Library Specialist II

Texas A&M University System; United States; On-site; USD 20,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M University Libraries is seeking a Library Specialist II to supervise student workers in the Preservation Lab and coordinate repairs, enclosures, and preservation treatments for library collections. The role includes coordinating lab spaces, maintaining equipment, and supporting long‑term stewardship of digitized and physical materials.

The position requires a detail‑oriented professional comfortable balancing routine tasks with hands‑on preservation work, plus the ability to work

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Three years of related library experience in a public, academic, or archival setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and trains student workers; coordinates lab workflows and schedules.
• Maintains Preservation Lab spaces and equipment for safety, access, and upkeep.
• Assesses general collection items and recommends preservation services and treatments.
• Orders materials and coordinates supplies and outside services; tracks budget and expenditures.
• Collaborates with Preservation staff and participates in events and meetings.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Book binding basics

Preservation knowledge

Lab coordination

Attention to detail

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 ascoordinating 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?

• Medical, https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/ prescription drug, https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/prescriptions-express-scripts/ dental, https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/ vision, https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/vision-insurance/ life and AD&D, https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/ flexible spending accounts https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/flexible-spending-accounts/, and long-term disability insurance https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/ with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days https://service.tamu.edu/TDClient/45/Portal/KB/Article/1793/University-Holiday-Calendar of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave https://service.tamu.edu/TDClient/45/Portal/KB/Article/1794/Sick-Leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation https://service.tamu.edu/TDClient/45/Portal/KB/Article/1757/Vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/
• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/ training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more
• Educational release time and tuition assistance https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee
• Living Well, https://livingwell.tamu.edu/ 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.