Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Swarthmore College Libraries cultivate scholarship and intellectual curiosity in our community through access to collections, expertise, and spaces. In collaboration with our academic partners, we teach the craft of research and foster a critical understanding of the contexts in which knowledge is developed and disseminated. For more information, see the Swarthmore College Libraries website.

The opportunity:

The Access and User Services Specialist (Limited Term) is a member of the team-based operation of McCabe Library’s Access and User Services (A&US) department responsible for ensuring patron access to library collections, services, and facilities. The Specialist provides excellent customer service through responding to requests, informational queries, and through supervision of student workers. As a member of the department, the Specialist provides input into departmental policies and ensures their implementation.

This temporary position for the Swarthmore College Libraries will work at McCabe Library to assist in the day-to-day operations and customer support for the Libraries. The temporary position will be needed for 35 hours per week, Fri-Tue, during the Spring 2025 semester, and will be the sole staff member on duty Saturdays (all day) and Sundays before 6pm. The work schedule for this position is as follows:

Sun: 10:00am-6:00pm

Mon-Thu: 8:30am-4:30pm on two fixed days of applicant’s choice (other two days off)

Fri: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Sat: 10:00am-6:00pm

Essential Responsibilities

Student Supervision

• Assigns student employees tasks and supervises their work. As part of the A&US team, trains student employees in use of the libraries’ catalog, software, call number systems, basic equipment (scanners, printers), routine operations, and general library knowledge - stressing accuracy and courteous customer service.
• Provides regular informal feedback on job performance and reports serious issues to the department Head.

Patron Services, Service Points, & Policy

• Provides a range of services to assist and support the library’s college community and external clientele, including facilitating access/lending of the library’s materials while maintaining consistent adherence to library policies.
• Responsible for opening and/or closing the library with the assistance of student workers.
• Assists patrons in their use of public technology, the wireless network, and other library equipment. This includes responding to support initial troubleshooting of patron requests.
• Provides the highest level of customer service, exercising professional judgment to reconcile patron disputes in order to maintain a balance between the library’s needs/priorities/policies and patron satisfaction. Overall, the Specialist will respond thoughtfully to patrons’ directional, informational, and basic reference queries.
• Facilitates equal access to library services, equipment, and collections for patrons according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. May include assisting with specialized software/hardware, and retrieving materials.
• Updates and maintains patron data in Alma (Tripod), the integrated library system, to ensure records are accurate and current.

Stacks Maintenance

• Jointly coordinates under the guidance of senior department staff various stacks maintenance processes to ensure that collections are shelved according to the Library of Congress classification system or other schema utilized in the libraries.
• Identifies materials in need of repair, replacement, or restricted access.
• Ensures fulfillment of Tri-College daily requests; tracks and resolves a range of problems such as lost materials, recalls, and errors in paging.

Facility Management & Security

• Assists with maintenance and support of specialized equipment including public computers, microform hardware, scanner, self-checkout stations, and video equipment.
• Places service requests with Facilities (or Public Safety after hours) regarding any malfunction in the building.
• Ensures a safe and secure library environment for patrons, staff and collections and immediately contacts Public Safety regarding behaviors, theft or unusual occurrences or emergencies that may pose a threat to safety and security.
• Exercises good judgment in determining potential risks and mitigating those within his/her own capacity.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Co-supervises 40+ student employees (12 FTE)

Who you are:

• Demonstrated familiarity with using a library.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• 1-2 years’ experience in a position which routinely interacts with clients.
• Good working knowledge of Macintosh and/or Windows environments and basic applications software, including word processing, email, and Web browsers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Library work experience
• Experience with using Alma integrated library systems and/or experience with using other DBMS.
• Experience working in an academic setting.
• Supervisory experience.

Physical Demands

• Occasionally needs to move or lift heavy boxes and book carts.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations, including a resume and cover letter, by January 3rd, 2025. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled.

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.