Library Services Specialist - Patron Placed Holds

The Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery promotes intellectual growth and creativity by developing high quality collections, facilitating access to information resources, and furthering innovative teaching and learning. In support of the University's mission, our Library is dedicated to diversity, social responsibility, and lifelong learning.

For more information visit: https://library.umbc.edu/

The Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery’s Circulation department is seeking a detail-oriented individual to  provide high-quality customer service to Library users. 

Under the supervision of the Library Services Supervisor - Evening, the Library Services Specialist - Patron Placed Holds coordinates processing and routing of requested materials to and from patrons of UMBC and other USMAI campuses .

This is a full time position with a schedule of Sunday through Thursday 2:00pm to 10:30pm in the fall and spring semesters. The work schedule is Sunday 11:00am to 7:30pm and Monday through Thursday 12:00pm to 8:30pm during the winter and summer sessions. Scheduled hours are subject to change based on changes in Library hours, staffing needs, or necessity of  monitoring the building during university events held outside of regular library hours.

UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $23.08 per hour and has 14 days of vacation as well as winter break, spring break, and personal days for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available. 

What is it like to work at UMBC?  Check out Glassdoor or Indeed.
For 16 years in a row UMBC has been recognized as a Great College to Work For!

A telework schedule is not available for this position.

This position works collaboratively with the Circulation & Digital Media Lab staff, supervisors, and library student  assistants to provide engagement opportunities and daily customer service to the UMBC community. Main  responsibilities include: 

• Provides direction to staff and student assistants for Patron Placed Holds (PPH) tasks and projects. Specifically, ensures holds are retrieved, tracked, and routed accurately and on time and provides or supports training to new staff and student assistants on PPH processes.

• Detects and resolves problems related to PPH.

• Keeps and reports statistics on PPH as requested.

• Serves as liaison to Baltimore Regional Expedited Interlibrary Loan group and as contact person to all USMAI campuses for PPH issues.

• Coordinates with Digital Media Lab supervisor and Equipment Lending Specialist as needed regarding  equipment holds.

• Coordinates with Integrated Library System Configuration Specialist as needed regarding holds policy configuration.

• Coordinates with Collection Maintenance Specialist as needed regarding collection issues related to holds. 

• Provides direction to UMBC and community patrons on accessing and using Library & Gallery services and resources, including the library catalog, printers, scanners, and other electronic devices.

• Works assigned shifts at the DML and Circulation desk, providing support, excellent customer  service, and high-quality circulation and referral services. 

• Opens and closes the Library & Gallery, including the Digital Media Lab.

•  Participates in cross-departmental and consortial projects, committee, and task groups as  appropriate, and regularly participates in professional development activities

• Bachelor’s Degree (or related experience at the substitution rate of 30 college credits to one year of experience)   

• One year of experience directly related to the primary duties of the position

Note: Additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 college credits being equivalent to one year of experience.

• Ability to work independently and exercise initiative in applying rules, procedures, and instructions

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communications skills

• Demonstrated ability to understand and apply basic principles of quality customer service, teamwork, and conflict resolution

• Demonstrated skill in analytical and problem solving

• Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with users and staff, internal and external stakeholders, and to provide guidance and instruction to student assistants

• Demonstrated ability to learn and operate common computing and productivity applications (e.g., word processing, databases and spreadsheets, web browsers, email and electronic calendars)

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and provide basic technical assistance to patrons regarding printing, laptops, etc.

• One year of library circulation experience

• One year of experience coordinating tasks and shared work

• One year of experience creating, revising, and updating workflow documentation

• One year of experience addressing building and security issues

• Demonstrated skill in motivating and training student employees

A background check will be required.

Upload a cover letter and resume

UMBC offers a rich benefits package including the following for nonexempt regular employees.

Generous Leave which includes accruing the following for full time positions:

• 14 Days of Annual Leave  (increases with years of service)
• 15 Days of Sick Leave  
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement/Pension plan
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Pay Range 10 (min. $23.08 per hour / max. $30.57 per hour) based on the University System of Maryland (USM) Pay Program.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, Memorandum of Understanding, USM Board of Regent policies, internal equity, budget and qualifications and experience. Most salary offers will be close to the minimum part of the range.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.