Library Assistant ; Term

Job : 52874

Location: Evanston, Illinois

This 1-year term position maintains workflows and services that make government publications, scholarly journals, and other serial publications available to Northwestern faculty and students. Processes receipts and provides access for newly received government publications, provides limited processing for retrospective government publications, and processes receipts for general serials, standing orders, microforms, and some monographic materials. Provides services and functions that uphold Northwestern University Libraries' status in the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), including following guidelines for proper bibliographic description and access for Federal publications.

This is a full-time benefits eligible 1-year term position. The target budgeted minimum starting salary for this position is $20.42 - $24.82 hourly. Northwestern University has provided a pay range representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for the position. The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate including years since terminal degree, training, and field or discipline;

departmental budget availability; internal comparators; and external market pay for comparable jobs.

First consideration for applications received by January 5, 2026
.

Physical requirements include daily lifting / carrying / moving of objects and books weighing up to 30 pounds. Ability to reach, bend, climb, stoop, crouch, lift, push and/or pull objects and/or furniture while shelving or maintaining the library.

• Processes receipts and provides bibliographic description of newly received government documents in a variety of formats, including those from federal, state, and international entities.
• Provides bibliographic description and access for limited retrospective government materials, based on user needs and determined by supervisor.
• Creates and edits orders, check-in notes, and claim history of physical serials, and processes receipts based on this information.
• Receives and routes print journals, newspapers, microforms, series standing orders, and other continuing resources, following serials check-in procedures based on location and format.
• Coordinates work with other staff assigned serials check-in duties.
• Processes some serial invoices and payments.
• Works with bibliographic, holdings, and item records to interpret information and determine best practices in consultation with supervisor.
• Assists in solving problems arising from orders, receipt, claim or payment of physical serials.
• Reviews processes and procedures and proposes improvements; assist with implementation.
• Performs some copy cataloging of monographs and serials as part of the receiving process.
• Searches OCLC for matching bibliographic information of received materials.
• Creates brief bibliographic records for physical serials.
• Coordinates with online resources staff when working with electronic government documents acquisitions.
• Responsible for the preparation and maintenance of written documentation of government documents acquisitions procedures.
• Compiles monthly statistics of work.
• Assists in opening and routing of physical materials; participates in regular physical mail processing rotation.
• Assists with packing and shipping of physical materials for vendor outsourcing work.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• A high school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2 years' library experience or other relevant experience (general office / clerical / customer service / retail) required.
• Intermediate computer skills and familiarity with standard productivity software programs.
• Learning aptitude for emerging technologies such as AI that apply to library functions and services.
• Experience with detailed work processes.
• Demonstrated reliability in prior work experience.

• Displays strong attention to detail and ability to perform detailed work accurately while maintaining flexibility in handling variations in normal procedures.
• Works effectively in an environment in which the parameters may change daily; adjusts behavior to meet the needs of different people and situations.
• Demonstrates collegiality with colleagues; is helpful, respectful, approachable and team-oriented, building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Displays communication skills needed to work with others, including balancing listening and talking, speaking and writing clearly and accurately, and keeping others informed.
• Successfully uses multiple software programs independently. Software may include Microsoft Office, applications such as Word and Excel, email, web browsers, and library-specific resources and tools.
• Focuses on achieving a high standard of excellence independently with work processes and…