The Head of Access Services oversees all operations of the Access Services department including circulation, reserve, interlibrary loan, the public patron program, media services, as well as planning and overseeing projects involving the physical collections of the law library, including shelving material, shifting the collection, planning the layout of the collection, and monitoring the collection’s use and growth. The Head of Access Services is directly responsible for establishing, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures in the Access Services department.
Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Head of Access Services directly supervises 5 FTE staff members (4 full-time, 2 part-time) and indirectly as many as 15 student assistants; works closely with members of the Cataloging, Acquisitions, and Reference departments; and interacts with diverse groups and individuals outside of the library. Duties include but are not limited to
ADMINISTRATION OF ACCESS SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Supervision and Staff Development
- Supervises, mentors, and develops Access Services staff by providing assistance and setting an atmosphere that promotes effective work performance.
- Develops short- and long-term strategies for staff development and training.
- Makes final personnel decisions for the entire range of employment actions.
Circulation
- Oversees library circulation and reserve system, performs all circulation functions, processes notices and reports, resolves complex circulation problems, and assures documentation of policies and procedures and training staff.
- Establishes, evaluates, documents, and implements circulation policies in order to deliver needed research materials and to promote equitable access to library resources.
- Establishes, evaluates, documents, and implements interlibrary loan (ILL) policies in order to provide materials to other libraries through the ILL program; and coordinates with other departments as needed.
- Manages the library’s circulation (fulfillment) module in ALMA, which includes collaborating with the Systems Librarian to make necessary adjustments and improvements to local settings, as well as providing feedback on consortium level settings.
Library Access
- Works with library administration to establish hours of operations and access policies.
- Ensures that policies, hours, and other access information are correct on the library’s website.
- Serves as a contact point for people requesting access to the library and its services, and provides oversight of the library’s public patron program.
Physical Collection & Spaces
- Oversees the print collection, including reshelving, incorporating new materials, inventories, and collaborating to resolve collection issues or problems with other departments.
- Manages the planning of projects involving the physical aspects of law library’s print collection, including shelving, shifting, layout, and monitoring of collection use and growth.
- Manages the overall operation and functioning related to media services, including supervising the media and photocopy assistants, and training personnel for this area.
Planning & Statistics
- Develops and implements comprehensive plans, policies, and procedures for staff.
- Meets and collaborates with other library units and departments in order to solve complex problems and review procedures.
- Compiles and maintains statistics related to circulation, library use, and space as required by the ABA, ARL, US News, and other organizations or as needed for internal evaluation.
- Analyzes and interprets these statistics and other information to forecast trends and plan for events.
COLLABORATION WITH OUTSIDE DEPARTMENTS
Georgetown and Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC)
- Maintains a strong working relationship with the access services departments of other Georgetown libraries, especially to facilitate joint projects or services related to the library’s participation in the WRLC Consortium.
- Serves on WRLC Consortium committees or groups and maintains relationships with WRLC access librarians.
Law Center Departments
Meets and collaborates with other units and departments in order to solve complex problems and review procedures. Examples include: Public Safety to ensure access for visitors, alumni, visitors, and researchers seeking to access the library and its collection; and the Registrar’s office.
SERVICE AND CURRENT AWARENESS
- Participates in library committees and forums, search committees, and task forces to contribute to the over-all welfare of the library operations or to represent the unit.
- As needed, performs for other departments or sections as part of library-wide efforts in cross-training and personal development.
- Participates in professional organizations such as the American Association of Law Libraries, American Library Association, and the Law Librarians Society of the District of Columbia (LLSDC) as a representative of the library and to actively participate in the advancement and promotion of the librarian profession; and serves in various leadership capacities within these groups.
- Maintains current awareness of new technologies and library trends by following news sources and participating in workshops and classes.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Library or Information Science from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent
- At least three years of library experience
- Supervisory experience
- Strong service orientation
- Ability to work under pressure and to set priorities
- Integrated library systems experience (Alma preferred).
- Interlibrary loan systems experience
Preferred
- Juris Doctor from ABA-accredited institution or equivalent
- Law library experience
- Knowledge of legal materials
Need Assistance: If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please click here for more information, or contact the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Affirmative Action (IDEAA) at 202-687-4798 or ideaa@georgetown.edu.Need some assistance with the application process? Please call 202-687-2500. For more information about the suite of benefits, professional development and community involvement opportunities that make up Georgetown’s commitment to its employees, please visit the Georgetown Works website.
EEO Statement: Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation), disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Benefits: Georgetown University offers a wide variety of comprehensive and competitive benefits. Benefits packages include comprehensive health, dental and vision plans, disability and life insurance coverage, retirement savings programs, tuition assistance, voluntary insurance options (including group legal, accident, and critical illness), and much more. Whatever your need, the Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits will be standing by to support you. You can learn more about the benefits offered to eligible faculty and staff at https://benefits.georgetown.edu or view the online interactive benefits guide for more information.
About Us
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, offering a unique educational experience that prepares the next generation of global citizens to lead and make a difference in the world. We are a vibrant community of exceptional students, faculty, alumni and professionals dedicated to real-world applications of our research, scholarship, faith and service.Established in 1789, Georgetown is the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit University. Drawing upon the 450-year-old legacy of Jesuit education, we provide students with a world-class learning experience focused on educating the whole person through exposure to different faiths, cultures and beliefs. Students are challenged to engage in the world and become men and women in the service of others, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community.These values are at the core of Georgetown’s identity, binding members of the community across diverse backgrounds.
