Job Summary
Reporting to the Head of Collections and Acquisitions, this position is a part of the Collections & Acquisitions department, which is responsible for managing physical and electronic resources encompassing areas of acquisition, payment, resource maintenance and troubleshooting, renewal, and cancellation for the University Libraries and UMKC Law Library. The Senior Library Information Specialist position is responsible for many aspects of the daily duties within the resource management life cycle, including placing orders for print and electronic books, processing renewals, maintaining resources, and cancelling resources. Additional duties include student supervision and workflow enhancements.
Job Responsibilities
- Serves as the primary coordinator for print serials processing for UMKC Libraries and the UMKC Law Library
- Accurately checks in serials, creating and maintaining library services platform records for discovery and invoicing
- Labels and send items to appropriate library or shelving location
- Resolves any related issues or discrepancies in renewals, acquisitions, and cancellations
- Collaborates with the Electronic Resources & Acquisitions Associate to process orders, manage subscription renewals, and handle cancellation requests
- Duties include processing invoices for print and e-resources, credits, journal entries, and expense reports in the library services platform
- Communicates with both UMKC Libraries and Law Library vendors and library staff to inform, correct invoices, billing, shipment issues, and order status
- Serves as a main point of contact with vendors to maintain effective communication channels and promptly resolve issues
- Assists with maintaining vendor contact information to facilitate prompt and accurate communication with a variety of vendors Works with library vendors.
- Maintains a strong working relationship that ensures timely communication and resolution of problems
- Acts as the principal supervisor for student employees within the Collections and Acquisitions department.
- Oversees the training, quality control, and task assignments to ensure accuracy and efficiency in student contributions
- Works cooperatively with the cataloging department on the supervision and daily duties of the student.
- Monitors work quality and provides feedback and evaluation to support student development and departmental goals
- Alongside the Electronic Resources & Acquisitions Associate, supports acquisitions reporting and statistics
- Cross-trains to serve as the designated backup for acquisitions reporting, expenditure tracking, and statistics. Steps in to compile reports, track expenditures, and update usage metrics as needed to ensure continuity and data accuracy
- Collaborates with the Electronic Resources and Collection Assessment Librarian to maintain and update databases.
- Regularly updates and troubleshoots print serial and electronic resource records in FOLIO, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility
- Identifies and resolves issues proactively to maintain high standards of record quality
- Works closely with the department head to improve policies and procedures, focusing on streamlining workflows through automation and optimization
- Maintains a working knowledge of the policies and procedures of the department, the University Libraries, UMKC Law Library and UMKC
- Oversees the receipt and opening of the department mail, acting upon notifications or escalating to the appropriate staff member
- Professional development and service
- Participates in appropriate library, campus, and professional committees and professional development as defined by and with the approval of their supervisor
- Maintains expertise in skills and proficiencies required by the position in areas of library systems, acquisitions, workflows, and resource management that support the department’s goals
- Performs other duties as assigned
Supervisory authority: Supervises, hires, trains, and evaluates student staff as necessary to ensure smooth operations that follow established policies.
Shift: 40 hours/week, between 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday. The UMKC University Libraries support flexible work arrangements in keeping with the Flexible Work Arrangement Policy.
Education/Experiential Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and at least 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
Preferred Qualifications
- Attention to accuracy and detail
- Ability to work independently and to be highly productive
- Experience with library management software
- Experience with the Microsoft Office suite, especially Outlook
- Experience working in libraries
- Experience with library acquisitions, serials, and electronic resources processes
- Supervisory experience