Job Description

Required:

• 5 years of library or relevant experience. College education can be substituted for experience on a year for year basis up to three years.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Experience providing service in a library setting.

Preferred:

• Experience with Interlibrary Loan management systems, including ILLiad and/or Rapido, and ILL policies and procedures.
• Experience with digital accessibility.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements (if applicable):

• Occasionally lifting and moving books and packages up to 30 pounds.

The Lending Library Assistant facilitates the end-to-end processing of interlibrary loan (ILL) and document delivery requests for the University of Minnesota community and partner institutions. Based partially at the Collection Facility, this role ensures timely access to stored materials and provides digitally accessible documents. Success in this role requires a high degree of technical precision, efficient collaboration, and a commitment to providing inclusive, accessible digital resources.

Work Schedule and Location: On campus 5 days a week, Monday - Friday

**This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Process Lending Requests (40%)

• Process lending requests in the interlibrary loan (resource sharing) management systems, verifying the lendability of collections and resources, fulfilling requests within 1-4 days. Search the library’s catalog and online databases to verify citations and the availability and location of materials. Apply problem-solving skills to verify bibliographic information using multiple bibliographic tools.
• Process outgoing physical materials, including updating request statuses, printing ship slips, bundling items, and generating shipping labels.
• Check-in of returned materials and collaborate with internal library units to streamline retrieval, scanning, and shipping operations.
• Stay up to date with BTAA and SHARES policies, ALA ILL code, ILLiad and Rapido updates, and other software and policy changes, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures.

Digital Accessibility and Digitization (40%)

• Execute quality, high-contrast scans of print materials for lending and document delivery, adhering to scanning standards, and deliver digitized content using resource sharing systems including ILLiad’s Odyssey, OCLC Article Exchange, and RapidILL.
• Utilize specialized software to produce accessible digital materials. Understands various digital accessibility needs and how to remediate or refer documents for complex accessibility remediation as needed.
• Train staff and students on digital accessibility software and best practices.

Check statuses, assist with customer service & borrowing requests (15%)

• Check the In Stacks Searching queue daily for any requests that are over 3 days old and not yet received and follow up as needed.
• Answer emails, telephone, chats regarding interlibrary loan policies and specific interlibrary loan & Digital Delivery requests.
• Educate and guide users in using Interlibrary Loan & Digital Delivery, including how to access these services via the interlibrary loan systems, web forms, and the Libraries’ various discovery tools.
• Assist with borrowing request processing, including searching and verifying requests, delivering local, open, and Digital Delivery scanned content, submitting requests to other libraries, and following up on questions from users.

Contribute to Libraries' Wide, Divisional, & Departmental Work, Projects, and Initiatives (5%)

• Regularly attends meetings and actively participates in discussions within the C&CS service area and in the Content Acquisition & Delivery department.
• Attend workshops, webinars, or classes relevant to the department and report back to other staff members on new and emerging trends or workflows.
• Volunteer for projects/assignments.
• Work collaboratively with other units in the service area and across the University of Minnesota Libraries and Minitex.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please attach the following documents in Word or PDF Format (DO NOT copy and paste.)

• Resume.
• Cover Letter.

Applications will begin being reviewed starting April 2, 2026.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

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