Library Assistant for Access and Collection Services

Position Summary:
The Library Assistant for Access and Collection supports the law library’s access and collection services 
functions, including document delivery, interlibrary loan, bibliographic records maintenance, physical 
collection maintenance, and collecting departmental data. This position collaborates with colleagues in 
other Vanderbilt libraries and the Law School on access and collection services and initiatives. The library 
assistant for public services position operates a Monday – Friday schedule starting at 7:30 a.m., with 
possible changes as needed during semester breaks or other staff vacations. The position reports to the Head 
of Access and Collection Services.

About the Work Unit:
The Alyne Queener Massey Law Library offers a broad range of expertise, resources and services that 
enable the Law School to carry out its program of legal education, and support scholarship and research.
The Access and Collection Services Department within the Alyne Queener Massey Law Library is 
responsible for the library’s document delivery service, interlibrary loan, circulation, stacks maintenance, 
manages record-keeping, discovery, processing, and distribution of all physical and electronic resources for 
the law library using the ExLibris Alma integrated library system. Functions include: assisting the library 
service desk, fulfillment, interlibrary loan, document delivery, collection maintenance, cataloging, serials 
and supplementation management. All duties are carried out as part of a collaborative team, where mutual 
support and shared responsibilities are key to our success.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery
• Coordinating the delivery of interlibrary loan materials loaned to other libraries outside of 
Vanderbilt; 
• Preparing items for shipment; 
• Downloading/scanning articles for electronic delivery; 
• Processing returns of requested items; 
• Monitoring overdue notices; 
• Coordinating with liaison librarians to fulfill document delivery requests; 
Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific 
role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on 
organizational and operational needs. 
• Retrieving materials from other campus libraries as needed; 
Library Spaces
• Providing support of law library’s service desk;
• Searching for missing books and assisting with stacks maintenance; 
Fulfillment
• Updating and managing user records;
• Updating and managing circulating material rules; 
• Ensuring that the University Libraries’ circulation policies are accurately reflected in the library’s 
integrated library system for law library’s materials and users.
Cataloging and Receiving
• Removing and updating holdings for all titles being added or withdrawn; 
• Receiving and processing journals, periodicals, loose-leaf supplements, advance sheets, revised 
volumes, and other supplementation materials, as needed;
• Distributing materials to professors and other interested parties as requested;
• Creating and editing serial predication patterns;
• Communicating with vendors and publishers regarding missing issues or supplementation 
problems.
• Drafting policies and procedures; 
Library Reserves
• Determining items to purchase for reserve collection; 
• Updating and maintaining reserve circulation policies;
• Working with Head of Access and Collection Services to ensure that reserve material records and 
policies are accurately reflected in the catalog.
Miscellaneous
• Triage reference questions to law liaison librarians; 
• Recording meaningful reference interactions into library’s assessment collection system;
• Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Relationships:
None
 

Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific 
role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on 
organizational and operational needs. 

Education and Certifications:
Minimum education preferred: B.A. or B.S. Degree
Experience and Skills:
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work well with others and to communicate effectively
• Proficiency with library catalog, library circulation systems, and ILLiad preferred.
• Strong analytic and problem-solving skills helpful.
• Requires lifting and carrying volumes and packages, walking to other campus libraries and pushing 
carts loaded with books.
Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:
Internal: Frequent contact with co-workers, various departments, staff, and faculty members to provide 
information and assistance
External: Frequent contact with external organizations to coordinate access for interlibrary loan, and to 
provide information and assistance
Student/Faculty/Patron: Regular contact with students, faculty, and library patrons to provide 
information and assistance