Circulation and User Services Library Associate

Library Associate

The University of Iowa Libraries is seeking to hire a Library Associate in our Undergraduate Engagement/Circulation and User Services department. Reporting to the Circulation and User Services Librarian (100%), this position entails operating at a single service point to assist library users with directional, basic research, circulation, or technology needs requiring creative thought and understanding of libraries and information science. It also involves referring users to appropriate experts on campus or within the libraries as required. Communication with colleagues and users is facilitated through various channels like instant messaging (IM), email, telephone, or other technologies.

Engaging diplomatically with the public within a public contact setting is crucial. This involves interacting with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds to deliver exceptional customer service. Key skills for this role include engaging and communicating with patience, attentiveness, clarity, tact, and courtesy. Successful candidates will need the ability to infuse positive language into customer interactions.

Work Hours: Monday- Friday and regular weekends. Position schedule is subject to change during summers, interim and holidays.

Duties and Responsibilities

Service Desk (35%)

• Performs a full range of services while at the Main Library Service Desk, including functional supervision of student staff. Duties include greeting users, retrieving library materials, helping users locate materials, and checking in and out library items, including laptops and peripheral equipment. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers and the public. Perform effectively in environments with frequent workload changes and competing demands. Work must be performed politely, accurately, and in a timely manner.

• Understands and refers requests for customized or expert research services to appropriate liaison librarians or other UI libraries.

• Ability to operate and coach users when operating printers, scanners, self-check kiosk(s), laptops and other technology and equipment.

• Familiarity with library resources and ability to assist users in navigating the UI web pages, providing guidance in requesting items through relevant services, Interlibrary Loan, etc.

• Maintain current awareness of trends and developments in the learning commons and on campus; seek continuous improvement in professional skills and competencies.

• Acquire and maintain a basic knowledge of locations/content/policies of collections across the libraries to assist users in obtaining appropriate research material quickly and efficiently.

Department email (20%)

Work includes management of departmental email that requires effective communication, and includes the ability to interpret user inquiries, identify core issues, and propose viable solutions using independent judgement and ability to interpret library policy. Additionally, internal correspondence plays a critical role in resolving time-sensitive matters at the service desk. It is essential for providing prompt assistance to users and directing them to the appropriate resources, ensuring a seamless and supportive user experience.

Management of Community Borrowers Permits (20%)

Responsible for overseeing the creation of borrower cards, ensuring seamless communication with the public, and sharing essential policies and procedures related to card usage. Key responsibilities include efficiently processing card applications, providing clear guidance to applicants, and maintaining accurate records.

Financial (20%)

Coordinates the monthly organization and computation of library fines across Main Library units and branch libraries. Utilizes Alma analytics to extract overdue charges for Main Library circulating collections, including ITS-provided laptops and peripherals. Ensures the accuracy of charges and categorizes them according to University Billing Office type codes for pre-sorting. Compiles charges from other campus libraries into a consolidated monthly upload for the Finance Office. Serves as the primary contact for inquiries about library fine charges on university statements and facilitates credits when necessary.

5% Various, ongoing tasks which include but are not limited to:

• Participates in cross training of staff and student employees as needed in circulation procedures, media retrieval, re-shelving of library materials and customer service.

• Using Canva and working across departments creates tabletop messaging working with communications staff to ensure a high quality of information is available to the public.

• Provides support to other unit members as needed, including retrieving physical course reserves.

• Orders supplies for the department and the Service Desk. Supplies must be ordered in a timely fashion to maintain the user experience. Checks accuracy of orders and routes supplies as needed.

• Participates in library-wide staff development activities and in departmental meetings.

• Performs other, related, technical, and public service duties as assigned by the supervisor.

• Communicates across library departments as needed.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and related work experience.

• Exceptional communication and public relations skills that demonstrate a proactive approach to service (demonstrated ability to anticipate needs and take initiative)

• Proficient experience with effective use of technology; hardware (PCs, printers, scanners, etc.) and software (Microsoft Office Suite, common web browsers, etc.). Ability to learn new technology as required for the position (Ex Libris Alma, WordPress, SpringShare, etc.)

Desired/Preferred:

• Knowledge of University and Libraries policies and procedures

• Ability to efficiently learn and perform technical and complex tasks with accuracy and attention to detail

• Familiarity with video, audio, and microform formats and equipment

• Demonstrated experience as a proactive and creative problem solver

• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with others and in groups and/or team settings

• Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively

Application Details: Applications are only accepted through the View email address on click.appcast.io website. In order to be eligible for interview, applicants must upload the following and mark them as "relevant files" when you upload the documents:

1. Cover letter that clearly addresses how you meet each of the required and any desired qualifications of this position. To ensure strongest consideration, applicants are encouraged to review all required qualifications and state directly how they meet each of them.

2. Current resume

This job ad will be posted through May 31, 2026, and may be removed from posting and filled any time after that date.

Please contact View email address on click.appcast.io if you have any questions about the position. The hiring salary range for this Library Associate position is $42,000 - $48,000 based on experience.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization.

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.