Library Assistant 2 (1-year Term)

Department: NUL Acquisitions Metadata Serv
Salary/Grade: NEX/10

Job Summary:

This 1-year term position maintains workflows and services that make government publications, scholarly journals, and other serial publications available to Northwestern faculty and students. Processes receipts and provides access for newly received government publications, provides limited processing for retrospective government publications, and processes receipts for general serials, standing orders, microforms, and some monographic materials. Provides services and functions that uphold Northwestern University Libraries' status in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), including following guidelines for proper bibliographic description and access for Federal publications.

Please Note: This is a full-time benefits eligible 1-year term position. The target budgeted minimum starting salary for this position is $20.42 - $24.82 hourly. Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline; departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

First consideration for applications received by January 5, 2026.

Physical requirements include daily lifting / carrying / moving of objects and books weighing up to 30 pounds. Ability to reach, bend, climb, stoop, crouch, lift, push and/or pull objects and/or furniture while shelving or maintaining the library

Specific Responsibilities:

• Processes receipts and provides bibliographic description of newly received government documents in a variety of formats, including those from federal, state, and international entities.
• Provides bibliographic description and access for limited retrospective government materials, based on user needs and determined by supervisor.
• Creates and edits orders, check-in notes, and claim history of physical serials, and processes receipts based on this information.
• Receives and routes print journals, newspapers, microforms, series standing orders, and other continuing resources, following serials check-in procedures based on location and format.
• Coordinates work with other staff assigned serials check-in duties.
• Processes some serial invoices and payments.
• Works with bibliographic, holdings, and item records to interpret information and determine best practices in consultation with supervisor.
• Assists in solving problems arising from orders, receipt, claim or payment of physical serials.
• Reviews processes and procedures and proposes improvements; assist with implementation.
• Performs some copy cataloging of monographs and serials as part of the receiving process.
• Searches OCLC for matching bibliographic information of received materials .
• Creates brief bibliographic records for physical serials.
• Coordinates with online resources staff when working with electronic government documents acquisitions.
• Responsible for the preparation and maintenance of written documentation of government documents acquisitions procedures.
• Compiles monthly statistics of work.
• Assists in opening and routing of physical materials; participates in regular physical mail processing rotation.
• Assists with packing and shipping of physical materials for vendor outsourcing work.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2 years' library experience or other relevant experience (general office / clerical / customer service / retail) required.
• Intermediate computer skills and familiarity with standard productivity software programs.
• Learning aptitude for emerging technologies such as AI that apply to library functions and services.
• Experience with detailed work processes.
• Demonstrated reliability in prior work experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Displays strong attention to detail and ability to perform detailed work accurately while maintaining flexibility in handling variations in normal procedures.
• Works effectively in an environment in which the parameters may change daily; adjusts behavior to meet the needs of different people and situations.
• Demonstrates collegiality with colleagues; is helpful, respectful, approachable and team-oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Displays communication skills needed to work with others, including balancing listening and talking, speaking and writing clearly and accurately, and keeping others informed.
• Successfully uses multiple software programs independently. Software may include Microsoft Office, applications such as Word and Excel, email, web browsers, and library-specific resources and tools.
• Focuses on achieving a high standard of excellence independently with work processes and outcomes.
• Working knowledge of one or more non-English language and the ability to work with unfamiliar languages.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Experience in a library or equivalent environment, in particular an academic or research library.
• Familiarity with Alma integrated library system.
• Bibliographic searching experience.
• Familiarity with standard library methods and procedures.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Familiarity using library research databases, and integrated library systems.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.