Job Title
Library Specialist II
Agency
Texas A&M University
Department
Libraries
Proposed Minimum Salary
$17.25 hourly
Job Location
College Station, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
What We Want
We're looking for a detail-oriented and hands-on professional who is passionate about preserving library collections and mentoring student workers. In this role, you’ll be responsible for training and supervising student employees, as well as coordinating the organization and upkeep of all Preservation Lab spaces. You will assess library general collection items and recommend appropriate preservation services and treatments for damaged or fragile materials. You will maintain the equipment within the listed lab areas, ensuring their proper function, accessibility, and safe use. The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, and comfortable balancing routine tasks with specialized preservation work. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes work that directly supports the long-term stewardship of collections, we'd love to hear from you.
What You Need to Know
Salary: $17.25/hourly.
Cover Letter/Resume: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended and will help in our review. You can also attach a portfolio of previous projects to demonstrate your hand skills and attention to detail. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.
Other Requirements and Factors:
- Must be able to work Monday through Friday, daytime hours (8am to 5pm).
Essential Duties/Tasks
- Student Employee Supervision and Training - Hires, trains, coaches, supervises, and evaluates student employees in the lab who are engaged in repairing books, creating enclosures, and transferring materials. Directs related workflows, provides immediate feedback and guidance, and approves work schedules and timesheets. Serves as the unit liaison to AskUs personnel for damaged materials, documenting. Patron Damage to report to the Business Office.
- Preservation Lab Coordination - Coordinates the organization and upkeep of all Preservation Lab spaces, outside of the Conservation Lab, including the book repair/enclosures work area, flex space, intake and storage areas, as well as the anteroom and adjacent portions of the office suite. Maintains all equipment within the listed lab areas, ensuring their proper function, accessibility, and safe use. Ensures accessibility of all necessary materials and supplies for lab workers. Assists the Preservation Librarian with facilitating the use of the flex space and adjacent areas by personnel external to the Preservation Unit for instructional purposes or donor-related events.
- Preservation Repair and Enclosures - Assesses the condition of library general collection items and recommends appropriate preservation services and treatments for damaged or fragile materials. Uses Preservation and Conservation knowledge to perform repairs and treatments on said materials, such as tear repair, hinge tightening, new cases, spine repairs/Rebacks, tip-ins, pockets, velo binding, surface cleaning, pamphlet stitching, sewing signatures, as well as others determined by the Preservation Librarian. Constructs boxes, four-flaps, mylar and colibri covers, and other protective enclosures for library collections items. Documents statistics of all work performed within the lab and reports it monthly to the Preservation Librarian.
- Order Materials, Supplies, and Services - Submits purchase orders to maintain plentiful stock of regular Preservation Unit materials and supplies. Coordinates with Heads of each Preservation Section, as well as the Preservation Director, to research, select, and order specialized unit materials, supplies, and some outside services. Maintains forms for supply requests from members of the Preservation Unit and spreadsheets for tracking the Unit’s expenditures throughout the Fiscal Year. Provides regular supply, shipping, and budget status updates to the Preservation Librarian, Preservation Director, and the Preservation Unit as a whole.
- Team Participation - Collaborates with Preservation employees to provide the best service possible to donors and library users through participatory decision-making and implementation of operations and guidelines. Participates and attends special events, library and unit meetings, and training as needed.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Three years of related library experience. Three years experience in a public, academic, or a specialized library, museum, or archive.
Preferred Qualifications:
- One year as TAMU experience as a Library Specialist I.
- Experience in an academic or archival library setting.
- Knowledge of basic book binding, repairs, and preservation treatments.
- Knowledge of archival enclosures and materials.
- Knowledge of basic collections handling practices.
- Ability to operate laboratory equipment such as, Gunnar mat cutter, board shear, guillotine
- Supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.
- General knowledge of library services and functions.
- Knowledge of email, word processing, spreadsheet applications and library online research database searches and/or processing.
- Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Good manual dexterity and attention to detail.
- Reliable attendance.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to move medium weight (~50lb) boxes, books, heavy book carts, lab equipment, or similar items
- Ability to handle material which can contain dust or microscopic mold spores.
- Ability to climb step ladders up to 10 feet high while holding library materials
Who We Are
The Libraries are the indispensable hub of discovery, learning and creativity with the teaching and research that goes on in the colleges and academic departments. We offer rich and extraordinary collections at the University Libraries. The Libraries resources and services enable and support the University missions of teaching, research, and service. Learn more about our various libraries at https://library.tamu.edu
Why Texas A&M University?
We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.
- Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
- Living Well, a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees
Our Commitment
Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
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