Collections Assistant III

Collections Assistant III

The Opportunity

This position supports the South Asia Librarian, Area Team Lead, and Asia Collections librarians in managing and maintaining library collections. Responsibilities include assisting with collection development, providing reference services, supporting cataloging activities, and ensuring collections remain organized and accessible.

About Asia Collections

The South Asia Collection sits within the Asia Collections in Kroch Library as part of the Cornell University Library. The Asia Collections also include the Charles W. Wason Collection on East Asia, the John M. Echols Collection on Southeast Asia and the Middle East and Islamic Studies Collection. Asia Collections staff work closely with the Area Team to develop the library’s international collections and collaborate with other library departments to process and provide access to the collections. Cornell is widely regarded as having one of the largest and most significant collections of Asian historical and literary materials in North America.

Key Responsibilities

• Search library catalogs, OCLC, and online databases to identify duplicate titles, earlier editions, missing volumes, and materials for purchase.

• Research vendors, compare prices, and assist with purchasing materials for the South Asia Collection.

• Submit purchase orders to Library Technical Services (LTS) under the direction of the librarian.

• Identify cataloging errors and direct problem items to the appropriate LTS staff.

• Assist with cataloging, fast-cataloging, and record accuracy checks based on training and language skills.

• Prepare non-Western language serials by transliterating names, dates, and issue numbers.

• Respond to routine bibliographic, directional, and basic subject reference questions.

• Help patrons locate library materials and research resources.

• Maintain office files, paperwork, and correspondence records for vendors and patrons.

• Maintain South Asia Collection account records and assist with fund management.

• Generate monthly, quarterly, and annual reports on material fund expenditures.

• Assist the Area Team Lead with monitoring team funds and troubleshooting fund-related issues.

• Serve as a liaison to FOLIO Reporting for the Area Team.

What We Need

For further consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter.

• Associate's degree and up to 2 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.

• Familiarity with standard office software and basic office procedures.

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to multitask, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt creatively to new situations.

• Strong attention to detail and thoroughness when reviewing catalog records and searching databases.

• Familiarity with online public access catalogs (OPAC) and OCLC.

• Ability to maintain accurate records, manage administrative tasks, and support multiple projects and team priorities.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it’s ok if you don’t.

• Familiarity with South Asian languages and scripts highly desirable.

This is a part-time, 29 hour per week, position that is based in Ithaca, NY and fully on-site. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm. The final schedule will be established in collaboration with the supervisor.

Rewards and Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.

• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell

• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell

• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:

Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

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