Interlibrary Loan Assistant

Department

Library C & A - Access Serv - Doc Del - ILL Lending

About the Department

As a center of intense intellectual inquiry, the University of Chicago Library aspires to be the most dynamic research and learning environment in the world, supporting the University’s commitment to research and teaching and to using its intellectual resources to help solve the world’s problems. Even as we continue to focus on building and preserving our renowned collections, the Library is assuming new roles that are vital to research, innovation, and learning at the University. In the process, we are leveraging the deep expertise of Library staff, developing services that support new avenues of research, and expanding access to and preservation of scholarly resources in ways that advance the goals of the University community and the needs of the next generation of scholars.

Job Information

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Head of Interlibrary Loan, processes incoming interlibrary loan requests using a wide variety of specialized software and services. Performs duties of Library Assistant and Library Clerk positions. Performs work in accordance with Library standards and procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Processes incoming borrowing and lending interlibrary loan requests using ILLiad, OCLC Worldshare, ReShare, DOCLINE, RapidILL, and Folio systems. Verifies citations in many languages and using a wide variety of sources and databases, and searches online catalogs and databases for materials held in our collections and elsewhere in the world.
• Troubleshoots and corrects technical and policy issues related to interlibrary loan requests and software.
• Provides customer service to UChicago patrons and coordinates with staff at other institutions to fulfill requests and track their status, including overdue and missing items. Answers general policy and procedure questions, assists clients with request creation, applies and waives fines.
• Oversees student staff and work: introduce new employees to Library policies, procedures, programs, and equipment. Directs and trains student employees in a range of library tasks, including retrieval of materials from the stacks, request updating, readying items for shipment, and article scanning. Searches for items not found by student employees. Participates in assigning and monitoring daily student tasks. Provides coverage for these tasks as necessary.
• In collaboration with other ILL Assistants, coordinates day-to-day processes and workflows related to fulfilling interlibrary loan requests.
• Processes outgoing ILDS, BTAA, and BorrowDirect shipments to meet daily deadlines. Prepares ILL materials for shipment via FedEx, UPS, and other courier services. Uses mailing and label-printing equipment, logs items, and prepares and prints out labels. Inputs address information into shipping databases when necessary.
• Performs database maintenance by correcting errors in interlibrary loan records and manually updating interlibrary loan records as necessary.
• Assists in the documenting of procedures, analyzes, and resolves problems, recommends changes in procedures and processes as necessary, assists in the monitoring of office supply levels, and participates in training sessions related to job duties as deemed necessary by the University.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently to effectively plan, prioritize, and complete work in a timely manner, to meet established departmental deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in writing, with excellent accuracy and attention to detail in written communications.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, and ability to perform independent problem-solving and decision-making.
• Ability to manage duties with flexibility and adaptability as office procedures, processes, and technology change.

Additional Responsibilities

Education, Experience, and Certifications:

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent from an accredited institution required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience:

• Related library experience, or an equivalent combination of position-related education and experience, required.
• Patron/customer service experience in a high-volume library or related setting required.
• Previous work experience performing bibliographic searches, including experience with Boolean and other advanced search techniques, preferred.

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• Working knowledge of library procedures.
• Work experience and demonstrated strong proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
• Strong keyboard skills.
• Knowledge of standard reference sources.
• Previous work experience with Interlibrary Loan software.
• Reading knowledge of at least one (1) non-English language.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Ability to carry or lift loads of up to 30 lbs, push and pull loaded book trucks.
• Ability to use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
• Ability to make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements.

Pay Range:

• $19.45 - $22.71 per hour

Required Documents:

• Resume/CV

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Yes

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Pay Range

$19.45 - $22.71

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Union

024- Local 743, I.B.T. Clerical

Job is Exempt

No

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Date

2026-10-14

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.