Library Research Assistant Jobs in Springfield, IL

Location : Springfield, IL
Job Type: Faculty
Job Number: 2402171
Department: Medical Library-SMS
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Shift: Days
ExemptorNon_Exempt: Exempt
SMS/SWS#: 3815
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Description
The Head of Technical Services and Collection Development is responsible for the identification, acquisition, organization, and access to scholarly and institutional resources that support the School of Medicine's educational, research, clinical care, and community service missions. This position directs the Library's Technical Services Department, including cataloging, acquisitions, electronic resources, collection development, etc. This position works closely with the Museum Director and Institutional Archivist, helping to direct the archives-related work of that position. This position collaborates with other departments to ensure the library purchases and has access to resources needed in curricular, research, and clinical environments. In close partnership with the Library Director, this position helps shape the library's strategic priorities and fosters collaboration among library units and with nonlibrary departments.
*This Position is ON SITE only*
Examples of Duties
ADMINISTRATION 45%
A. Supervises, leads, mentors, and evaluates staff in the Technical Services Department and provides ongoing professional development, cross-training, and mentoring to build a sustainable, well-functioning team.
B. Assesses organizational structure, staffing levels, departmental procedures, and workflows to identify gaps and opportunities for enhancement. Advises on the creation of new positions and develops new position descriptions as needed to meet departmental needs. Recruits, hires, onboards, and trains new Technical Services staff.
C. Shapes the strategic priorities of the Technical Services Department and develops policies, procedures, and workflows for acquisitions, cataloging, collection development, serials, electronic resources, interlibrary loan, weeding and deselection, journal binding, stacks maintenance, and other technical services functions in alignment with library and institutional priorities.
D. Supervises compilation of statistics and preparation of reports for the Technical Services Department. Contributes to library-wide reports, as requested. Compiles annual statistics reported to outside organizations, as needed.
E. Monitors all areas of the Department to ensure quality of operations.
F. Plans, organizes, and implements special projects.
G.Assumes responsibility for library staff and employee attendance when Director is unavailable.
H. Prepares budgetary projections; monitors revenues and expenditures and makes budgetary recommendations to the Library Director.
I. Works closely with the Library Director to help develop and implement the library's strategic priorities, and fosters collaboration and communication between Technical Services, Archives, and other library units, as well as with non-library departments across the School and University.
ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
A Co-supervises the Museum Director and Institutional Archivist, providing direction and support for the
archives-related responsibilities of that position.
B. Coordinates with the Museum Director and Institutional Archivist to establish priorities, policies and
procedures for the acquisition, arrangement, description, and use of archival holdings.
C. Oversees acquisition and organization of institutionally generated resources that appropriately reside in the school's archives and institutional repositories. Works with the Institutional Archivist to establish priorities for the processing, cataloging, and digitization of archival materials to improve discovery and access.
D. Fosters collaboration between Archives, Technical Services, and other Library units to ensure archives services are integrated with the library's broader operations and strategic priorities.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE 25%
A Identifies, evaluates, selects, and manages a collection of scholarly resources in all formats. Considers
methods of access, user preferences, usage statistics, and budget in decision making.
B. Identifies electronic resources for consideration, establishes product trials for evaluation, manages license and contract terms related to electronic resources, and administers and troubleshoots resources linked within the integrated library system, website, and link resolver.
C. Promotes open access initiatives and works with faculty to reserve author rights and deposit works into the institutional repository and other required repositories.
D. Maintains effective business relationships with and knowledge of vendors, publishers, and other content or service providers.
E. Consults with School faculty, staff, residents, and students to develop collections that support the work of the institution.
F. Oversees binding of print journals and theses/ dissertations.
G. Maintains accurate holdings records (print and electronic) in ALMA, Docline, OCLC, and elsewhere as needed.
H. Manages the library's electronic access management system, OpenAthens. Creates accounts, deletes or modifies expired accounts, ensures resources are activated, and troubleshoots access issues.
I. Acts as Liaison to CARLI (Consortium of Research Libraries in Illinois) to manage and communicate CARLI initiatives, harvest annual CARLI statistics, complete surveys, and report access/ ALMA/Ex Libris problems.
J. Coordinates gifts and donations and provides documentation for donors as needed.
Teaching 15%
A. Serves as the library's specialist on scholarly communications and provides instruction on copyright, authors' rights, and scholarly communication topics related to publishing and the institutional repository.
B. Develops classes, workshops, and training sessions on using library resources, responsible research methods, archival research, and other areas of interest or need.
C. Provides training and orientation to library staff on new resources and/or when new features are added to existing resources.
D. Supervises and mentors library and information science practicum students, interns, or volunteers assigned to Technical Services.
E. Provides instruction on the use of archival and rare book materials for Medical Humanities, history of medicine, or other relevant curricular or research activities, in coordination with the Museum Director and Institutional Archivist.
Research 10%
A. Pursues research interests in biomedical librarianship or related areas.
B. Develops research projects and contributes to the scholarship of the profession through presentations and publications.
C. Conducts and publishes research on technical services operations, collection management, or archives administration to contribute evidence-based practice to the profession.
D. Collaborates with School faculty and other researchers on bibliometric, scholarly communication, or research impact studies, as appropriate.
E.Mentors and supports library staff engaged in research or scholarly projects, fostering a culture of inquiry within the Technical Services Department.
Other Professional Activities 5%
A. Represents the library at local, state, regional, and national meetings.
B. Serves on appropriate SIU-SOM departmental, school, and university committees.
C. Reads professional literature and remains current with developments in the field.
D. Collaborates with other SIU libraries, Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) members, and affiliated hospital libraries.
E. Maintains awareness of professional standards and best practices in archives, rare books, preservation, electronic resources, and other areas related to library technical services.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
A. Completion of a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from an American Library Association accredited school.
B. Five years of experience in library technical services, collections, archives, or scholarly communications.
C. Three years of supervisory experience, including experience hiring, training, and developing staff.
D. Experience with e-resources systems, licensing, and link resolvers.
E. Experience with cataloging print and electronic resources.
F. Knowledge of the principles of library technical services, scholarly communications, and archives administration.
G. Excellent oral, written and analytical communication skills.
H. Demonstrated ability to solve problems and work collaboratively in a team environment.
I. Experience with integrated library systems.
J. Sensitive to the needs of underrepresented minority populations.
Desirable Qualifications
A. Experience building or developing library departments, including position design, recruitment, and staff development.
B. Experience working in Academic Medical Libraries or familiarity with biomedical resources.
C. Previous experience with archives, rare books, or special collections. Knowledge of archival and preservation standards and practices (e.g., DACS, EAD, environmental controls for rare and fragile materials).
Supplemental Information
The budgeted annual salary range is $87,000 to $95,700. The final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.
If you require assistance, please contact the Office of Human Resources at or call 217-545-0223 Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm.
The mission of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is to optimize the health of the people of central and southern Illinois through education, patient care, research and service to the community.
The SIU School of Medicine Annual Security Report is available online at This report contains policy statements and crime statistics for Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. This report is published in compliance with Federal Law titled the
"Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act."
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer who provides equal employment and educational opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status or marital status in accordance with local, state and federal law.
Pre-employment background screenings required.
Paid time off: Includes 12 paid holidays per year. Accrual rates vary based on employment type and years of service
Paid sick time: Use for personal illness, doctor visits, or if your immediate family members fall ill
Health, Dental, and Life insurance
Optional life insurance: Your spouse and dependents can enroll in State term life and university-sponsored term life insurance.
Prescription: Plan participants enrolled in any state health plan have prescription drug benefits included in the coverage.
Long-term Disability Insurance
Flexible spending accounts: Optional, IRS tax-favored program that enables you to stretch medical expenses and dependent care dollars
Voluntary retirement accounts: Optional plans include the State of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan (457) and Tax Deferred Annuity (403b).
Tuition Waiver/Tuition Reimbursement: Continue your graduate or undergraduate education with the help of tuition waivers or tuition reimbursement
Leaves of absence: Includes FMLA and Extended Sick Leave Benefits for qualified employees
Employee Assistance Program: Access free and confidential support, including counseling services, and information during difficult times
For more information please visit