Rare Books and Research Services Specialist

George Mason University; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits for employees

Health and wellness benefits

Paid leave

Job summary

George Mason University Libraries seeks a Rare Books and Research Services Specialist to manage the day-to-day rare book collection, oversee preservation, and support discovery for onsite and remote patrons.

You will supervise student workers, collaborate with specialists, and contribute to reading room operations while advancing access to special collections and Book Arts holdings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Cataloging and/or library technical services experience in a library setting.
• Customer service experience.
• Experience managing timelines and deliverables.
• Knowledge of library and collection management practices applicable to rare books and special collections.
• Knowledge of research and reference practices to assist researchers.
• Ability to organize and manage work with multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to analyze information and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with others.

Responsibilities

• Leads day-to-day management and assessment of the rare book collection, including gifts, inventory, preservation, and access.
• Collaborates with librarians on Book Arts holdings and records statistics of work.
• Supervises Reading Room operations and coordinates access to materials.
• Directs student workers and coordinates with SCRCDirector on collection needs.
• Engages in committees to share knowledge and improve services.

Skills

Customer service

Timeline management

Communication

Organizational skills

Research assistance

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Concentration in humanities / library science / archives

Certified Archivist (CA) certification

Tools

ExLibris Alma

ArchivesSpace

MARC bibliographic records

Job description

Department: Library

Classification: Library Specialist 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible, up to 2 days oftelework

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visasponsorship

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Anticipated hiring range for this position is from $60,000 -$62,000

George Mason University provides salary ranges representing agood-faith estimate of the compensation the university reasonablyexpects to offer for this position. The salary for a selectedcandidate will be determined based on factors such as — but notlimited to — qualifications of the individual; internal equity; andalignment with the university's approved pay structures.

At George Mason University, base salary is one component of acomprehensive total rewards package that includes competitivehealth and wellness benefits, retirement contributions, generousleave, tuition benefits for employees, and the opportunity tocontribute to the mission of Virginia's largest and most diversepublic research university.

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The University Libraries foster innovation, creativity, andimagination by facilitating and preserving access to scholarshipand information, providing expert consultation in the researchprocess, and actively teaching the effective and critical use ofinformation. The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) atGeorge Mason University Libraries is the principal repository ofmanuscripts, university archives, rare books, book arts, and oralhistories. The SCRC is charged with acquiring, documenting,preserving, and providing access to primary research collections,documents, and rare books. It manages the non-current and archivalrecords of George Mason University and undertakes the creation ofaudiovisual documentary resources through its oral history work.The SCRC also adds value to its holdings through selectivedigitization and through interpretive exhibits, instructions, andprogramming. All work is aligned with advancing the UniversityLibraries’ goals and plans.

About the Position:

The Rare Books and Research Services Specialist performsspecialized collection management and research services within theSpecial Collections Research Center (SCRC). The position hasprimary responsibility for the day-to-day management and assessmentof the SCRC rare book collection (in all formats and languages),independently evaluating needs, establishing priorities,coordinating preservation and processing activities, and supportingdiscovery and access. The position also provides research andreference services to onsite and remote users, supports ReadingRoom operations, and coordinates access to collection materials.The position directs student and wage employees supportingcollection management activities and collaborates with SCRC staffand other Library specialists on projects, procedures, andinitiatives that advance collection access and services. Thisposition participates in committees and/or workgroups as requiredto share knowledge, develop best practices, and implement andadvance the work of the Libraries.

Rare Book Collection Management

• Leads the day-to-day management and assessment of the rare bookcollection, including: reviewing incoming and existing gifts ofbooks to SCRC; maintaining the current rare book collection bymanaging the appraisal, inventory, preservation and cleaning of thecollection, shelving, etc; preparing books sent to DiscoveryServices and liaising with catalogers; and, consulting with theManuscripts and Archives Librarian, Preservation Officer, and SCRCDirector on the state and needs of the collection;
• Collaborates with the Art & Exhibitions Librarian and BookArts Curator related to the Book Arts holdings; and
• Records and maintains statistics of work completed andidentifies opportunities to improve collection managementpractices.

Research Services Support

• Collaborates with the Research Services Librarian to supervisethe day-to-day operations of the SCRC Reading Room;
• Provides independent research and reference assistance topatrons, including:
  • conducting reference interviews;
  • assisting patrons in identifying and accessing archival andrare book materials;
  • reviewing research needs and topics to recommend additionalcollections and other library resources;
  • contributing to fulfilling duplication requests; and
  • coordinating requests for and use of materials from off-sitestorage;
• Exercises judgment in responding to routine and non-routineresearch requests and refers complex or specialized inquiries toappropriate subject-matter experts; and
• Records and maintains statistics of work completed, providesinput on local policies and creates and revises documentation.

Management of Closed Stacks and Special Projects

• Manages projects to improve rare book and book arts stacksorganization, access, and housing/preservation standards;
• Directs and coordinates the work of student workers in closedstacks projects and preservation activities, and consults with theResearch Services Librarian on the management of research servicesstudents.

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Cataloging and/or library technical services (e.g.acquisitions, collection development, stacks management, ILL)experience in a library setting;
• Customer service experience;
• Experience managing timelines and deliverables;
• Knowledge of library and collection management practicesapplicable to rare books, special collections, or comparablelibrary materials, including principles of handling, organization,inventory, preservation, and access;
• Knowledge of research and reference practices sufficient toassess user needs, identify appropriate resources, and assistresearchers in accessing special collections materials;
• Ability to independently organize and manage work, includingcoordinating multiple priorities, projects, or workflows andmeeting established deadlines;
• Ability to analyze information and resolve problems, includingidentifying inconsistencies, evaluating options, and developingpractical solutions or recommendations; and
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with othersand provide clear direction to students or wage employees whenassigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Concentration in humanities, library science and/orarchives;
• Certified Archivist (CA) certification;
• Experience working with MARC bibliographic records;
• Experience working in a special collections or rare booksdepartment in a research, special, or public library;
• Experience working in a reference area of an academic, special,or public library;
• Knowledge of handling of rare books and publications;
• Working knowledge of an integrated library system (e.g. ExLibris Alma);
• Working knowledge of archival management systems (e.g.ArchivesSpace);
• Demonstrated knowledge of reference tools related to specialcollections; and
• Demonstrated knowledge of rare book preservation needs andability to identify and/or create housing for rare books.

Posting Open Date: November 9, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 22, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Mason Ad Statement

George Mason University is a nationally ranked R1 researchuniversity committed to creating a more just, free, and prosperousworld. With 40,000 enrolled students, George Mason is the largestand most diverse public research university in Virginia, offeringdegree programs at the master's, doctoral, and professional level,along with certificates and credentials.

George Mason fosters an All Together Different environment forstudents, faculty, and staff, driven by our core beliefs. Webelieve in inclusivity over exclusivity; we believe in advancingour mission by being willing to take risks, not avoiding them; andwe believe our best work is possible when we apply our diversity oforigin, identity, circumstance, and thought.

Equity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative actionemployer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in itscommunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foret employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability orveteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available athttp://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/