Head of Collection Maintenance & Retrieval

Department

Library C & A - Access Serv - Coll Mgmt & Circ - Regenstein Stacks

About the Department

As a center of intense intellectual inquiry, the University of Chicago Library aspires to be the most dynamic research and learning environment in the world, supporting the University’s commitment to research and teaching and to using its intellectual resources to help solve the world’s problems. Even as we continue to focus on building and preserving our renowned collections, the Library is assuming new roles that are vital to research, innovation, and learning at the University. In the process, we are leveraging the deep expertise of Library staff, developing services that support new avenues of research, and expanding access to and preservation of scholarly resources in ways that advance the goals of the University community and the needs of the next generation of scholars.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Collection Management & Circulation Services (CM & CS) Librarian, the Head of Collection Maintenance & Retrieval plans and supervises collection maintenance and retrieval operations at the Joseph Regenstein Library and coordinates Library services for collections in offsite storage. Manages projects that require shifting and/or transfer of Library collections, including ongoing transfer of collections from the Joe and Rika Mansueto Library to offsite storage. Monitors growth and space constraints of physical library collections and recommends collection maintenance projects to the CM & CS Librarian. Oversees the shelving and retrieval operations for Regenstein’s physical collections. Provides and promotes excellent customer service to Library patrons and staff across all areas of responsibility. Provides leadership and oversight of a busy processing unit with extensive operating hours in the largest and most heavily used library buildings on campus.

Responsibilities

• Hires, trains, supervises, schedules, and evaluates 1.0 FTE supervisor, 5.0 FTE union clerical staff and up to 11.0 FTE student staff.

• Manages and oversees staff performing collection maintenance projects, including the ongoing transfer off-site and withdrawal and disposal of Mansueto and Regenstein library physical collections at scale (100K+ volumes annually) to accommodate current and future library needs. Collects and analyzes data on collection growth and shelf occupancy; plans and prioritizes shifting and other collection maintenance projects as needed.

• Coordinates internal resources and integrations with third-party vendors for the transfer and ongoing servicing of physical collections, including physical delivery and electronic scanning, by vendors. Serves as the primary Library contact with off-site storage vendors for daily operations; coordinates with vendors and the Library Budget Office to monitor and resolve invoicing issues.

• Manages and oversees staff performing the daily operations of the Regenstein Collection Maintenance & Retrieval unit, including check-in, routing, and shelving of Regenstein collections, as well as the retrieval and searching for Regenstein material in support of the Library’s Paging & Pickup service and staff needs. Oversees, distributes, and monitors work of staff and ensures routine tasks are completed in a timely manner.

• Collaborates with other Library units (including campus libraries), in particular with Regenstein Circulation & Building Resources, Mansueto Circulation & ASRS Operations, Document Delivery Services, and Library Facilities to ensure superior service to library patrons.

• Under the direction of the Collection Management & Circulation Services Librarian, engages in future planning, and sets achievable and measurable goals. Assesses progress toward goals and effectiveness of services. Establishes priorities, manages and tracks processes and projects to achieve goals and promote efficient work; provides ongoing reports and statistics on operations performed.

• In consultation with the Collection Management & Circulation Services Librarian, recommends new services, systems, or workflows to benefit Library users and promote efficient service.

• Maintains guidelines, policies, and procedures for the unit. Manages unit communications, which includes the unit's web site.

• Evaluates services and the effectiveness of policies and makes recommendations for service improvement.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills deve