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Senior Library Specialist - University Library
Hiring Department: University Library
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1041679
FTE: 1
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Shift: Days
# of Positions: 1
Workplace Type: Hybrid
Posting Close Date: July 6, 2026
Salary Range (commensurate with experience): $31.20 - 33.11 / Hourly Wage
About the University of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent "Best Colleges" rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has nearly 260,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The Senior Library Specialist (SLS) serves as a resource for complex acquisitions and cataloging functions, including electronic monographs and serials. Responsibilities include ordering and payment processing, copy cataloging using various metadata standards and classification schemes, identifying and correcting cataloging problems in the global (OCLC) database, providing access, and performing local record maintenance. The Senior Library Specialist responds to inquiries from Daley and LHS library staff, provides training and consultation, and independently researches and resolves complex bibliographic and acquisitions problems.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Acquisition Functions

• Perform pre-order searching of electronic orders for bibliographic verification prior to regular and highly complex ordering and receipt of monographic and serial electronic resources.
• Input, update, and maintain highly complex electronic and foreign acquisitions data in Library databases, as well as simple routine domestic acquisitions data. Activate links to make electronic resources available to users.
• Assist with managing the workflow of ordering, renewing, and payment for resources, foreign and complex domestic orders, including the creation of purchase orders and invoices for acquisitions within the library acquisitions system.
• Assist with the annual renewal of electronic serials with EBSCO and works with selectors to coordinate timely, accurate placement of orders.
• Analyze and respond to complex queries internally as well as with foreign and domestic vendors, and delegate questions to staff as appropriate.
• Analyze status reports from vendors for foreign and domestic orders.
• Identify new titles, title changes, titles without order records for renewals or processing.

Cataloging and Database Maintenance Functions

• Create brief bibliographic records for electronic resources for eventual overlay in record loads.
• Make complex adaptations to bibliographic data available in the OCLC database to create local records for all formats, including materials in foreign languages.
• Verify bibliographic accuracy of Shelf Ready titles that have been imported into the local database. Identify, correct and update problem records.
• Search the authority files of OCLC for subject, name and series titles verification.
• Interpret and apply metadata standards, including Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) codes, OCLC Bibliographic
• Formats and Standards, Resource Description and Access (RDA), and the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR).
• Monitor electronic resources listserv and troubleshooting queries.
• Perform other complex related duties and participates in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required:
1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
A. work experience in a library or equivalent setting.
B. college course work in any field as measured by the following conversion table:

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
• Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
• Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

3. A total of two (2) years (24 months) work experience in a library or equivalent setting performing progressively more responsible work consistent with the next lower level of this series.
To Apply: For fullest consideration click on the Apply Now button, please fully complete all sections of the onlineapplication including adding your full work history with specific details of your duties & responsibilities for each position held. Fully complete the education, licensure, certification and language sections. You may upload a resume, cover letter, certifications, licensures, transcripts and diplomas within the application.
Please note that once you have submitted your application you will not be able to make any changes. In order to revise your application you must withdraw and reapply. You will not be able to reapply after the posting close date. Please ensure the application is fully completed and all supporting documents have been uploaded before the posting close date. Illinois Residency is required within 180 days of employment.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.