Job Opportunity: South Asia and Africa Receiving and Copy Cataloging Specialist
The Acquisitions Department of Stanford Libraries seeks an efficient, reliable, and collaborative new member for our team.
Job Purpose
The South Asia and Africa Receiving and Copy Cataloging Specialist is responsible for managing the receipt of materials from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, including print and digital books, periodicals, and other resources supplied by vendors using various acquisitions methods. Responsibilities also include placing orders for periodicals; overseeing claiming and canceling of orders and reports; performing copy cataloging; and solving complex problems associated with receiving issues. The incumbent also manages the receipt of materials for course reserves and patron requests and must work efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced environment to ensure that new materials are quickly accessible to the research community.
Core Duties
Ordering and Receiving – 40%
• Searches local Integrated Library System (SirsiDynix Symphony) for duplication of materials received or ordered
• Places orders for periodicals with vendor; creates order record in local database
• Receives incoming library materials in local database following established procedures
• Resolves complex issues related to ordering, receiving, invoicing, claiming, and processing of materials under general supervision
• Evaluates incoming materials for handling decisions
• Processes returns following local policies
Copy Cataloging – 30%
• Searches bibliographic utilities and loads appropriate record into local database
• Creates brief descriptive bibliographic records in MARC format, following guidelines and procedures based on AACR2 and RDA
• Performs copy cataloging of materials in non-serial formats, correcting errors in transcription and occasionally adding descriptive information when required by local internal policies and procedures
• Creates/updates MARC holdings records for multi-volume titles and accompanying materials according to local policies and procedures and based on ANSI standards
Problem Solving – 30%
• Corresponds with vendors and other external contacts regarding specific problems with received materials and follows up when necessary
• Communicates with Ordering, Payments, Metadata, and bibliographers to resolve issues with problematic materials and follows up on details when necessary
• May serve as a back-up to mail opening staff
• Other duties as assigned according to operational need
Minimum Education and Experience Required:
• Two-year college degree plus one or more years of experience in an academic library, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
• Reading and writing knowledge of at least one South Asian or African language
• Ability to communicate library policy
• Ability to apply judgment in choosing procedures and evaluating alternatives
• Knowledge of Library of Congress call number system
• Demonstrated computer literacy with communication software such as email
• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed tasks accurately and efficiently
• Demonstrated interpersonal and organizational skills
Other Relevant Knowledge, Skills and Abilities May Include:
• Four-year college degree or equivalent desired
• Reading knowledge of Urdu strongly preferred
• Ability to learn library operational skills desired
• Experience working in an academic library desired
• Experience using online project management tools such as Atlassian JIRA and Confluence
• Demonstrated ability to apply a wide and diverse knowledge base of acquisitions policies, evaluate alternatives, and choose effective, timely solutions, in situations not thoroughly documented by procedures
Physical Requirements
• Ability to push a cart weighing up to 650 lbs. that requires an initial push force up to 70 lbs.
• Ability to work in an environment that is dusty and or moldy
• Ability to lift books that are up to 10 pounds
• Ability to kneel and reach
• Must be able to stand for many hours
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
Work Standards
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/.
Standard Hours for this position: 40-hour workweek, start and end times to be agreed upon with supervisor.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and is committed to recruiting and hiring without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Additional Information
Schedule: Full-time
Job Code: 1733
Employee Status: Regular
Grade: E
Requisition ID: 83212