Library Specialist

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 50,890,000 - 81,463,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky Libraries is seeking a Library Specialist to serve as the Second Shift Supervisor/Evenings & Weekends at William T. Young Library.

The role provides operational oversight for evening services, supervising student employees and supporting circulation, access to resources, and building operations. You’ll supervise staff, ensure excellent customer service, manage circulation transactions, and coordinate space use during evening/weekend hours to support students and faculty.

Qualifications

• BS degree required.
• 2 years of related library experience preferred.
• Experience with library systems, circulation operations, or customer-facing service environments is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational oversight for circulation services and library activities during evening shifts.
• Supervise, train, and support student employees while assigning and monitoring daily work.
• Assist patrons with circulation transactions using Alma/Primo.
• Serve as primary contact for building operations, security and facilities concerns during second shift.
• Coordinate circulation workflows, transfers, collection maintenance, and Book Express services.
• Manage study room reservations and effective use of library spaces.
• Monitor library conditions and address patron concerns and safety issues.
• Develop and maintain circulation procedures, documentation, and training resources.

Skills

Customer service

Supervising

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

BS

Job description

Department Name

Department Name 88000:LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION

Work Location

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 42

Salary Range

Salary Range $17.76-28.43/hour

Type of Position

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education

BS

Click here for more information about equivalencies:

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Ability to push book trucks weighing up to 50lbs; sit for long periods of time; ability to use a kick stool to reach higher shelves and to squat down to reach lowest shelves in the book stacks.

Shift

Tuesday-Thursday from 3:00 pm-11:00 pm and Friday/Saturday 12:00 pm-8:00 pm during the Fall and Spring semester. Hours vary during the summer session and breaks depending on the operational hours of the library; Total hours per week =37.5.

Job Summary

Help Deliver Outstanding Library Services During Evenings and Weekends

The University of Kentucky Libraries is seeking a Library Specialist to serve as the Second Shift Supervisor/Evenings & Weekends at William T. Young Library.

This role provides operational oversight for evening library services, ensuring students, faculty, and visitors receive exceptional customer service and access to library resources. The successful candidate will supervise student employees, help manage building operations, support circulation services, and serve as a key point of contact during evening and weekend hours.

What You’ll Do

• Provide operational oversight for circulation services and library activities during evening shifts
• Supervise, train, and support student employees while assigning and monitoring daily work
• Assist patrons with circulation transactions, account questions, and access to library resources using Alma/Primo
• Serve as a primary contact for building operations, security, and facilities-related concerns during second shift
• Coordinate circulation workflows, material transfers, collection maintenance, and Book Express services
• Manage study room reservations and support effective use of library spaces
• Monitor library conditions, address patron concerns, and respond appropriately to building or safety issues
• Assist with development and maintenance of circulation procedures, documentation, and training resources

What You’ll Bring

• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills
• Experience supervising, training, or coordinating the work of others
• Ability to make sound decisions and remain calm in dynamic situations
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping
• Ability to work independently while supporting a collaborative team environment
• Experience with library systems, circulation operations, or customer-facing service environments is helpful
• 2 years of related experience

What’s In It for You

• Meaningful impact: Support students and researchers by helping maintain access to vital library resources and services
• Leadership opportunity: Supervise student employees and contribute to daily library operations
• Dynamic environment: Engage in customer service, facilities support, circulation management, and project coordination
• Professional growth: Build expertise in academic library operations and public service management
• Collaborative environment: Work alongside library professionals committed to student and faculty success

Why Now?

Libraries continue to serve as essential academic hubs, providing access to resources, study spaces, technology, and support services beyond traditional business hours. Evening and weekend operations play a critical role in meeting the needs of students and faculty when demand for library services is often at its highest.

In this role, you’ll help create a welcoming, safe, and well-organized environment while ensuring library services remain responsive and accessible to the university community.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

MS Office, Excel, Teams, Library Management System (Alma),

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Prefer bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience in an academic research library.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 08/25/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How many years of experience do you have working in a library?
  • None
  • More than 0, up through 3 years
  • More than 3 years, up through 5 years
  • More than 5 years, up through 8 years
  • More than 8 years
• * How many years of experience do you have working with an Integrated Library System (ILS) system?
  • None
  • More than 0, up through 3 years
  • More than 3 years, up through 5 years
  • More than 5 years, up through 8 years
  • More than 8 years
• * How many years of experience do you have working with Microsoft Office?
  • None
  • More than 0, up through 3 years
  • More than 3 years, up through 5 years
  • More than 5 years, up through 8 years
  • More than 8 years

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents