Job Description
The SolarSPELL initiative at ASU is currently seeking a motivated Library Information Specialist, Lead to join our small but high-performing team and assist with overseeing the digital library repository for the Solar Powered Educational Learning Library (SolarSPELL) Initiative. This individual will work closely and collaboratively with diverse groups of stakeholders to plan, collect, curate, create, revise, and keep up-to-date the multiple versions of the SolarSPELL library collections.
The SolarSPELL initiative’s mission is to increase educational opportunities around the world by providing relevant, localized, digital educational content, through a solar-powered offline digital library, to resource-constrained locations that may lack electricity, Internet connectivity, and/or traditional libraries. By partnering and working with education- and training-focused organizations globally, including the US Peace Corps,, we are able to localize the content of the libraries and provide training and ongoing support for SolarSPELL users, many of whom are using a library, or digital technology, for the first time.
The SolarSPELL libraries encompass a wide array of educational topics, with key features such as regional localization, customized content to address specific information needs, and open-access materials. With SolarSPELL's recent expansion into health and agricultural libraries for resource-limited areas, the successful candidate can anticipate involvement in these sectors.
The SolarSPELL initiative at ASU has the attitude of a start-up social enterprise operating within the New American University (ASU). As part of the no. 1 ranked most innovative university in the US, a SolarSPELL team member possesses a hands-on, “roll-up-the-sleeves” mentality and thrives in a “do what it takes” culture. S/he must enjoy the challenge of juggling multiple priorities and donning multiple hats while working in a team-oriented, strategic, collaborative and inventive manner.
Our team includes university students, faculty and staff, and our model involves partnering with locally-based development-minded organizations. We provide local training to our in-field implementation partners, in a train-the-trainers model, as well as ongoing support post-implementation. To measure SolarSPELL’s impact and facilitate process improvement, we conduct on-site research and evaluation. This feedback from implementation partners and local community members is directly incorporated into updated library versions.
Job Family
Library & Museum
Department Name
Sch Future of Innov in Society
Full-Time/Part-Time
Full-Time
VP Code
EXEC VP/PROVOST
Scope of Search
Open
Grant Funded Position
This is not a grant funded position and is not contingent on future grant funding.
Salary Range
$42,419 - $65,000 per year; DOE
Close Date
10-October-2024
Category
02
Essential Duties
- Provides reference assistance to patrons using both electronic and traditional tools within established standards; refers questions to appropriate resource as determined.
- Monitors and responds to ILL and document delivery requests; locates, scans, and places articles for electronic access; works closely with faculty to place and remove materials on Course Reserve, establishes course number in Millennium, and attaches book(s) to course list in accordance with established copyright standards; creates bibliographic record and associated processing activities for personal items.
- Performs shelf reading, cleaning, and shifts; retrieves materials and items on hold from shelves, sorts and re-shelves to ensure maintenance of collection in call number sequence.
- Researches and resolves identified collection issues; refers holding information problems, errors and/or omissions for corrections; updates item records to reflect current status of materials
- Assists patrons in person, electronically and by phone by providing policy interpretation, directions and referral information; screens and/or handles complaints referring more complex issues as appropriate.
- Processes requests of new materials ordered for the collection; notifies bibliographic unit of receipt and/or changes to status of holdings; maintains statistics of daily activities and services
- Completes maintenance and notification activities associated with a variety of library notices to patrons to ensure timely response to requests; researches and resolves missing items and/or shipped items.
- Negotiates fines, reconciles accounts, monitors and maintains borrowing/overdue fines and collects fees for community access cards.
- Performs circulation activities through online system including, but not limited to: check in/out materials, retrieve materials from book drops and return areas, process items in accordance with system requirements; retrieve books from shelves to assist patrons.
- Related Functions: Conduct content needs assessments based on current library resources
- Reviews existing library resources to tag and catalog in accordance with established standards
- Manages and oversees content additions to existing library versions
- Reviews, vets, and resolves any issues related to content curated by ASU students and field partners
- Ensures that there are no duplicate materials, preserve consistency of labeling and cataloging materials
- Inputs new curated content into the appropriate library management software
- Oversees creation of new library versions, establish parameters for curating content appropriate to the region, user age range, and reading level
- Curates content to meet specific region/subject matter needs
- Engages in ongoing education and research to remain current on copyright standards and open-access materials
- Designs and leads content curation, copyright, and cultural awareness workshops for new SolarSPELL members
- Leads student and volunteer teams assisting in library curation
- Analyzes statistical data from library usage tracking software, and report key findings to guide revisions to existing library versions
- Assists in specialized administrative or technical projects as assigned
- Maintains consistent communication with SolarSPELL team and ASU libraries
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree AND 4 years prior library experience; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Desired Qualifications
- Evidence of Peace Corps or international experience is a plus
- Experience cataloging and metadata tagging digital content
- Knowledge of copyright standards
- Working experience with open access materials preferred
- Experience curating audience-specific content (content for targeted age range, reading level, and localized resources based on region)
- Ability to work independently, detail-oriented approach
- Ability to think critically and provide solutions to issues as they arise
- Evidence of communication skills
- Additional language skills a plus
Working Environment
- Some activities are performed in a regular, climate controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, standing, and walking
- Lift up to 25 pounds
- Communicate to perform essential duties
- Receive regular review of completed tasks
- May oversee assignments to student workers to ensure timely completion and/or to provide guidance or assistance to questions
- Work primarily done on a computer using multiple software programs.
- Possibility of international travel exists, depending upon employee’s interests and availability
Department Statement
The School for the Future of Innovation in Society (SFIS) recognizes that
- Innovation is a complex system in which both social and technical elements and their interactions are crucial in creating desired outcomes;
- Knowledge – its creation, its dissemination, and its validation – is an essential component to addressing contemporary challenges; and
- Future-making needs to be a more interdisciplinary, more anticipatory, and more democratic practice.
The mission of SFIS will be to develop and extend these ideas. We will bring these ideas and the content, skills and dispositions that surround them to new audiences, through new modes of instruction, and at a larger scale. In particular, the School will refine its instruction to address the needs of particular audiences in particular careers and career stages. SFIS is launching with a set of already-existing graduate degree programs, including the PhD in Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology (HSD) and the PhD in Innovation in Global Development (IGD), the Master of Science in Global Technology and Development (GTD), and the Master of Future in Design (FID), as well as BA/BS/Minor in Innovation in Society.
ASU Statement
Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco
Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
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Employment Verification Statement
ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
Background Check Statement
ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.
Instructions to Apply
Application deadline is 3:00PM Arizona time on the date indicated.
Please include all employment information in month/year format (e.g., 6/88 to 8/94), job title, job duties and name of employer for each position.
Resume should clearly illustrate how prior knowledge and experience meets the Minimum and Desired qualifications of this position.
ASU does not pay for travel expenses associated with interviews, unless otherwise indicated.
Only electronic applications are accepted for this position.
IMPORTANT NOTE: What is the meaning of “equivalent combination” in the minimum qualifications? It means one year of higher education or 24 credit hours, is equal to one year of experience. For example, a four year Bachelor’s degree is equal to four years of experience.