Library Specialist II

Texas A&M University System; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M University Libraries in College Station, TX is seeking a Library Specialist II to train and supervise student workers and oversee Preservation Lab spaces. You will assess general collection items and guide preservation treatments for damaged materials while maintaining lab equipment and supplies.

The role emphasizes organized, dependable work, balancing routine tasks with specialized preservation duties, and contributing to long-term stewardship of library collections.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of related library experience.
• Three years experience in a public, academic, or a specialized library, museum, or archive.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Preservation Repair and Enclosures - Assesses the condition of library general collection items and recommends preservation services and treatments for damaged or fragile materials.
• Order Materials, Supplies, and Services - Submits purchase orders to maintain stock of Preservation Unit materials and supplies and tracks expenditures.
• Team Participation - Collaborates with Preservation employees to provide the best service to donors and library users.

Skills

Student supervision

Preservation lab

Book repair

Enclosures

Budget tracking

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Gunnar mat cutter

Board shear

Guillotine

Job description

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.

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