Library Assistant I, Research Services

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 18,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin invites applications for Library Assistant I, Research Services with the Harry Ransom Center on UT’s main campus in Austin. This part-time position (20 hours/week) requires weekend availability and involves shelving, circulation desk duties, and assisting patrons with materials requests.

Responsibilities include supporting classroom use of materials, minor preservation tasks, and helping maintain a welcoming research environment.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED (required).
• Two years of library experience OR sixty hours of college credit and one year of full-time equivalent library experience OR twelve hours of graduate coursework in Library and Information Science.
• Must be able to work Saturdays.

Responsibilities

• Locates, shelves, and reshelves manuscripts, books, photography, art, flat files, personal effects in a closed-stacks library and archive.
• Performs all Circulation Desk functions and serves as backup at Reception.
• Assists patrons with photoduplication requests and basic handling of materials.
• Supports training of Work Study students and Student Assistants.
• Assists with classroom materials setup and material requests.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Job Details

The Ransom Center is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum at The University of Texas at Austin. Its extensive collections provide unique insight into the creative process of writers and artists, deepening our understanding and appreciation of literature, photography, film, art, and the performing arts. Visitors engage with the Center's collections through research and study, exhibitions, publications, and a rich variety of program offerings including readings, talks, symposia, and film screenings. The Ransom Center encourages discovery, inspires creativity, and advances understanding of the humanities for a broad and diverse audience through the preservation and sharing of its extraordinary collections. The Ransom Center welcomes and respects all individuals and communities by valuing and maintaining awareness of under-represented perspectives and experiences. We believe inclusivity is critical to fostering excellence in all of our endeavors, and we strive to promote diversity in our collections and services. We welcome applicants from under-represented groups and those who demonstrate a commitment to inclusion. To learn more about our institutional mission and values, visit: https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/about/#mission-values.

Job Posting Title

Library Assistant I, Research Services

Hiring Department

Harry Ransom Center

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

20

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue Until Aug 15, 2026

Location

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Responsibilities

• Locates, shelves, and reshelves manuscripts, books, photography, art, flat files, personal effects, and other visual materials for patrons in a secure, closed-stacks library and archive.
• Performs all Circulation Desk functions and has several desk shifts each week. Trains at and serves as backup at Reception.
• Assists patrons with creating requests for photoduplication orders of collection materials.
• After training, performs basic preservation tasks and assists patrons with materials handling.
• Answers directional and minor reference questions in the Reading Room and may assist with Reading Room orientations for new patrons.
• Assists with training of Work Study students and Student Assistants.
• Locates and pulls materials for use in the classrooms, helps with the set up and take down of classroom materials, and may assist with materials selection and classroom instruction.
• Assists with Library Storage Facility material requests by inputting requests, routing of requests when materials arrive, and strapping and preparing materials for return.
• Helps foster a welcoming research environment while also safeguarding collection materials. Revisits policies with the team to ensure alignment with National Standards and current best practices.
• Serves as the primary staff member for pulling materials on Saturdays and support at service points.
• Assists with occasional opening and closing responsibilities.
• Participates in occasional cross-departmental projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED
• Two years of library experience OR sixty hours of college credit and one year of full-time equivalent library experience OR twelve hours of graduate coursework in Library and Information Science.
• Must be able to work Saturdays.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of Ransom Center collections.
• Experience in a special collections library.
• Demonstrated good customer service skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal classification systems.
• Experience with an automated circulation tracking system.
• Proficient in more than one language.
• Experience in preservation techniques.
• Ability to communicate and work well with scholars in the humanities and with library and other staff as a team member.
• Experience with an online library catalog and with databases.
• Experience with or interest in literary materials.
• Good written and oral communication skills.

Salary Range

$20,000 prorated annual salary

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Ability to appropriately handle large, heavy, and fragile collection materials of significant value.

Work Shift

• Availability to work most Saturdays required with additional hours on weekdays to be scheduled between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM M-F for a total of 20 hours per week.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and other regulations. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.