Electronic Resources and Serials Specialist
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Full-time
Administration / Clerical
Posted on May 18, 2023
VCU Libraries invites applications for an Electronic Resources and Serials Specialist position to join its Electronic and Continuing Resources (ECR) Team.
The ECR Team manages the library's print and electronic serial resources and databases, and their data throughout the resources' life cycle, to provide users ongoing access to subscribed content through the library management system (Alma), discovery service (Primo VE), and locally maintained knowledgebases and systems. ECR is responsible for activating/deactivating, ordering, receiving, renewing, cataloging, verifying access, updating links, and managing databases in LibGuides A-Z Databases List, ensuring exposure in the discovery service. The Team performs a broad range of complex processes to create and maintain accurate data, and troubleshoots and resolves complex access problems. It collaborates with partners internally and externally and maintains excellent vendor relations.
Job Summary
Reporting directly to the Head of Electronic and Continuing Resources, the Electronic Resources and Serials Specialist performs complex tasks using specialized and technical knowledge to create and manage accurate data and resolve problems to ensure users have access to electronic resources. The position focuses on updating holdings, link checking, identifying and adding entitlements and collections of library purchases and subscriptions to the library management system and local systems. It also manages the LibGuides A-Z Databases List, troubleshooting and solving access issues. The Electronic Resources and Serials Specialist cultivates teamwork and collaborative relationships with other library departments, data suppliers and service providers to resolve issues and ensure access and collection needs are met, providing customer service to users regarding questions of access to electronic and continuing library resources. This position assumes responsibility for supervising student workers.
The successful candidate will work M-F, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and can have a Flexible Work Arrangement.
Essential Duties and responsibilities
- Support workflows for electronic and continuing resources access management, working closely with ECR Team members and others across the Libraries as it relates to serials and databases.
- Determine entitlements for library subscriptions and databases, ensuring they are adequately represented in the library management system (Alma), discovery service (Primo), and the LibGuides A-Z Databases List.
- Perform regular quality control checks of subscribed serials and databases within Alma, Primo, A-Z Databases List and locally maintained systems, ensuring accuracy and updating data.
- Investigate, troubleshoot, and resolve complex access issues discovered through vendor/publisher update reports and internal and external users related to linking issues, platform changes, technology upgrades, and off-campus access issues.
- Provide direct assistance to users and library staff for access issues that come through the ticketing system (LibAnswers) regarding electronic serials and databases.
- Create and update order records within Alma, using appropriate title, collection and bibliographic records.
- Apply metadata standards for accuracy in serials holdings.
- Develop and maintain excellent vendor and publisher relationships.
- Create and maintain documentation of workflow procedures to support efficiencies and improve service to users.
- Keep abreast of new developments and trends affecting electronic resources management by attending meetings, programs, workshops, and monitoring listservs.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Previous work experience in a library, especially an academic library.
- Experience using a library services platform as it relates to e-resources and serials management, such as Ex Libris' Alma or a comparable platform.
- Minimum of 1-2 years of relevant work experience.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to multi-task and determine priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently and as a member of a team.
- Proficient in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, etc.) and Google Suite.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills, problem-solving capability, flexibility, and ability to meet deadlines in a complex, dynamic, and diverse environment.
- Experience working in a changing environment, and adaptability to evolving technology and software upgrades.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to providing excellent customer service.
- Familiarity with electronic and continuing resources life cycle.
- Experience activating and troubleshooting electronic access and handling subscription-related problems in a knowledgebase.
- Experience in serials management processes.
- Familiarity with cataloging and metadata standards.
- Demonstrated ability to search and interpret information from multiple knowledge bases.
Position Details:
Department: University Libraries, Electronic & Continuing Resources
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1.0
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
VCU Job Title: Library Specialist (27211)
SOC: 2590990000
ORP Eligible: No