Public Services & Engagement Specialist: University Libraries - UTK

Public Services & Engagement Specialist:
University Libraries - UTK

Knoxville, TN, United States

Position Summary

This position is responsible for a complex range of duties to meet the University's educational, research, and outreach goals by providing excellent customer service at Pendergrass Library, with tasks including: providing research assistance and assisting users with all types of questions; providing access to materials in all formats, including equipment; fulfilling patron and Resource Sharing requests; troubleshooting and resolving patron problems;

and providing technology support for patrons. This position also fulfills large format printing and 3D printing requests, including consulting with patrons Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-6pm.

Job Description

This position will make significant contributions to the outreach, engagement, and instructional support efforts for Pendergrass Library. They will design and implement various outreach and instructional support initiatives to connect users with the UT Libraries' resources, services, spaces, and collections. This will include the creation of physical and digital media and collaboration with partners across campus and in the UT Libraries.

This position will also manage critical tasks for Pendergrass Library, including the management of all procurement and surplus processes. Additionally, this person will collaborate with UT Libraries colleagues to develop and maintain the UT Libraries website. This position requires a high level of decision-making related to the implementation and interpretation of library policies and procedures, including security and student safety as well as addressing any emergency that may arise.

This individual must communicate effectively with UT faculty, staff, students, and the public, as well as with UT Libraries and campus partners. They must possess strong multi-tasking skills, the ability to prioritize tasks efficiently, and a commitment to meeting deadlines.

Public Services

• Works 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Tuesday - Saturday (semesters) and Monday - Friday (breaks), which includes opening and closing the library
• Provides in-person and online research assistance to all patrons, including faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and members of the general public; analyzes users' information needs, determines appropriate library resources to use, and designs research strategies to meet those needs
• Circulates library materials and technologies including, but not limited to, assistance with selection and location, checking out and renewing, adjusting loan periods as needed, placing holds, explaining policies, and inspecting and processing returns
• Manages patron library accounts, including but not limited to adding and collecting library fines and fees and placing and updating requests
• Provides technology support to all patrons
• Interprets library and university policies, procedures, and regulations to staff and patrons, using judgment to create exceptions, as appropriate; mediates and resolves conflicts
• Fulfills Resource Sharing, scan on demand, and library express requests - Fulfills large format printing requests, including consulting with patrons about large format design and printing
• Engages in 3D printing services, including consulting with patrons, operating 3D printing equipment, and staying abreast of Pendergrass technology, policies, and procedures as they relate to 3D printing
• Oversees the facility on Saturdays, ensuring it is safe, secure, and clean; liaises with appropriate campus partners on facility, security, and service issues

Outreach, Engagement, and Instructional Support

• Designs, promotes, implements, and assesses activities to connect users with Pendergrass and UT Libraries' resources, services, spaces, and collections
• In collaboration with Public Services & Engagement Librarian, plans and executes Big Orange Finish Line activities
• Conceives and plans other engagement activities, including ideation, execution, and assessment
• Produces physical and digital media in support of library events, messaging, and instruction
• Creates displays throughout the library that highlight library…