Libraries & Archives Paraprofessional 3- Circulation and Reserves Specialist

Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.

Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.

The Collection Services division of the Western Libraries facilitates and coordinates the management of the Libraries’ collections. This collection management includes stewardship of the library resource access budget and active engagement at every stage of the lifecycle of library materials. The division’s work encompasses but is not limited to the selection, acquisition, organization, delivery, and preservation of content, as well as efforts to make content discoverable and accessible; regular and ongoing collection assessment; careful monitoring of physical space; leveraging regional and national relationships to supplement local holdings; and one-on-one service to end users. In consultation with their supervisor, members of Collection Services are encouraged to seek professional growth opportunities beyond their immediate duties, such as participation in library committees, programs, or groups not directly tied to their role; trainings or other professional development; or service to the wider university. At least one hour each week is reserved for professional development related to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in order to inform day-to-day work and foster integration of ADEI practices into all other position duties.

Library & Archives Paraprofessionals in this position perform a wide variety of tasks in the delivery of library services. Staff perform library technical tasks such as assist clients with reference, informational or bibliographic questions; perform circulation and collection maintenance; stay current with library practices and technology; maintain the operations of library; and participate in the development and implementation of policies. They may input/update library records for patrons as well as materials. This position operates with a fair amount of independence, using knowledge, judgment, and soft skills to help library patrons, as well as provide primary oversight and direction of student employees on Sundays and evening hours; this position is expected to manage day-to-day operations with particular responsibility and oversight over evening security and closing procedures, as well as assigned projects. Work is expected to be done independently, under general direction. This position may consult with the Head of Circulation & Reserves about complex or unprecedented issues.

The Western Libraries is currently open until 9pm Sunday through Thursday with the potential to extend hours in the future. Currently, this closing position will work Sunday through Thursday 12:15-9:15pm during the academic year (Sept-June), Monday through Friday 8am-5pm during intersessions, and Monday through Friday 8:15am-5:15pm during the summer. If hours are extended, this position would receive at least two weeks' notice prior to the change of schedule. The successful applicant will serve as the only regular FTE staff in the building on Sundays and evenings.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as the primary Western Libraries point of contact all hours on Sundays and evening hours Monday through Thursday.
• Oversee closing procedures 5 days a week (Sunday through Thursday), ensuring secure, reliable, and efficient closing operations. Open library buildings on Sundays.
• Monitor the library buildings and respond to library security and safety concerns as the primary point of contact on Sundays and late evening hours Monday through Thursday.
• Provide a professional level of customer service to patrons at a busy service counter, over the phone, through chat, and via email; explain library procedures, rules and service policies.
• Perform and oversee routine circulation desk tasks, including checking materials in/out materials, and processing of materials using Alma.
• Perform complex circulation functions and make authorized decisions regarding exceptional circumstances.
• Effectively use technology, information tools, and library specific software and web applications to accomplish assigned tasks, including tools such as Alma, Primo (OneSearch), ILLiad, and the Course Reserves system.
• Provide routine support for common area computers, scanners, and printers. Direct problems appropriately, including submitting ATUS Help Desk forms.
• Routine stacks management tasks, including backdating, shifting, checking in and processing of materials from return bins and other library departments using Alma.
• Assist with the processing of physical and e-reserves.
• Troubleshoot basic, time-sensitive course reserves issues during shifts outside of typical business after hours.
• Direct the work of students including taking daily operations, priorities, and staffing into account.

The search committee hopes to conduct first-round interviews in August 2026, with the tentative goal of extending an offer to the successful candidate in early September 2026.

Please direct any questions to Mary Wegmann (she/her), Director of Collections at mary.wegmann@wwu.edu or

HR@wwu.edu

• High school graduation or equivalent; and three years’ experience in the functional operations of a library or archives
• Record of providing courteous, efficient, and effective service to patrons of diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, and needs.
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively at a busy public-facing environment with frequent interruptions and competing priorities
• Ability to direct the work of others, including student employees
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Must be able to push book trucks weighing up to 40lbs

• Experience working in an academic library
• Experience successfully working in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to use and explain information tools and services
• Excellent organizational skills with an attention to detail; ability to solve problems
• Experience working with complex Library Information Systems, such as Alma
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Familiarity with Library of Congress call numbers system

HR@wwu.edu

$3,850 - $5,129/month depending on qualifications and experience. Successful candidates typically begin at/near the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases.

This position is eligible for overtime.

Please submit a cover letter and resume/CV that address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.

Please include the names and contact information of three professional references.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity employer. In compliance with applicable laws, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, citizenship or immigration status, pregnancy, use of protective leave, genetic status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, creed, religion, veteran or military status, disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal (including a service animal in training) by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policies on Prohibiting Discrimination Based on A Protected Class and Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sex. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); 

crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of Student Life at

student.life@wwu.edu

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.