Rare Books and Research Services Specialist

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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 of telework

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Pay Band: 05

Salary:

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

George Mason University provides salary ranges representing a good-faith estimate of the compensation the university reasonably expects to offer for this position. The salary for a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as - but not limited to - qualifications of the individual; internal equity; and alignment with the university's approved pay structures.

At George Mason University, base salary is one component of a comprehensive total rewards package that includes competitive health and wellness benefits, retirement contributions, generous leave, tuition benefits for employees, and the opportunity to contribute to the mission of Virginia's largest and most diverse public research university.

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The University Libraries foster innovation, creativity, and imagination by facilitating and preserving access to scholarship and information, providing expert consultation in the research process, and actively teaching the effective and critical use of information. The Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) at George Mason University Libraries is the principal repository of manuscripts, university archives, rare books, book arts, and oral histories. 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 archival records of George Mason University and undertakes the creation of audiovisual documentary resources through its oral history work. The SCRC also adds value to its holdings through selective digitization and through interpretive exhibits, instructions, and programming. All work is aligned with advancing the University Libraries' goals and plans.

About the Position:

The Rare Books and Research Services Specialist performs specialized collection management and research services within the Special Collections Research Center (SCRC). The position has primary responsibility for the day-to-day management and assessment of the SCRC rare book collection (in all formats and languages), independently evaluating needs, establishing priorities, coordinating preservation and processing activities, and supporting discovery and access. The position also provides research and reference services to onsite and remote users, supports Reading Room operations, and coordinates access to collection materials. The position directs student and wage employees supporting collection management activities and collaborates with SCRC staff and other Library specialists on projects, procedures, and initiatives that advance collection access and services. This position participates in committees and/or workgroups as required to share knowledge, develop best practices, and implement and advance the work of the Libraries.

Responsibilities:

Rare Book Collection Management

• Leads the day-to-day management and assessment of the rare book collection, including: reviewing incoming and existing gifts of books to SCRC; maintaining the current rare book collection by managing the appraisal, inventory, preservation and cleaning of the collection, shelving, etc; preparing books sent to Discovery Services and liaising with catalogers; and, consulting with the Manuscripts and Archives Librarian, Preservation Officer, and SCRC Director on the state and needs of the collection;
• Collaborates with the Art & Exhibitions Librarian and Book Arts Curator related to the Book Arts holdings; and
• Records and maintains statistics of work completed and identifies opportunities to improve collection management practices.

Research Services Support

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

Management of Closed Stacks and Special Projects

• Manages projects to improve rare book and book arts stacks organization, access, and housing/preservation standards;
• Directs and coordinates the work of student workers in closed stacks projects and preservation activities, and consults with the Research Services Librarian on the management of research services students.

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 practices applicable to rare books, special collections, or comparable library materials, including principles of handling, organization, inventory, preservation, and access;
• Knowledge of research and reference practices sufficient to assess user needs, identify appropriate resources, and assist researchers in accessing special collections materials;
• Ability to independently organize and manage work, including coordinating multiple priorities, projects, or workflows and meeting established deadlines;
• Ability to analyze information and resolve problems, including identifying inconsistencies, evaluating options, and developing practical solutions or recommendations; and
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with others and provide clear direction to students or wage employees when assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in related field;
• Concentration in humanities, library science and/or archives;
• Certified Archivist (CA) certification;
• Experience working with MARC bibliographic records;
• Experience working in a special collections or rare books department 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. Ex Libris Alma);
• Working knowledge of archival management systems (e.g. ArchivesSpace);
• Demonstrated knowledge of reference tools related to special collections; and
• Demonstrated knowledge of rare book preservation needs and ability to identify and/or create housing for rare books.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Rare Books and Research Services Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter, resume, and responses to the application questions for review.

Posting Open Date: November 9, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 22, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes