Senior Library Specialist- Access Services- Circulation

Job Description:

Performs skilled tasks in Circulation in support of the Library's mission. Provides library users with timely assistance and customer service, and promotes self-sufficiency in locating and using library and information resources, equipment and services onsite or online. Provides library users with timely retrieval of library materials upon request and within preferred time frame. Performs functions related to the operation and maintenance of course reserve system.

This library bargaining unit position is scheduled. This position is 10 months during the academic year. Sunday through Thursday. Sunday 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Monday through Thursday 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides customer service and assistance to users in support of library services
• Provides instruction and guidance on how to use the library, access its resources, and develop information seeking skills
• Provides assistance to increase patron self-sufficiency
• Assists users with research software and related tools (e.g., bibliographic citation management software and e-book reading software)
• Interprets library policies and procedures
• Assists users in locating alternative information resources and services
• Answers directional, navigational, informational, and how-to queries
• Facilitates referral of in-depth questions to specialists as appropriate
• Responds to and interacts with online users referring to specialists as appropriate
• Assists users in locating, retrieving, borrowing, and copying library-owned information resources
• Routes, lends, pages, searches, receives, charges, discharges, holds, scans, downloads, and copies library materials
• Creates and edits patron, course reserve, bibliographic (e.g., minimal level "on the fly") records. Creates and edits item records for storage.
• Collects fines and fees, adjusts patron accounts, issues library privileges, and assigns carrels/lockers
• Assists onsite users with the Library's public equipment; does basic troubleshooting, arranges for repair, and refers to specialist as appropriate.
• Checks and performs basic maintenance on the Library's public equipment (e.g., fills paper trays, adds toner, clears paper jams, stocks needed supplies)
• Assists onsite users with other equipment within the library, including CIS-owned, Graphic Services owned and Brown Card-owned equipment in the absence of non-library staff; does basic troubleshooting, refers to specialist as appropriate.
• Utilizes resource sharing systems including consortial and reciprocal agreements to borrow and lend library materials
• Receives and processes requests for material such as course reserves or resource sharing
• Physically prepares material for reserves and resource sharing, and for return to stacks
• Identifies, selects and creates physical or digital copies of source material requested for course reserves or resource sharing
• Creates links for electronic reserves
• Assists with compliance with resource sharing policies within Library guidelines
• Maintains hold shelf, and Course Reserves.
• Opens and closes revolving door at the Rockefeller Library in the absence of other security personnel.
• Assumes additional responsibility on evenings, weekends and holidays for collections and buildings in the absence of other library personnel
• Trains and provides assistance to co-workers
• Trains, schedules their work, and directs student assistants
• Performs related duties as required

Supervisor: Rockefeller Circulation Manager or Science Library Circulation Manager

Works independently under general direction; makes independent judgments and decisions within scope of library policies and procedures

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Computer skills, ability to use standard computer software packages
• Previous public service experience in an academic library preferred
• Experience with automated library systems desirable
• Capacity to learn new technologies and systems necessary for continually effective job performance
• Ability to interact favorably with library users and co-workers
• Oral and written communication skills
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately with reasonable speed
• Knowledge of one or more foreign languages desirable
• Successful completion of a test may be required
• Will be required to work evenings and/or weekends

Physical Application Required

• Ability to unpack, shelve, and move library material which typically weigh up to 10 pounds, but on occasion (e.g., in the absence of student workers), may transport books and/or trays weighing up to 20 pounds
• Ability to occasionally place and retrieve library material located on shelves, which requires bending and reaching arms overhead. On occasion may need to use a kick step or ladder to retrieve material from shelves.
• Ability to read fine print with or without assistive technology
• Ability to sit for long periods at a computer screen

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Please review additional information on the Benefits of Working at Brown.

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-07-28

Job Posting Title:

Senior Library Specialist- Access Services- Circulation

Department:

University Library

Grade:

Library Grades

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Onsite

Submission Guidelines:

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.