Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Senior Library Assistant, Circulation & Reserves to join Fleet Library. Fleet Library at RISD is a place for inquiry and inspiration, occupying the first and second floors of 15 Westminster Street. With over 100,000 books and periodicals, institutional archives, special collections, artists' books, material samples and picture collection, there is much to explore on site. Fleet Library also provides the RISD community with access to a wide range of digital resources, along with professional expertise to help navigate both online and physical resources for classroom instruction, individual research support and creative work.

The Senior Library Assistant, Circulation & Reserves is responsible for processing and managing library course reserve materials. Ensures the smooth and efficient operation of the Circulation/Reserve Desk. Accounts for all search/hold requests and manage the hold shelf. Assists and guides all library users with a wide variety of library reserve and access needs. Serves as a central point of contact for a variety of routine and non-routine library questions. Supervises and train student assistants. Opens and closes the library as scheduled.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Includes evening hours, see schedule below.

Essential Functions:

• Process and manage both physical and digital course reserves. Communicate with faculty regarding reserve requests, timelines and procedures. Identify, locate, request and/or recall items needed for courses. Update electronic records in library software and maintain e-reserves web portal, including uploading electronic course readings. Ensure awareness of and adherence to relevant copyright laws. Scan print materials to digital formats, ensuring text accessibility. Track, maintain, and run standard and ad hoc reports on reserve material usage, both physical and online.

• Oversee the Circulation/Reserve Desk. Serve as a central point of contact on a wide variety of customer service issues related to library materials, circulation, and access. Answer telephone and email inquiries and respond to informational requests; aid users of the library and refer patrons to appropriate staff as needed. Check out, check in and renew library materials.

• Manage the library hold shelf, placing items on hold for patrons and periodically clearing unclaimed holds. Process and track hold requests, search requests, and claims returned forms. Search for missing items, keeping patrons and supervisor informed of item status. Maintain statistical data related to holds and missing items.

• Provide on-site support and guidance for student employees; assign shelving, shelf reading, and other tasks as needed; assist with training and supervision. Serve as backup supervisor when primary student supervisor is away during evening hours, Sundays and Mondays.

• Ensure library equipment is ready for operation. Open and close library as scheduled; monitor library spaces; notify supervisor of needed maintenance/repairs and Public Safety department of any security/safety issues.

Additional Functions:

• Understand and be familiar with library policies and procedures; ensure that policies are carried out; and make recommendations for modifications to supervisor.

• Carry out related assignments as requested by supervisor.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• Minimum of three years of experience in customer service required, preferably in a college or library setting.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Competency with scanners, PDF file formats, and basic understanding of text recognition technology and text accessibility.

• Basic computer skills, attention to detail, basic analytical skills and ability to work with multiple diverse populations in an artistic setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with library management systems, Sierra preferred.

• Experience managing physical and digital course reserves and Springshare software suite, particularly its E-Reserves module.

• Basic understanding of U.S. copyright law and how it impacts library services.

• Library shelving and shelf reading experience.

• Supervisory or other experience leading/mentoring/guiding (other staff and/or student employees).

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Fall, winter, spring schedule: Sunday - Thursday 2:00pm-10:00pm

Summer schedule: Monday - Friday 10:00am-6:00pm

Employment Status:

Full-time; Non-exempt; Regular

Grade:

825NE

Work Modality

On-campus

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.