Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 2950

Job Profile

CUPE 2950 Salaried - Pub Svc Library Asst 2 (Gr4)

Job Title

Circulation Assistant (Evenings & Weekends)

Department

UBC Library I David Lam Library | UBC Sauder School of Business

Compensation Range

$4,281.00 - $4,386.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

April 3, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Ongoing

This position is in-person only at UBC David Lam Library.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

UBC Sauder School of Business is one of the world’s leading business faculties. The school consistently ranks among the top 100 in the world and is recognized internationally for excellence in research and learning, an outstanding faculty and unmatched global partnerships. A collaborative and respectful culture within which all members of our community can thrive is a key principle in our strategic plan, and one that underpins our educational mission.

We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at the Vancouver Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Musqueam. We acknowledge that UBC Sauder at UBC Robson Square is situated on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh.

The David Lam Management Research Library (DLam) and Canaccord Learning Commons (CLC) is an integrated unit providing collections, technology, facilities and services to UBC Sauder and other UBC undergraduate and graduate students, faculty employees and community members. As a part of a vibrant and active unit, that reports to both UBC Library and the UBC Sauder School of business, the CLC delivers academic co-curricular programs, collaborative and silent study spaces, equipment lending, and access to specialized technology and lab spaces to support UBC Sauder students in achieving academic success and developing career-ready skills.

The Circulation Assistant provides moderately complex public services in the circulation of library materials and equipment to users. Provides basic to moderately complex work related to Information Services and public service patron requests, including responding to basic, directional, or moderately complex queries, referring appropriately, providing routine assistance, and technology and equipment troubleshooting to users.

The Circulation Assistant performs moderately complex work in support of collections and stacks maintenance. It contributes to and assists in the maintenance and appearance of the facilities.

The role is responsible for library opening and closing procedures, specifically on evenings and weekends.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Head of the David Lam Library. Works under the day-to-day supervision of the Course Reserves and Circulation Desk Supervisor. May be assigned duties by the Reference Librarians. Interacts and communicates with other employees, student workers and librarians within the unit and in other UBC Library branches and units. Provides services to UBC and UBC Sauder students, faculty, and employees. Interacts with members of the public, other departments on campus, external service providers and vendors, as well as couriers, building operations, and campus security.

Work Performed

Circulation, Public, and Information Services

• Performs moderately complex work at the Circulation Desk; charges and discharges library and learning commons’ materials and equipment; checks returned materials for holds, damage and completeness; places holds, traces, recalls, and storage requests; processes rush cataloguing requests; modifies patron records; assists patrons in completing processes related to equipment lending, guest IDs, and other activities related to access.
• Provides routine assistance to library and learning commons’ patrons, in-person, over the phone and via email; answers directional, known item, basic, and general information requests regarding library and learning commons’ holdings, programs, and services; demonstrates how to navigate UBC Library catalogue and website as well as other relevant websites; interprets patron and/or circulation records; demonstrates booking of study rooms; accepts and responds to queries on library and learning commons’ policies and procedures; interprets, explains and enforces library and learning commons’ policies and procedures; refers in-depth or complex queries to librarians or other units, as appropriate; monitors the CLC Help Desk email.
• Operates copiers and printers, and assists, instructs and resolves problems for library and learning commons’ users related to printing/copying technology; performs routine maintenance and troubleshooting in the Pay for Print process, including placing service calls and working with service personnel to solve maintenance problems.
• Operates, assists, and provides basic troubleshooting of equipment, computer hardware, software, and connectivity problems for library and learning commons’ users; explains set up of items from the equipment lending pool.
• Assists in maintaining appearance and environment of the unit; participates in regular rounds.
• Regularly tidies library and learning commons spaces, including labs and outdoor patios; pushes in chairs, discards trash left on tables or in rooms, and cleans white boards, public computer monitors, photocopier glass, keyboards and mice with appropriate cleaners.
• Performs library opening and closing procedures as scheduled, ensuring library is ready for operation and/or ensuring library is clear of patrons, and that cash, equipment and premises are secure.
• Follows established procedures and exercises judgement in dealing with all problems and/or emergencies that may occur when working alone or on weekends/evenings.
• Monitors and performs moderately complex tasks related to the room booking system.
• Operates cash register; cashes out of cash register each evening.

Collections, Maintenance, Access and Processing

• Performs moderately complex duties related to stacks maintenance including shelving, straightening, shelf reading and shelf cleaning; contributes to collections maintenance, including dusting and vacuuming books and shelves, and processing and transporting materials.
• Performs duties related to collections including transfers, moves, weeding, withdrawals and discards; assists with general organization of the collection including shifting materials to accommodate growth and planned moves of library materials.
• Assists librarians with monograph acquisition by checking in the catalogue, summon or other relevant sources for possible duplication of titles in pre-order lists.
• Assists with the routine preparation of library materials, such as tattle-taping, barcoding, pamphlet binding, spine-labelling, stamping, etc.
• Enters circulation and processing data into UBC Library systems.
• Checks library holdings for duplicates, missing volumes, damaged items.
• Creates brief bibliographic holding and item records using templates, as needed.
• Serves as backup in retrieving and copying document delivery and interlibrary loan request materials.
• Investigates access problems as they arise (broken links, Report a problem); checks links on unit subject guides and web page, as needed.

Administrative and Other Duties

• Adheres to UBC Library and DLam library policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• May explain work procedures and train new, inexperienced, or temporary/student employees on work procedures related to this role. Oversees the work of student employees at the front service desk when scheduled to work with them.
• Shares input and insights on branch policies; participates in the development of projects, plans, and procedures.
• Participates in performing regular safety checks; at end of shift ensures that patio doors and external doors are locked; locks door leading to the staff and librarian only area.
• Participates in project work as workload permits, as assigned by librarians.
• Performs other duties related to the requirements and qualifications of the job, carries out essential duties of the PSLA colleagues during vacations, and other absences, as assigned.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Work is monitored to ensure adherence to established work policies. Tasks are clearly defined and unusual problems are referred to the supervisor. Independent action is sometimes required during evening and weekend shifts, but work is usually performed according to established policies and procedures involving freedom to select which methods are applicable in any given situation. There are frequent opportunities to exercise judgement with respect to provision of information services, operations, and other issues. Errors in judgement with relation to patron interaction would affect the quality of service and the image of the Library. Consequence of error would affect the quality of service to the university community, could result in financial loss to the Library, a poor public image, and/or negatively affect the learning and research outcomes of students and faculty members. Error of judgement in emergencies could result in delays or an escalation of the situation. Failure to secure the library could leave the building, the collection and its users vulnerable.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Head Librarian, David Lam Library and Canaccord Learning Commons, who also conducts performance reviews. Works independently under general supervision. Receives daily supervision and direction from the Course Reserves and Circulation Supervisor. May receive direction from Librarians.

Supervision Given

None. May explain work procedures and train new, inexperienced, or temporary/student employees on work procedures related to this role. As a member of the front service desk, this position participates in ongoing mentoring and guidance of student employees who perform circulation duties and public services at the front desk.

Minimum Qualifications

High school graduation plus two years Library Technician diploma, plus two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of library policies and procedures and experience working with integrated library systems.

• Knowledge of Voyager and Web-based library information systems in the areas of circulation, borrower services, acquisitions, reserve processing, and information retrieval is preferred.

• Experience working in Circulation or in support of public services; experience working in an academic library is an asset.

• Ability to effectively use MS Word suite, Excel and PowerPoint at an intermediate level. Ability to learn new software programs.

• Ability to operate the normal range of library equipment including data entry systems, copiers, faxes, and microfiche/film readers; ability to diagnose a variety of issues related to library equipment, connectivity, computer hardware and software problems and troubleshoot at a basic level.

• Ability to recognize, respect and work effectively with individuals and groups with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment; ability to maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with a diverse population of Library employees and users in keeping with the

  UBC Respectful Environment Statement.

• Ability to provide quality service to customers in a courteous, patient manner; ability to resolve client complaints in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgement.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

• Ability to understand and apply policies, procedures, and instructions; ability to make thoughtful, informed and thorough decisions; ability to exercise sound judgement; ability to analyze problems, identify key information and issues, and effectively resolve issues; ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively; ability to respond flexibly to change.

• Strong ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail; ability to gather, record and organize data; ability to identify missing and incomplete data.

• Ability to explain and oversee work processes related to the position; ability and experience in training others is an asset. Ability to operate library, office, cash, and document service-related machines and equipment.

• Ability to push, pull and lift heavy objects up to 20 kg, bend below the waist, reach above shoulder level, use step stools, and push and manoeuvre fully loaded book trucks.

• Ability to work evening and weekend shifts is required.

About Us

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world.

Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together?

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at

workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca

.