Library Specialist - Carruthers Center

About the role

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students.

Job Summary

This position is located at the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd., Chicago. This NEIU branch library includes significant holdings in the social sciences and the humanities, particularly as they document, relate, and present the African and African-American experience.

In this role you will assist in the day-to-day management of operations at the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) Library - located in Bronzeville (Chicago South Side) - ensuring continued access and operations during library hours, primarily in the absence of other Library administration, faculty, and staff. Must be able to provide high quality public service to a diverse community of library users.

About the role

Library Reference

• Independently provides reference services from the CCICS Library in both in-person and online modes of communication. Activities include analyzing and responding to complex queries, performing finding activities, such as conducting advanced reference interviews, and providing formal or informal instruction in the use of bibliographic tools, including print and online catalogs, directories, indexes, digital repositories, and standard reference works.
• Activities also include guiding patrons in formulating research questions, choosing appropriate keywords, creating effective search strategies, retrieving relevant information, citing sources, and avoiding plagiarism.

Circulation

• Independently performs tasks associated with the operations of the CCICS Library Circulation Desk. Tasks include complex circulation activities, such as working with library patrons to resolve and respond to circulation problems, and administering and interpreting circulation policies and procedures.
• Checks in and out materials; shelves and retrieves resources; processes and receives interlibrary loan requests; and communicates with circulation staff at other library locations to troubleshoot and resolve circulation issues.

Technology Assistance

• Assists library patrons in using software, hardware, and equipment in the CCICS Library.

Technology & Space Monitoring

• Performs regular audits of public and library computers, troubleshoots problems, and reports/escalates issues to the Library IT Technical Associate and/or UTS.
• Monitors copier equipment and requests toner/paper, reporting issues as needed.
• Creates a welcoming environment by updating information on bulletin and room reservation boards, maintaining tidy and organized spaces, and notifying library and/or CCICS administration of facility/maintenance issues.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with CCICS staff and administration to ensure clear and consistent communication about library services, hours of operation, shared use of space, and any operational changes that impact both the library and CCICS.

Related Duties

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimal Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:

• A. work experience in a library or equivalent setting.
• B. college course work in any field as measured by the following conversion table

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

Departmental Preferences

• Proficiency with the Library of Congress Classification System (LC), specialized library circulation management systems and software, such as Alma/Primo or WorldCat, and academic database platforms, such as EBSCO or ProQuest.
• Ability to guide library patrons in developing research skills such as formulating a research question or methodology, choosing appropriate keywords, creating effective search strategies, retrieving relevant information, citing sources, and avoiding plagiarism.

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10am - 6pm, Friday, 9am-5pm (Hours may vary depending on departmental needs).

• Location: Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS) Library located in Bronzeville at 700 E.
• Oakwood Blvd.
• (Chicago, South Side)

• Setting: In-office, not eligible for hybrid or remote work.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States. This position is not eligible for sponsorship of work visas.
• This position requires a background check.

Benefits

University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit our Employee Benefits page to learn more about our comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.