Interlibrary Loan Specialist

Department: University Libraries

Classification: Library Specialist 2

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible (up to 2 days of telework)

Pay Band: 04

Salary: No less than $43,000, commensurate with education and professional experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Access & Resource Management (ARM) division works across the Libraries to support the University's strategic goals and plan by acquiring, managing, and providing access to scholarly resources that enhance curricular and research needs. The division manages the lifecycle of the University Libraries' scholarly collection from budget development to point of ordering to provision of access and all associated maintenance and assessment. The division is comprised of seven departments: Resource Acquisition (acquisitions, payments, subscription, and e-resource management), Resource Licensing & Delivery (licensing and interlibrary loan/resource sharing), Collections Strategy (collections development and analysis), Metadata Services (metadata, cataloging, processing, and binding), Database Integrity & Analysis (data collection and analysis, reports, and database cleanup), Preservation Services (physical preservation, stacks, shifts, disaster preparedness and response), and Access Services (Fenwick Information Desk, circulation, consortial loan service, and reserves). We are committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace, as well as in the systems and services we build, as an inclusive excellence imperative.

Within ARM, the Resource Licensing & Delivery department supports the research, education, and life-long learning needs of George Mason University faculty, staff, and students. This is accomplished by working with vendors and other University units to negotiate and execute agreements to purchase or subscribe to library resources and by providing cost-effective, equitable, and alternative access to requested collections and research materials to support the University's learning, teaching, and research mission (referred to as resource sharing), materials that are held in the collections of Mason Libraries but needed at a campus other than the one where they are located, and materials needed by Mason students who are enrolled in Mason's distance education courses and programs.

About the Position:

The Interlibrary Loan Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring equitable access to research materials through borrowing and lending services for internal/external library patrons. This position facilitates collaboration across library partners and expands resource availability for all users. This position plays a key role in promoting collaboration among libraries and ensuring efficient and cost-effective resource-sharing. They also participate in committees and/or workgroups as required to share knowledge, develop best practices, and advance the work of the Libraries.

Responsibilities:

ILL Request Management:

• Processes interlibrary borrowing, lending, document delivery of digital and physical requests from Mason patrons and resource-sharing partners in compliance with federal, state, national, international laws and guidelines. Verifies information and ensures the accuracy of requests.

ILL Operations:

• Ensures continuity of core ILL departmental operations. Documents and maintains accurate records of loan transactions and usage statistics. Troubleshoots ILL software and technical issues. Supports the selection, hiring, onboarding, training, and management of the assigned work of student workers.

Communication and Customer Service:

• Supports library patrons, staff, and partner institutions, responding to increasingly complex issues, and referring and/or escalating issues as needed. Provides updates on the status of requests and resolves issues and/or delays. Educates users and patrons on interlibrary loan policies and procedures for all formats, including the use of electronic discovery tools and research databases.

Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Customer service experience and problem-solving capability in a library setting;
• Experience conducting research and methods in a library setting;
• Demonstrated knowledge of library services platforms and discovery and access systems (LSP, Alma, etc.);
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities; and
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interlibrary loan lending experience at an academic library;
• Familiarity with copyright law and library licensing agreements;
• Proficient in resource-sharing platforms and related tools (OCLC, WorldShare, ILL); and
• Advanced library search skills.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Interlibrary Loan Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date: January 23, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by: February 16, 2025

Open Until Filled: Yes