• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: 1199 Clerical
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $26.86 - 26.86 per hour entry rate ($27.70-$27.70 per hour minimum rate)

Position Summary

Columbia University Libraries is currently seeking applicants for the position of Bibliographic Assistant VI in the Department of Collections Acquisitions and Description. Columbia University Libraries is a globally-recognized academic research library, serving one of the world's most important centers of research and learning. The Libraries' collection includes resources in more than 450 languages and primary source materials that span over 4,000 years of human thought. The collections include over 15 million volumes, with access to over 7 million online electronic resource titles, nearly 300,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archives, over 150,000 maps, and over 1.2 million graphic and audio-visual materials. Through an extensive global network of library partnerships, Columbia Libraries also facilitates access to collections at academic, research, and public libraries across the country and the world.

The Bibliographic Assistant in this position will work mainly with monograph material from countries primarily located in the Middle East and process the material for discovery in the Libraries catalog. As a member of the Collections Acquisition and Description department, the incumbent will assist with managing approval acquisitions, as well as searching/copy cataloging tasks.

Test: Language tests will be given on the day of the interview.

Responsibilities

• Providing original and copy cataloging support for monograph material.
• Assigning library locations to newly acquired material.
• Identifying new and added volumes of serials and processes according to local practices.
• Entering invoices in the Libraries local system for payment.
• Corresponding with vendors on missing and defective items and invoice errors.
• Checking-in materials, adding them to existing holdings, and routing them to appropriate departments.
• Paying invoices for continuing resources material.
• Corresponding and interacting with CUL's subject liaisons on matters related to books received in the department.
• Opening a high volume of material from several different vendors.
• Performing quality control on material received.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma and/or its equivalent and one year of related experience required.
• Strong knowledge of two Middle Eastern languages - one in the Arabic alphabet.
• Ability to quickly learn complex tasks and systems and deploy this knowledge in a dynamic and diverse academic library environment with minimal oversight.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work in an effective manner.
• Ability to determine the research value and subject discipline of library materials for purposes of cataloging and classification.
• Strong computer skills to interact with numerous online vendor platforms and transfer this information to the Libraries internal system.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal Libraries' staff and external vendors, producers, and creators.
• Ability to interact with a diverse group of colleagues and library users.
• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 40lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some college preferred.
• Previous experience in academic libraries.
• Library acquisitions and/or book trade experience are desirable.