Music Access Services Manager

Music Access Services Manager Department Summary

One of the largest and most significant music collections in the US, the Music Library supports study, research, and scholarship of the UNT community and beyond. Outstanding collections of books about music, music journals, printed music, sound recordings, and music-related electronic databases provide students, researchers, and performers opportunities to expand their understanding and use of music. Our special and digitized collections include unique research and sound materials across genres, with special strengths in jazz, 17th—18th-century opera, radio, and historical sound recordings.

Meanwhile, The Soundbox, our music maker space, offers a creative environment to explore and engage with the technology of music, from electronic instruments to digital audio production. Music access services are integrated within the overall operations of the Music Library and are vital to the daily operations of the Music Library in providing crucial public services and access to music materials.

The Music Access Services Manager oversees daily public service operations in the Music Library while fostering a supportive, high-performing team environment through effective supervision and mentorship of student assistants. Operations under this role’s purview include: circulation, reserves, shelving and stacks management; resolving patron borrowing and fines disputes; and first-line reference assistance. Duties include staffing the Music Services Desk as needed and assisting with in-person and virtual outreach activities.

This role applies creative problem‑solving to streamline workflows, minimize service disruptions, and enhance user access to collections and spaces. The Manager provides responsive, user‑centered service by addressing complex or ambiguous inquiries, de‑escalating challenging interactions, and ensuring a consistently positive patron experience. Working both independently and collaboratively, the position contributes to a collegial team culture in the Music Library and completes detail‑oriented tasks with a high degree of accuracy.

The role participates in the development, assessment, and implementation of public services policies, using data, user feedback, and operational insights to inform decisions. While the schedule primarily aligns with the business week, occasional night and weekend coverage is necessary.

Bachelor’s degree and three years of progressively responsible full‑time library experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• Expert knowledge of library principles and policies, and extensive knowledge of specialized area functions and workflows.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Evidence in working effectively with students, faculty, staff, and the community.
• Verified ability to utilize multiple computer applications toward increased productivity in a rapidly changing environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and independent decision‑making skills.

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Music, or substantial formal music education.
• Proven capacity to cultivate the potential in others.
• Ability to apply creative problem‑solving strategies.
• History of contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex or unclear customer‑service requests.
• Experience using music reference sources to support access and basic user inquiries.

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleague develop these preferred skills.

• Supervise Music Services Desk student assistants, including: hiring and training; preparing schedules; ensuring that shifts are covered; managing time reporting; and conducting reviews and progress reports for student assistants.
• Manage and oversee activities conducted at the Music Services Desk, including creating and maintaining training materials, overseeing and…