internal and external partners as needed.
• Compiles annual statistics for reporting for IPEDS for statewide resource sharing, CBB and MaineCat, in collaboration with the Associate Director and Head of Public Services.
• Provides annual narrative assessments, including statistics for statewide resource sharing.
• Creates, assesses, and improves (as needed) processes for collecting statistics.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma required
• Time management skills - ability to independently set goals and priorities
• Ability to adapt to change and handle multiple priorities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to assess workflows, and provide solutions where needed
• Strong organizational skills, accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of experience in resource sharing or related library servicesPhysical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to employee/student data, documents, issues, etc., and respect privacy needs of employees/students with regard to the same.
• The ability to comply with highly inflexible deadlines is required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; there will be multiple occurrences of sudden, urgent task completion required.
• There may be occurrences of employees, past employees, members of the general public, and others who express opinions, may exhibit strong emotions, which will require the employee to interact professionally, diplomatically, and appropriately in such situations.
• While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to move around the office space as well as within hallways, meeting rooms, and other parts of the campus facilities.
• There may be multiple/daily instances of prolonged personal computer use which would include keyboard and/or mouse usage as well as viewing a computer monitor.
• An employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds to perform essential position functions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• The overall work environment requires the mental ability to shift focus quickly due to interruptions; an employee must be able to mentally track multiple projects and tasks as well.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, there may be unexpected instances of somewhat loud sounds.
• This position may require occasional evening and weekend work.
• This job description can be tailored further based on the specific needs and goals of the college library.

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual's qualifications to contribute to Colby's educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or veteran’s status in employment or in our educational programs. Colby is an Equal Opportunity employer, committed to excellence through diversity, and encourages applications from qualified persons of color, women, persons with disabilities, military veterans and members of other under-represented groups. Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution’s education programs and activities. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby’s Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights.

For more information about the College, please visit our website: www.colby.edu.