Employment

Posting Date: 11/29/2023

Southwest Kansas Library System 
Title: Collection Specialist 
Reports to: System Director 
FSLA: Non-exempt 
Status: Full Time (40 hours/week) 

Company Values 

∙ Focus on providing quality customer service, internally and externally ∙ Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision ∙ Work effectively as a team contributor. 
∙ Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations. 
∙ Participate in continuing education and regular enhancement of skills.
∙ Align work with organization’s mission and vision.  

POSITION SUMMARY:  

This position provides prompt and accurate service to member libraries of Southwest  Kansas Library System (SWKLS) in the service areas of library collection management,  cataloging, interlibrary loan, the Integrated Library system, and collection training. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

∙ Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and ongoing activities simultaneously. ∙ Learn new procedures and technology; instruct SWKLS libraries. 
∙ Handle all subject and reference requests from SWKLS libraries. Includes using print, non-print, and database resources. 
∙ Provide collection management trainings for member libraries, to include but not limited to selection, cataloging, weeding, and book repair. 
∙ Primary on developing and organizing yearly 1-day workshop centered around Collection Management. 
∙ Manage System Office Collections and/or assist members with selection and management of library collections, including giving weeding and selection consultations, and helping with special collections – including local history collections and electronic resource purchases through the state library and or System provided vendor. 
∙ Provide Interlibrary loan consulting/training for member libraries. 
∙ Representative to Statewide ILL consulting committee. 
∙ Request out-of-state Interlibrary loan requests on OCLC for all member libraries. ∙ Responsible for all aspects of interlibrary loan requests. 
∙ Perform integrated library system technical support and consulting for member libraries. 
∙ Acts as liaison for the System ILS and secondary liaison for the DEI Task Force. ∙ Complete original cataloging for member libraries. 
∙ Participate in workshops, technical training opportunities, and job enrichment. ∙ Maintain/Compile statistical records and procedural manual. 
∙ Read literature and follow and contribute to appropriate listservs to keep current on  trends and issues as they relate to library collections.  
∙ Assist with resolving resource sharing complications that may arise. ∙ Assist libraries with the SWKLS Bulk Loan service.
∙ Assist courier services for System Office and questions from member libraries 

OTHER DUTIES: 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time. 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES: 

1. Strategic Thinking 
Recognize future trends and appropriately revise or create services and programs. 
2. Customer Focus 
Work with a positive, service-oriented attitude, focused on current and future customer needs. 
3. Problem Solving 
Recognize patterns, consider risks, and use sound judgement and creativity to identify, solve, and prevent problems. 
4. Decision Making 
Gather, utilize, and interpret relative information to make informed decisions and contribute to SWKLS organizational goals and projects.  
5. Presentation Skills 
Inform and educate small and large groups through a variety of presentation methods including online and in-person. 
6. Communication 
Convey and receive information effectively in writing and when speaking, keeping colleagues, customers, and stakeholders apprised of technology services and programs. 
7. Dependability and Adaptability 
Take appropriate action to meet goals, schedules, and demands while accepting responsibility for actions, results, and risks. 
8. Technology skills 
Able to work with a variety of software and hardware products including OCLC, Verso, and word processing.  

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: 

None

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL FUNCTIONS:  

The physical demands to perform this job are the ability to talk and hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects or controls, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to focus. 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

College degree preferred. Master of Library Science degree from an ALA Accredited Institution and/or comparable experience and skills desired but not required.

DECISION MAKING: 

Budget decisions must be made in communication with, and subject to approval of, the  System Director. 

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK: 

Regular hours are 40 hours per week, M-F, 8:00am-5:00pm. The schedule may vary with  attendance at meetings, trainings, and conferences.  

SELECTION GUIDELINES: 

Written application, oral interview, reference check, and job-related tests as required by the System Director. 

EMPLOYEE CERTIFICATION: 

I hereby understand and acknowledge that any employment relationship with the Southwest Kansas Library System is an “at will” employer, which means that the employee may resign at any time and that the Southwest Kansas Library System may discharge the employee at any time, with or without cause.  

The above job description is not an employment agreement between the employee and employer. Changes will be made by the employer as the needs and requirements of the job change. 

I have read this job description and am qualified for the position it describes. I hereby  certify my ability to perform all essential functions of the position as stated in this  position description. 

Name___________________________________ Date_____________________

Update November 2023