Student Archival Stacks Assistant - Federal Work Study (Student Wage)

University of Virginia Physicians Group; United States; On-site; USD 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia invites Federal Work-Study students to join the Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library as a Library Archives Assistant. The role requires careful handling of rare materials, strong organizational skills, and basic MS Word/Excel abilities.

Expect lifting up to 40 lbs, cold workspace, and occasional use of ladders and book carts. Under supervision, you will process, shelve, and inventory archival materials, and assist researchers in the reading room.

Qualifications

• Ability to handle rare and special materials with care.
• Experience using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Handwriting neatly and legibly; handwriting sample may be requested.
• Good communication, reliability, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Organize and shift archival boxes and materials according to shelving arrangements.
• Confirm call numbers against catalog records and shelve materials.
• Label and barcode boxes and ensure accuracy with inventories.
• Assist in preparing materials for transfers to off-site storage.
• Retrieve manuscripts and rare books for researcher requests in the reading room.
• Collaborate with Public Services staff and support Technical Services tasks.

Skills

Organizational skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Handwriting

Communication skills

Reliability

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Analytical skills

Independent work

Education

Current UVA students

Job description

Federal work-study students only

Overview

This position reports to the Archivist in Technical Services unit and requires a minimum commitment of 7 hours per week while reliably maintaining a work schedule. The work area’s temperature is generally below 65 degrees Fahrenheit to better preserve the collections, so employees should dress accordingly.

Main duties

• Organize and shift archival boxes and other materials according to complex shelving arrangements.
• Confirm call numbers against library catalog records and shelve newly cataloged archival materials.
• Label and barcode boxes and ensure accuracy with inventories.
• Assist in the preparation of collection materials for transfers to off-site storage.
• When needed, properly retrieve manuscript, university archive, and rare book materials for researcher requests and use in the reading room.
• This work includes working and communicating with Public Services staff.
• Additional duties may include individual projects assisting Technical Services team members as necessary.

Required Qualifications

• The ability to handle rare and special materials with care is required.
• This position requires excellent organizational skills, experience using Microsoft Word and Excel, the ability to lift boxes that weigh up to 40 lbs., working in a cold environment, and the ability to use ladders, book trucks, and other types of library equipment to retrieve and reshelve materials.
• The ability to handwrite neatly and legibly is also required and a handwriting sample may be requested.
• Good communication skills; reliability in scheduling; accuracy and attention to detail; ability to multi-task and finish tasks in a timely manner; ability to use strong analytical skills; ability to work and solve problems independently, as well as closely with others; ability to work in a restrictive, high security environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a special collections library or archive, or any library work experience.
• Familiarity with the Library of Congress Classification system.
• Experience with reading varied call number systems.
• Familiarity with 18th, 19th, and 20th century materials.
• Familiarity with rare book and archival principles and practices.
• Familiarity with U.S. and Virginia history, or American literature.
• Foreign language skills are a plus.

Compensation

Compensation: $16.71/hr.

Availability

Available to undergraduate and graduate students beginning August 25, 2026, and ending May 14, 2027.

Scheduled Hours

Scheduled Hours: 10 hours per week. Working hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

Background Check

Passing a background check is required for this position.

Minimum Requirements

Resume required. Cover letter optional.

Education

Current UVA students.

Federal Work-Study

Federal Work-Study required.

Experience

None.

Licensure

None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The ability to handle rare and special materials with care is required. The ability to lift boxes that weigh up to 40 lbs., working in a cold environment, and the ability to use ladders, book trucks, and other types of library equipment to retrieve and reshelve materials.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits

• In addition to a robust array of traditional benefits such as health care, time off, and retirement, UVA offers a comprehensive list of benefits and services to help staff and faculty meet their personal and family needs.

About the University of Virginia

In 1819, Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and inaugurated a bold experiment. Two centuries later, Jefferson’s vision thrives. Across Grounds - and throughout the world - UVA students, faculty, staff and alumni challenge convention, break barriers and pursue the greater good. The University of Virginia is made up of eleven schools and affiliated foundations in Charlottesville plus the College at Wise in Southwest Virginia. The University of Virginia Health System is a renowned academic medical center committed to providing outstanding patient care, educating tomorrow's health care leaders and discovering new and better ways to treat diseases. The University's Medical Center, School of Medicine and Physicians Group are recognized for their excellence in patient care, education and research. At UVA, we offer a rich collection benefits, which have long been recognized and valued for their comprehensiveness and competitiveness in the market.

Library Information

For more information about the Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library, please visit http://small.library.virginia.edu/.