Library Assistant 5 - Freedman Center Coordinator

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $21.00 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working with occasional supervision, the Freedman Center Coordinator supports the programming, technology, and services of the Freedman Center for Digital Scholarship and the Knowledge and Creativity Commons in the Kelvin Smith Library to create a responsive, efficient, and welcoming environment for the academic and broader communities. The Freedman Center Coordinator has supervisory responsibilities for student assistants; trains staff and students across the library; manages digital resources; engages with research and consumer technologies; and takes responsibility of the Center and space in the absence of senior staff. The Freedman Center Coordinator also works closely with the Access and Resource Services department and is expected to regularly provide reference and circulation support at the library's Service Center and administer the Loanable Equipment program.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinate the Freedman Scholars student internship program, including serving as primary point of contact during afternoon and evening shifts, assisting with recruitment and hiring, scheduling, coordinating onboarding and training progress, approving hours, and otherwise supporting the successful administration of the program (25%)
• Create, coordinate, and maintain resources in support of Freedman Center spaces and technology, including LibGuides, website pages, handouts, instructional modules, and newsletters; serve on appropriate KSL committees in support of this work, such as the Web Committee (12%)
• Gather, clean, analyze, and visualize assessment data of the Center's space, technology, resources, and patron services in coordination with other departments in KSL; promote and assist in strategic decision-making that leverages this data (12%)
• Provide first-contact customer service at all physical and online service points within the Commons, including the Freedman Center, to include training and maintenance of equipment, knowledge of collections and access within the physical stacks and the online catalog, general reference assistance, circulation of materials, knowledge of the Freedman Center equipment, oversight of spaces, referrals, and directional assistance. Cover the desk and assist with closing procedures on Fridays from 5-8pm. May occasionally be asked to cover breaks and unexpected gaps in coverage for the ARS Team. (10%)
• Manage ongoing inventory of the loanable technology equipment collection. Liaise with the Access and Resources Services and Tech Services departments to build and implement staff and student training that ensures effective loan transactions. Create and confirm the ongoing maintenance of evolving user resources, policies, and training plans. Coordinate and implement a variety of ongoing training and learning activities. (10%)
• Liaise with the Head of Technology and Digital Strategies and [U]Tech to support maintenance of the lab and optimal function of IT-managed hardware and software (6%)
• Attend Access and Resource Services and Digital Scholarship department meetings, and other relevant collaborative meetings, to ensure effective communication, seamless workflows, and high-quality patron services across the Commons (6%)
• Coordinate with Administrative Services and other departments on campus to schedule events and other Center programming (6%)
• Maintain professional development and engagement, including service on committees and working groups and attending learning sessions, maintain awareness of current trends and developments in the field. (6%)
• Cultivates a work environment that promotes and maintains an environment and culture of empathy, collaboration, and respect (6%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties and projects as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with library staff in all Kelvin Smith Library teams to maintain workflow. (46-65%)

University: Frequent contact with faculty and staff and/or staff of other campus libraries, primarily in reference to patron services; frequent contact with UGEN staff, including [U]Tech in reference to support of Center technologies. (46-65%)

External: Frequent contact with community patrons, donors, and stakeholders who use the Center's services and support its continued use. (46-65%)

Students: Frequent and direct contact both with student staff and student patrons to address concerns and problems, assist with use of the Center, and/or use and interpret established procedures. (46-65%)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Will monitor performance of student employees and assist with the direct training of students. Expected to provide feedback to students in collaboration with other staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience/Education: 6 years of related experience and high school education, or 3 years of related experience and an Associate's degree, or no experience and a Bachelor's degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Ability to convey policies and technical concepts to laypersons of varying skill levels under academic pressures.
• Strong interpersonal skills that allow for successful communication
• Strong teamwork skills and interest in working in a collaborative environment toward shared goals.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle details and multiple projects simultaneously and in an organized manner; create and update consistent documentation to share across stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in situations that warrant individual interpretation of Center and library policies and procedures.
• Ability to perform routine tasks independently and under intermediate supervision.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance needs.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face-to-face and online.
• Ability to effectively use Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and collaboration applications, and Zoom independently and in collaboration with others.
• Ability to mentor student assistants and provide regular constructive feedback toward identified program goals.
• Willingness to learn more about digital scholarship tools and applications, such as Python, R, GIS, and network analysis.
• Willingness to learn how to troubleshoot various technologies, ranging from software applications to consumer electronics.
• Willingness to learn library bibliographic systems and library catalogs, automated library systems, computers (Windows or Mac, including basic software applications such as Word) and internet navigation/search skills.
• Willingness to learn a variety of evolving policies concerning information resources at Case Western Reserve University libraries.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Customer service experience, preferred.
• Supervisory experience, preferred.
• Experience working with and troubleshooting varieties of PCs, scanners, digitization equipment, maker studio equipment, or analogous technologies, preferred.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Sharepoint, LabStats, SpringShare software suite, preferred.
• Willingness to learn and utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI).

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office/library environment. The employee will perform repetitive motion using computer equipment. Required working hours will vary during final exams, university breaks, and holidays to meet staffing needs. Must be flexible to an adjusted work schedule to accommodate changes in operation hours. Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, and lift library materials and technology. Must be able to work around furniture to reach outlets, plugs, and other technologies.

The schedule is Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the need for flexibility in scheduling to meet changing needs of the library and Center. This position is hybrid eligible, subject to change based on the needs of the department and approval at the discretion of the supervisor.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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