Description

Library Specialist - Music & Performing Arts Library

Music and Performing Arts Library (MPAL)

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Job Summary (1020967)

Performs triage, rehousing, and in-house repairs of library materials digitizes audio and print materials for course use and patron requests maintains historic sheet music collection and other special collections; performs metadata entry and uploads in IDEALS for music and dance theses. Works an average of ten hours per week at MPAL's service desk.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reformatting, Digital Collection Processes, and Reserves

• Scans print materials (primarily from Special Collections) to meet patron requests.
• Creates digital files from CDs, cassettes, microfilms, and LPs for course or patron use.
• Tracks reformatting requests via LibInsights.
• Works with Digital Preservation as needed to facilitate larger requests through them; creates work orders in Alma as needed.
• Creates records for School of Music DMA theses and Dance Department masters’ theses in IDEALS repository, entering metadata and uploading files. Communicates with appropriate staff in those units and in Scholarly Communication and Publishing regarding problems or questions.
• Maintains archival copies of School of Music and Krannert Center recital/concert programs. Communicates with appropriate staff in those units regarding missing programs or other questions. Facilitates binding of programs annually. Adjust workflows as needed as these processes move into digital environments.
• Processes new materials into Special Collections sheet music collections by identifying and inputting appropriate bibliographic information into BibLeaves database. Assigns shelf numbers and access points.
• Serves as backup in adding physical course reserve materials to online reserve system.
• Creates and maintains documentation for related workflows.

Physical Collections Conservation and Processing

• Prepares media materials for the shelf, determining appropriate housing methods for A/V or mixed media materials; repackaging, adding security strips, and preparing special labels as needed.
• Evaluates preservation and repair needs of damaged materials from MPAL’s general and special collections.
• Sends materials needing significant repair or rehousing to Preservation via work order and maintains spreadsheet of items sent.
• Performs basic preservation tasks on print materials, including mending of books and scores, copying and tipping-in replacement pages and inserts, assembling loose leaves by tape stripping, and other in-house preservation work as needed.
• Maintains inventory and arrangement of preservation and rehousing supplies; submits orders as needed.
• Processes physical materials for the Special Collections sheet music collection and other special collections as needed by creating acid-free wrappers for each piece, creating labels, and organizing pieces in archival document boxes.
• Creates and maintains documentation for related workflows.

Public Service

• Works shifts at the MPAL service desk to perform public service activity including circulation of library materials, loanable technology items, course reserves, bookable spaces, and authorizes special permission loans.
• Pages items from closed stacks and the hold shelf as needed per patron request.
• Assists patrons with circulation transactions and renewals, I-Share and ILL requests, and questions regarding their library account.
• Understands, interprets, and communicates library policies and procedures to patrons (faculty/ instructors/ students) through email, phone, and in person.
• Offers directional as well as reference assistance in person as well as via phone.
• Assists patrons in finding and using MPAL’s physical and electronic collections and resources in the catalog and on the shelf.
• Makes appropriate referrals of patrons with intensive reference and instruction needs to subject specialists. Refers other problems (e.g., i-card issues, facilities issues, and fulfillment and billing questions) to unit, Library, or campus staff as appropriate.
• Troubleshoots printing, scanning and other technology questions, including microfilm readers/scanners, A/V equipment, loanable technology items, and wi-fi access.
• Shares in supervision of student assistants at circulation desk and provides direction on shelving activities or other projects if needed.
• Covers shifts as needed due to coworker absences.
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• Serves as backup for fulfillment duties (checking request queue and pulling items).

Collections and audio-visual equipment maintenance

• Maintains Special Collections area, including audiovisual, microfilm, and restricted access print materials. Reshelves items and shifts collections as needed.
• Carries out general collection reshelving as needed.
• Routinely assesses library A/V equipment to make sure it is in working order, including checking cables, turntable styli, speakers, tape decks, and disc players.
• Maintains inventory of A/V equipment in MPAL.

Other

• Participates in committees and attends meetings in unit, within Library, or in the University community to promote library or campus goals.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

 Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
3. Work experience in a library or equivalent setting.
4. 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)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with basic audio reformatting (specifically converting cassettes, CDs and LPs to digital).
• Experience differentiating types of printed music formats.
• Experience reading sheet music.
• Experience with music terminology.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Detailed knowledge of the integrated library system (Alma), specifically for circulation and material maintenance duties.
• A thorough working knowledge of library procedures and policies as they pertain to circulation and collection maintenance.
• A thorough understanding of library classification filing rules (DDC and LC).
• Facility using the library’s public online catalog and other research tools.
• Basic knowledge of audio-visual equipment to provide limited maintenance and assist patrons.
• Ability to troubleshoot public printing and scanning in the Library, including a digital microform reader.
• Knowledge of computer file systems (G and H drives) and software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Google Calendar.
• Organizational skills for maintaining records and statistics about work activities.
• Excellent public service, verbal, and written interpersonal skills to interact with a diverse community of coworkers and patrons.
• Initiative and good judgment for handling patron inquiries, student staff queries, and other work.
• Ability to work independently, to analyze and adapt to varied and changing operational situations is essential.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service Non-Exempt Library Specialist position, appointed on a permanent basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search.  Annual salary is $44,167.50.  

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Work Schedule: 9:30-5:30pm Monday-Friday; occasional evening or weekend hours may be required

Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (CST) on October 31, 2023.  Please create your candidate profile, upload a cover letter, resume, academic credentials (unofficial transcripts or copy of diploma may be acceptable) for all degrees attained, names and email addresses of three professional references by the close date. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal.