Branch Library Public Services Associate
The University of Iowa Libraries is seeking to hire a Branch Library Public Services Associate for a full-time, 1 year specified term position. Located in the department of Unified Access Services, the position supports branch library operations, providing both coverage and operational support for service desk functions across six branch locations of the Art Library, Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, Lichtenberger Engineering Library, Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library, Rita Benton Music Library, Sciences Library as well as the Main Library. The position provides in person, phone, email or chat customer service to library users who need directional, basic reference, circulation, or technology assistance, including referrals to an appropriate expert on campus or within the libraries. The position supports branch special projects as assigned and oversees student workers during service desk coverage times.
This position will be filled as a 1 year Specified Term position.
This position will require evening and/or weekend shifts and may require adjusting shifts due to coverage needs. This position is 100% on campus, not eligible for hybrid or remote work.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Support seven libraries’ day-to-day operations
- The position is 100% on campus and requires evening and weekend hours
- Provide reliable coverage for closing shifts as backup coverage during staff absences, illnesses, or leave; provide backup coverage to reduce operational disruptions when branch student workers are unavailable.
- While providing coverage at the various service desks, monitor and guide the work of student employees.
- Provide circulation and reference services answering the questions of library users and assisting library staff as needed.
- When not providing back up coverage for service desks, assist with special projects that benefit both branch libraries and the broader library system. This may include usage statistics compilation, accessibility remediation for digital content, course reserves support, and outreach activities support.
Operate and coach users when operating printers, scanners, self-check kiosk(s), laptops and other technology and equipment.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent education and experience.
- Demonstrated customer service experience in public facing roles.
- Demonstrated ability to work flexibly in a rapidly changing environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work productively and sensitively with library and university colleagues, faculty, students, researchers, and community members.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment where consultation, flexibility, collaboration, and cooperation are essential.
- Demonstrated interest in professional development that will enhance the candidate’s value to the Libraries, the University, the profession, or the scholarly community.
Ability to move up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Desired Qualifications
- At least one year of experience working in academic, special, or public libraries, with a focus on public services.
- Demonstrated ability to work on all aspects of circulation services including familiarity with the circulation programs such as Alma.
- At least one year of supervisory experience.
Application details:
Applications are only accepted through the Jobs@UIOWA website.
In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and mark them as “relevant files” when you upload the documents:
1. Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet the required qualifications and any desired qualifications of this position. To ensure strongest consideration, applicants are encouraged to review all qualifications and state directly how they meet each of them.
2. Current resume
This is a 12 month specified term position. This position will require evening and/or weekend shifts and may require adjusting shifts due to coverage needs. This position is 100% on campus, not eligible for hybrid or remote work.
This job ad will be posted for at least two weeks and may be removed from posting and filled any time after that. Please contact andrea-rost@uiowa.edu if you have any questions about the position.
The hiring salary range for this Library Associate position is $44,000 - $49,000 based on experience.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
