University of California, Irvine Guidelines of Library Assistant Series LA I - LA V January 9, Series Concept

Transcription

1 University of California, Irvine Guidelines of Library Assistant Series LA I - LA V January 9, 1984 Series Concept Library Assistants perform and/or supervise technical and/or limited professional duties typically under the direction of a Librarian, in one or more functional areas in libraries and related units which are administered in accordance with the practices and techniques of professional librarianship; and perform related duties required. The term, technical, as it related to Library Assistant's duties indicates that incumbents perform duties which require knowledge of terminology, practices, systems, and procedures that is unique to a library setting. The term limited professional indicates that the incumbents use limited professional knowledge to perform duties characterized by increased difficulty and complexity, requiring frequent problem solving. Limited professional knowledge is defined as a high level of knowledge gained through experience in a specific area of librarianship without the theoretical base. The term unit is defined as a major division of the Library, such as a department. The term section is defined as one of several components in a unit, a small branch library, or the equivalent. Duties performed in the Library Assistant series cover a range of diverse but specific areas of operational responsibility within the library such as: Public service including circulation and information services; Processing including identifying and acquiring library materials, preparing library materials for use and conserving library materials; Specialized subject and language knowledge at a level necessary to assist in the process of developing and processing library collections; Leading or supervising employees in a section. Work performed by Library Assistants in the above areas of responsibility typically occurs within the following functional areas: Identification and acquisition of library materials; Preparation and organization of library materials; Preservation of library materials; Bibliographic searching and retrieval; Serials processing; 1

2 Circulation and lending; Reference and information services. Specific tasks performed include but are not limited to: ordering and receiving library materials, cataloging and classification, bibliographic searching, information services, circulation services, serials posting and claiming, processing of library records into machine-readable form, and maintenance and repair of library materials. The Library Assistant series consists of five levels which recognize increasing degrees of work difficulty, supervisory/managerial responsibility and/or specialization in functional areas depending on work assignments in one or more library units. The Library Assistant series differs from other classes in the clerical/administrative series in that the work performed requires knowledge which is unique to the library system. Library Assistants differ from Librarians in that Library Assistants focus primarily on tasks and functions within assigned areas of responsibility whereas the scope of the Librarians' responsibility involves the entire library, the community it serves and the profession as a whole. Library Assistants work within policy parameters established by Librarians. Library Assistant I Class Concepts Library Assistant I is the entry level. At this level the incumbent is typically under close supervision, and the work is less varied and complex than at the Library Assistant II level. The entry level may be used for training and for entry into the operational level. Positions may be assigned to this level on a continuing basis or may be used in an LA I/II continuum. The continuum means that the position is properly classified at the Library Assistant II level, and when the incumbent is performing fully at the LA II level following a training phase, the incumbent will be promoted to a Library Assistant II without the need for a job audit. The following concepts apply to the LA I level: 1. Follow prescribed procedures and instructions to perform clearly defined duties as described in the series concepts. 2. Work is subject to close and continuing review until standards and procedures are learned. 2

3 Library Assistant II Library Assistant II is the operational level. At the operational level the incumbent typically has the full range of skills and knowledge required to perform skilled work. Under supervision, the incumbent is usually responsible for the performance of a variety of duties. Work is performed independently with referral to procedures and guidelines. Situations not covered by guidelines are referred to the supervisor. The following concepts apply. 1. Basic knowledge of library policies and procedures is required. Basic knowledge is defined as an understanding of common terminology through basic education or experience, sufficient to understand and follow written codes and manuals used in technical functions at this level. 2. Perform technical duties. The term "technical" indicates that incumbents perform duties which require knowledge of terminology, practices, systems and procedures that are unique in a library setting. 3. Assignments defined in terms of: a) functional areas within the unit, b) nature of the problem identified, c) specific objectives defined in a consultation with supervisors. 4. Written code or manual used. 5. Work within established guidelines to arrive at solution. 6. Exercise judgment to determine applicability of guidelines to specific problems. 7. Work subject to review when performed outside guidelines. Library Assistant III Library Assistant III is the advanced operational and beginning limited professional level. At the advanced operational level the incumbent, under general supervision, typically performs complex duties requiring the use of skills beyond the operational level. The following concepts apply. 1. Perform specialized duties requiring limited professional library skills and technical library skills at the advanced operational level. These duties typically do not required the application of academic training in the library principles and procedures at the full professional level. 2. General knowledge of library practices and procedures is required. This is defined as a broad knowledge of library practices, procedures, and terminology acquired through substantive training and/or education in one or more functional areas sufficient to perform within established guidelines. 3. Work is characterized by increased difficulty and complexity and requires frequent problem solving. 3

4 4. Assignments may be defined in terms of functional area specialty or subject area specialty. Work is now performed within limits set by guidelines of the library section. 5. Work is subject to review when solution of problem involves new application of established guidelines. In addition to sections 1-5 above, one or both of the following concepts may apply. 6. May serve as work leaders in complex library section performing the more difficult tasks in the section and assigning and reviewing work performed by lower-level employees. 7. May supervise a single-functional section. Assigns and reviews work. Hires, evaluates performances, and indicates disciplinary action. Library Assistant IV Library Assistant IV is the middle range of the limited professional level. Under direction, incumbents perform complex, technical duties of a limited professional nature in prescribed areas. The LA IV level is distinguished from the LA III level by a requirement for broader knowledge and more independent interpretation and application of rules, precedents, and guidelines. Library Assistants at this level typically work under direction as subject specialists, functional specialists, special material experts, or supervisors of multifunctional library sections. Subject Specialist possess substantial subject and/or language background, and in the areas of special knowledge, apply their expertise in support of the acquisition, processing, and use of library materials Functional Specialists posses substantial knowledge and background in a particular library function and apply their expertise in expediting the acquisition, use, and processing of library materials. Special Materials Experts have responsibility for selection, acquisition, cataloging and servicing of library materials which require specialized knowledge to handle, such as maps, government documents or media. Supervisors of Multifunctional Sections have assigned responsibility for representing their sections to library department heads, faculty, students, staff, and the general public, in addition to managing the activities of their sections. A multifunctional section is one in which the supervisor is responsible for at least three (3) dissimilar functions or services. One or more the following concepts apply: 4

5 1. Perform difficult specialized duties which require frequent independent application of limited professional knowledge of library policies and procedures. 2. Has supervisory responsibility for a multifunctional library section or the equivalent which frequently requires the determination of procedures, methods, and policy applications; preparation of reports and policy recommendations; and participation in long-range planning for departmental administrative needs within overall goals of the administrative unit. 3. Assignments are defined in terms of a functional area or specialized subject matter field. Library Assistant V Library Assistant V is the top of the limited professional level. Under general direction of the librarian, work performed is characterized by the broadest scope of knowledge and independent interpretation of rules, precedents, and guidelines. Work performed at this level is distinguished from the of the Library IV by the greater scope of coordinating responsibilities or by the performance of more complex specialized duties which require more frequent independent application for limited professional knowledge of library practices and procedures. In additional to the concepts described for the LA IV level, one or both of the following concepts apply: 1. Coordinates activities in the operation of a complex library unit. A complex library unit is one which has several sections performing discrete functions. Coordination of activities includes decision-making responsibility for daily operations of the unit. Actions and decisions are not routinely subject to supervisory review or other kinds of checking. Exercises initiative in planning and implementation and selects methods and procedures within a general framework of policies and precedents. 2. Performs the most complex duties of a limited professional nature in a functional or a highly specialized subject area. Most complex duties are those which require analysis, evaluation, adaptive thinking, or judgement and are varied, nonrouting, or non-standardized. These same qualities typically characterize the level of the external and internal working relationships of these positions. A highly specialized subject area is on which requires specialized academic preparation, knowledge, training, or skills and requires expertise which enable the incumbent to make a unique contribution to the operation of the unit. 5