Resource Sharing Assistant

Department Overview

Minitex is a publicly supported network of academic, public, school and special libraries in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota that work cooperatively to enhance the libraries' services to their patron communities. Minitex's suite of services promote effective delivery of needed information, partnerships, and sharing library resources including collections and electronic resources. Minitex pursues technological innovations to provide new opportunities for delivery of services. A program of the Office of Higher Education, Minitex operates as a division of the University Libraries, based at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus.

Service Area Overview

Resource Sharing is a service area in which Minitex participants submit requests for returnable and nonreturnable materials to the Minitex central office located at the University of Minnesota Libraries - Twin Cities. Staff use physical and electronic resources from the University Libraries, as well as from libraries in the Minitex region, to fill requests. Staff participate in outreach to interlibrary loan staff at libraries in the Minitex region to provide leadership, expertise, and instruction for resource sharing functions. Resource Sharing staff continuously adapt workflow to incorporate new and emerging technology to ensure quick and accurate service.

Position Overview

This position is in the Resource Sharing Area. This position is responsible for MNLINK typing, retrieval at Hennepin County Library and providing electronic delivery services. This position in the Resource Sharing Area maintains and promotes a high standard of service to users in the Minitex region. This position is fully on-site to start and then may transition to 3-4 days on site depending on the needs of the department.

Responsibilities

Verification, identification of locations and typing referral requests to off-campus libraries on the MNLINK Interlibrary Loan system. 35%

• Create and add additional bibliographic options for interlibrary loan requests to Minitex libraries using MNLINK Interlibrary loan software through the Mira request management program.
• Update requests in the Mira request management program when typed or reported as unavailable.
• Manage the MNLINK typing procedures documentation to keep up to date.
• Handle requests identified as Locally Owned, by contacting the requesting library for guidance.
• Processes requests in the Mira MNLINK referral review queue.
• Screen, interview, hire, train students to type requests for MNLINK typing in Mira. Assess student progress. Coordinate scheduling of students as needed according to workflow. Keep students informed of changes in procedures.

Coordinate the daily operations of processing Minitex interlibrary loan requests at the Hennepin County Library-Minneapolis Central & Campus libraries in general. 30%

• Monitor daily workflow at Minneapolis Central Library to meet Minitex standards of timeliness and accuracy.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of library resources, including scope of collections, records, and circulation policies.
• Search HCO Catalog, OCLC or other appropriate bibliographic tools to verify requests, identify holding locations and maintain workflow standards.
• Manage HCO verified requests in Mira and updating or reporting as appropriate. Determine appropriate handling of unverified or problem requests.
• Search online and print indexes to make citation corrections on requests.
• Retrieve, photocopy, and check out library materials on a daily basis and/or in absence of students to maintain work timeliness and quality standards.
• Identify libraries with recurring citation, verification, location, or format errors and notify supervisor.
• Work at various University of Minnesota campus libraries as needed, to process requests.
• Work with other Minitex staff members on requests with problem citations when appropriate.

Oversee the daily operation of Minitex electronic delivery services 25%

• Schedule and oversee electronic delivery request scanning and request processing, including updating on appropriate ILL systems.
• Develop and clarify electronic delivery procedures for Minitex staff, the staff of participating libraries, and end users. Maintain and update processing information on the Electronic Delivery Google Site.
• Troubleshoot problems occurring with Electronic Delivery transmissions and receipts. Work with Minitex staff, patrons, and staff at participating libraries to ensure proper delivery and quality of articles. Resolve issues and report recurring problems to the area lead worker.
• Work with Minitex IT staff to ensure that equipment and software are operating properly. Contribute workflow suggestions that assist the programmer in developing Mira software enhancements.
• Maintain electronic delivery email addresses and set delivery methods.
• Monitor and maintain the scanning workstations and copier/scanner in the Minitex office, initiate service calls when necessary.
• Handle special requests, including contacting staff at campus locations when necessary to meet customer deadlines.
• Search MnCAT, OCLC, or other appropriate bibliographic tools to verify requests, identify holding locations, and maintain workflow standards.
• Process documents that need to be sent through the mail.

Enhance the overall effectiveness of Resource Sharing and Minitex services. 10%

• Participate actively and positively in meetings that involve the Resource Sharing staff or the entire Minitex staff.
• Establish & maintain positive relationships with co-workers in Resource Sharing, University Library staff, Minitex staff, and Minitex participants.
• Attend workshops and conferences as appropriate, share information learned with other Minitex staff using appropriate communication methods.
• Work closely with managers and co-workers in Resource Sharing to ensure a high level of efficiency and quality of processes. Assist other Library Assistants when appropriate.
• Work with various groups and task teams that focus on office-wide or organizational concerns, as appropriate.
• Complete all absences and time reporting on MyU by payroll deadlines.
• Assist the delivery department with tasks such as offloading the conveyor, moving and unpacking tubs, sorting incoming and outgoing materials.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required:

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Attention to detail in an environment with repetitive tasks.
• Ability to work independently or collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong commitment to providing excellent customer service.
• Two years of college coursework and/or relevant library experience.

Preferred:

• Experience with library classification systems.
• Experience with library catalog records.

Physical Requirements (if applicable)

• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to regularly move up to 25 pounds (from floor to shoulder height).
• Position requires bending, reaching and stooping.
• Occasionally push, pull, and maneuver large heavy book trucks;
• Occasionally load and unload materials from book trucks and shelve materials on 7-shelf shelving units, including reaching overhead and maintaining balance.

Pay Range: $22.79 - $27.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% (40 hours/week)

Position Type: Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please attach the following documents in Word or PDF Format (DO NOT copy and paste.)

• Resume.
• Optional cover letter.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).