Collection Maintenance & Shifting Specialist

Code4lib; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 24,521 - 28,323; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

A university library in Chicago is hiring a Collection Maintenance & Shifting Specialist to manage the maintenance of its physical collection. The role involves independently addressing collection issues, directing student employees, and optimizing workflows. Candidates must have at least a high school diploma, with a preference for a bachelor's degree, and experience with collection management is essential. The pay rate ranges between $17.80 and $20.56 per hour with a scheduled weekly hour of 37.5. This position offers a collaborative environment with benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of work experience in a library or equivalent environment required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the physical collection in the Regenstein Library bookstacks and reading rooms.
• Train student employees in routine collection maintenance tasks.
• Resolve or route collection maintenance issues.

Skills

Experience with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets

Basic reading knowledge of a foreign language

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent required

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Overview

Collection Maintenance & Shifting Specialist – Job information and department context as described by the posting.

Job Information

Reporting to the Collection Management & Circulation Services Librarian and working with the Collection Maintenance team to maintain the physical collection in the Regenstein Library bookstacks and reading rooms, the Collection Maintenance & Shifting Specialist works with a high degree of independence to distribute physical collections, maintain shelf order, analyze density and growth, and execute projects to transfer and shift collections (approximately 1.5 million volumes of ~4.5 million volumes total).

Responsibilities

• Works with a high degree of independence to address collection maintenance issues in assigned areas, including designing and executing shifting and transfer projects in Regenstein Library, measuring collections and compiling growth data, triaging materials that cannot be shelved, and updating records as needed to transfer materials to other collections.
• Directs and trains student employees in routine collection maintenance tasks, including shifting collections, shelf reading, sorting and shelving books, as well as pickup and check-in of books; performs quality control measures and provides feedback on student employee performance to ensure ongoing accuracy of student work.
• Assists the Daily Operations & Student Staffing Coordinator in directing and prioritizing student employees in daily operations; directs and prioritizes student employees on weekends and other times when the Coordinator is not present.
• Develops and documents detailed knowledge of assigned areas of the print collections and suggests and tests improvements to workflows to ensure collection maintenance and shifting is efficient and responsive to current and evolving priorities.
• Participates in the operational priorities and daily responsibilities of the department, including tasks assigned to students when students are unavailable; resolves or routes problems as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Identify priorities in order to recognize and resolve or refer problems.
• Ensure decision quality, accountability and drive results.
• Exhibit resilience and optimize resources.
• Foster positive partnerships and collaboration.
• Display emotional intelligence.
• Work independently and as part of team.

Education, Experience, or Certifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of work experience in a library or equivalent environment required.

Technical Knowledge or Skills

• Experience with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets required.
• Basic reading knowledge of a foreign language, particularly non-Roman script strongly preferred.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Work Schedule Mon - Fri, 9am-5pm.
• Ability to bend, crouch, or stoop and climb up to a 3’ stepladder.
• Ability to carry or lift loads of 25 to 49 pounds and push/pull loaded book trucks.
• Ability to make repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movements.
• Ability to see and focus on print and electronic material for long periods and use computers extensively for 4 hours or more.
• Ability to sit or stand for 4 hours or more.

Pay

• Pay Range: $17.80 - $20.56 per hour
• Pay Rate Type: Hourly
• Scheduled Weekly Hours: 37.5
• Union: 024- Local 743, I.B.T. Clerical

Required Documents

• Resume
• Professional References (3)

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

Benefits and Eligibility

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off.

Posting and Application Details

Posting Date: 2025-12-22

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. The University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report can be accessed online at securityreport.uchicago.edu.

How to apply

https://uchicago.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/External/job/Chicago-IL/Collection-Maintenance---Shifting-Specialist_JR32162