Library Assistant (LIBRA) – Public Services

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Library Assistant (LIBRA) – Public Services

Job Profile Title

Library Assistant I

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Head of the Library Research Annex (LIBRA), the Library Assistant is responsible for ingesting, fulfilling requests, refiling, and auditing material at Penn’s high density storage facility, LIBRA. This position will report to LIBRA in West Deptford, NJ. Position requires regular lifting of storage containers weighing in excess of 25 lbs. each and moving of wheeled crates weighing in excess of 200 lbs.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Process physical inventory, including cleaning of material, sizing and traying of material and accessioning material using CaiaSoft; assemble High Density Storage containers.

• Perform routine maintenance of bibliographic, holdings and item records as assigned.

• Perform routine auditing of material as assigned.

• Retrieve requested material and prepare items for physical delivery, in-house use, or for scanning and electronic delivery.

• Refile returned material.

• Accession new shelving to CaiaSoft as assigned.

• Perform routine maintenance of forklift, including charging and watering of the battery.

• Work collegially and collaboratively with all LIBRA staff

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED and 1 -2 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required.

• Current certification to operate an orderpicker (forklift) preferred.

• Warehouse experience is preferred.

• Familiarity with bibliographic, holding and item records in a library setting.

• Familiarity with an automated library systems, in particular ILLiad and ReShare.

• Ability to work independently, exercise judgment, show initiative, high-level of attention to detail.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Basic computer skills in a Windows computing environment.

• The ability to move boxes of up to 25lbs and push crates of up to 200lbs.

Application Requirement 

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.  

**Please note that this position is a bargaining unit position represented by a labor union. Job related re