Hybrid Student Stacks Assistant for Special Collections Library (Student Wage) at University of Virginia
University of Virginia · Charlottesville, United States Of America · Hybrid
- Office in Charlottesville
Special Collections Technical Services Stacks Assistant
About the position: The Stacks Assistant organizes, labels, shelves, shifts, and retrieves rare books and archival boxes in support of the Catalogers and Archivists in the Technical Services unit of Special Collections. This position reports to the Head of Technical Services.
This is a part-time position (up to 10 hours per week) paying $16.71 per hour and is available beginning August 26, 2025. Setting and reliably maintaining a work schedule is important for success in this role. The work area’s temperature is generally below 65 degrees Fahrenheit to better preserve the collections, so employees should dress accordingly. Passing of a background check is required for this position.
Federal Work Study preferred: Work-Study (FWSA) eligibility during Fall/Spring semesters is preferred. Work-Study employment is effective August 26, 2025 – May 8, 2026.
All scheduled work hours must fall between 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday. For more information about the Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library, please visit http://small.library.virginia.edu/
Main duties:
Organize and shift archival boxes, rare books, and other materials according to complex shelving arrangements.
Confirm call numbers against library catalog records and shelve newly cataloged rare book and archival materials.
Pack, 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:
Currently Enrolled UVA student, undergraduate or graduate
Successful passing of a background check
Essential Skills for the Job:
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.
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 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
Students who are eligible for Federal Work Study are preferred.
Preferred skills or experience includes prior work 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.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education: Current UVA student
Experience: None
Licensure: None
Successfully passing a background check is required for this position.
PREFERRED
Federal Work Study eligible students
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is an active job that involves standing and walking, lifting boxes that weigh up to 40 lbs, working in a cold environment, and use of ladders, book trucks, and other types of library equipment to retrieve and reshelve materials.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Click here to read more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
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