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  • Head of Access Services

    Northern Illinois University Libraries

  • Library/Organization Address

    Founders Library
    DeKalb, Illinois 60115
  • Employment Type

    Full-time

  • Hourly Wage/Salary Range

    $55,000 - $60,000

  • About the Organization

  • Job Description and Responsibilities

    The Head of Access Services generally oversees the Circulation Services, Information Delivery Services (which includes Billing), and Reserves units, which together, represent 3 of the 4 major public services units that patrons interact with on a regular basis. These units control the flow of materials to and from our library/our patrons, as well as to/from other libraries / their patrons. This position is critical for monitoring and directing operational accuracy and efficiency. This position also provides key data and reports necessary to inform collection decisions and strategic initiatives and for use in annual reports for the university, for ACRL, for CARLI, etc.

    Departmental Administration, Tools, and Services

    Leads by example and plays a key role in maintaining excellent patron service, including covering service points and performing daily operational tasks within units as needed.
    Serves as an Alma Fulfillment administrator.
    Gathers, analyzes, interprets, and reports statistical and qualitative information about departmental services.
    Serves as a key contact to other units within the library, on campus, and to CARLI, OCLC, and other institutions/agencies on all matters related to the primary functions of the department.
    Has or acquires working knowledge of resources used in the department including the ILS, interlibrary loan management / document delivery systems, consortially-used systems, library catalogs, databases, library electronic resources, and Internet resources. In collaboration with key staff, may instruct internal or external stakeholders on the use of such resources.
    Has or acquires familiarity with copyright issues in academic libraries in relation to interlibrary loan and e-Reserves.
    Serves as the key liaison and facilitates communication between the User Services department and other departments within the Libraries, as well as with NIU’s patron community. Handles faculty patrons’ User Services-related concerns, problems, and correspondence.
    Communicates with all patrons regarding the approval of replacement books. Authorizes appropriate replacement items and facilitates replacement process.
    Personnel Management and Supervision

    Establishes departmental and supervisees’ goals, objectives, and key performance indicators.
    In collaboration with the Associate Dean and key staff, writes, reviews, interprets, and/or updates policies and procedures for all units of the department (Billing, Circulation, IDS/Mailroom, Reserves, and Stacks Maintenance) as necessary. Promotes patron satisfaction through communication and education about departmental policies, procedures, and services.
    Hires, trains, and supervises 2 FTE employees including interviewing, hiring, time reporting, performance evaluations, training, and daily work operations.
    Proposes, monitors, and manages the department’s student employee budget in collaboration with the Associate Dean and LOAs.
    Promotes staff development.
    Perform Other Duties as Assigned

    Assumes other duties, participates in special projects, and serves on committees in the library and across the university as needed or assigned.
    Northern Illinois University (NIU) strives to improve outcomes for all students by identifying and removing barriers that disproportionately hinder the academic achievement and student experience of historically and currently underserved populations. Applicants of diverse and marginalized backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a commitment to developing core competencies for working with and serving diverse populations. The University Libraries at NIU recognizes and affirms the essential dignity of all people by honoring and celebrating diversity, fostering inclusion, and actively working toward equity and social justice for students, faculty, staff, and members of our broader community. We support NIU’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging and strive to build an anti-racist organization which acknowledges that libraries have engaged in the oppression of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as other traditionally marginalized populations, and endeavors to dismantle systems of oppression that uphold white supremacy, heteropatriarchy, and ableism. For more information, visit the University Libraries' Commitment to Diversity and Anti-Racism (http://go.niu.edu/ULdiversity).
  • Minimum Requirements to Apply

    Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited school of library and information science
    At least two years of experience within the previous five (5) years working in a library Access Services unit, including familiarity with integrated library systems (ILS)
    Supervisory experience supervising full-time employees.
    Multitasks and works independently and collaboratively to meet deadlines.
  • Benefits Offered

    Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Life insurance, Retirement plan, Paid time off, Other

    tuition remission

  • Position Start Date

  • How to Apply

    https://employment.niu.edu/postings/73476
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