Central Inventory Specialist

Posted: 2/27/2026

Position Summary

An employee serving in this position advances the mission of the Library by providing support in Library Collections departments, with a day-to-day focus on facilitating the work processes in Central Inventory and assisting Materials Selection.

Duties and Responsibilities

Selection/Inventory/Collection

1. Performs duties to assist in a variety of tasks regarding the materials collection of the library including, inventory management, stock rotation, merchandising, book club support, retention and deselection of materials, subject/title balancing, and branch support.

2. Assists in Materials Selection function by selecting materials for the various Library collections based on demand, interest, and other criteria as assigned.

3. Assists in checking in delivery materials for Main Library, with material cleaning tasks and assignment to the SearchOhio processing desk.

4. Serves as back-up to other Library Collections staff and assists with work processes and projects across the department, including cataloging and technical services, as needed.

5. Creates Educator Units as needed.

6. Assists in shelving-related projects across the system.

7. Acts as resource for public services managers and librarians regarding complex collection issues.

Circulation

1. Performs all direct patron circulation functions.

2. Implements record maintenance tasks as needed.

3. Uses understanding of ILS Circulation Module to help troubleshoot ILS issues as needed.

4. May troubleshoot and resolve complex patron account issues, in consultation with appropriate public services manager, as needed.

Other

1. May assist with training of staff members.

2. Serves on library committees as needed.

3. Other duties as required.

Core Competencies

• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Interpersonal Skills
• Situational Adaptability

Technical / Functional Skills

• Ability to troubleshoot and work through complex problems independently is required.
• Intermediate or higher proficiency in MS Office [Outlook, Excel, Word] or similar software is required.
• Proven knowledge of principles, practices, methods, and materials of public libraries is preferred.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of library materials selection is preferred.
• High level proficiency using Integrated Library System is preferred.

Education and Experience

• Education: High School diploma or GED equivalency is required. Bachelor’s degree is preferred.
• Years of relevant experience: 5 to 7 years is preferred.
• Experience with front-line merchandising preferred.
• Experience organizing and facilitating book clubs preferred.
• Experience working in library collection development and/or technical services is preferred.
• Experience in public library or public-sector organizations is preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• The library environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices, which includes the need for general safe workplace practices with office equipment and computers, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
• This position is performed in an office setting although some off-site meetings in various settings occur.
• Work is generally completed on weekdays and during traditional office hours (e.g., 8am-5pm). There will be the occasional need to attend meetings or events and/or respond to critical situations outside of this schedule, including before or after normal Library days and hours of operation.
• Work requires the ability to lift light to medium weight objects (less than 40 pounds) and carry them short distances (20 feet or less).
• Work requires the ability to push a fully loaded book cart (typically weighing at least 20lbs or more) for distances of at least 120 feet.
• This position may require an employee to remain in a seated or standing position for extended periods of time while performing a variety of tasks.
• Employees must be able to perform repetitive hand, arm, and body movements, including typing and/or lifting books, on a continuous basis, up to eight hours per day.
• Work may require repetitively reaching overhead and bending/kneeling to sort and shelve books weighing up to three pounds.
• Some travel by personal automobile and a valid State of Ohio driver’s license along with the ability to maintain a driving record that is satisfactory to the Library’s liability insurance carrier may be required. Occasional overnight travel may also be required.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by an individual working in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.