Storage & Stacks Specialist - Floating: University Libraries - UTK

About the role

Based primarily at the Library Storage Annex (LSA), this position floats between the LSA and other library locations to provide flexible support for storage operations, stacks maintenance, collection projects, and delivery-related tasks.

Responsibilities

• Executes daily LSA operations, including retrieval, refiling, and inventory of materials in high-density shelving.
• Operates heavy equipment (e.g., cherry pickers) at elevated heights, strictly adhering to safety protocols.
• Utilizes the storage management system (e.g., CaiaSoft) to track item-level accession, circulation, and shelf allocation.
• Receives materials, executing established workflows for quarantine, reboxing, inventory, and system ingest.
• Retrieves materials for delivery and interlibrary loan using Alma, ILLiad, and CaiaSoft.
• Maintains strict chain-of-custody protocols for rare materials.
• Maintains environmental conditions and reports concerns to the Manager.
• Floating Stacks Support Across Library Locations:
  • Performs stacks maintenance and supports collection projects across multiple University Libraries locations, including Hodges and branch libraries.
  • Sherds returns, performs shelf-reading, and conducts daily maintenance of print collections.
  • Participates in library-wide collection retention, relocation, shifting, and weeding projects.
  • Gathers collection use data to support space planning.
  • Identifies and reports cataloging and preservation issues.
  • Provides backup for the receipt, processing, and delivery of incoming and outgoing mail, packages, freight, and library materials across library branches, campus locations, and satellite facilities.
  • Determines cost-effective shipping methods, processes interlibrary loan shipments, maintains shipment records, and operates postal and loading dock equipment in accordance with postal regulations.
  • Delivers books, supplies, equipment, and special collections materials by vehicle and on foot while ensuring safe handling, timely transport, and efficient routing between library and university locations.
• Special and General Collections Reference Support and Reproduction Services:
  • Researches and responds to reference inquiries for Special and General Collections materials at the LSA, coordinating with Special Collections and APCS staff via request management systems (e.g., Aeon).
  • Evaluates request scope to independently determine if research can be completed on-site or requires a reading room consultation.
  • Fulfills reproduction requests by identifying materials, evaluating physical condition, and operating various scanners to deliver high-quality digital files.
  • Interprets and applies library policies for patrons, exercising judgment to resolve conflicts and redirect out-of-scope requests.
  • Fulfills internal requests for materials needed for instruction, exhibits, and reprocessing.
• Cross-Functional Support and Collection Logistics:
  • Performs Hodges Stacks and Library Storage Annex operations in coordination with the Collection Logistics and Storage Manager during periods of high volume or staff absence.
  • Directs student work crews during large-scale collection relocation, shifting, and retention projects.
  • Contributes to collection maintenance projects, including lost item searches and inventories.

Qualifications

• Education: High School diploma or GED.
• Experience: 1 year of experience in an academic or research library, or in a position involving collection storage, retrieval, physical collection care, or inventory management.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of library operations related to collection storage, stacks management, and physical collection care.
  • Knowledge of proper handling procedures for a variety of library materials, including rare books, archival materials, cartographic materials, and microforms.
  • Knowledge of Library of Congress, Superintendent of Documents, or Dewey classification schemes.
  • Skill in operating scanning and digitization equipment for various material formats.
  • Ability to arrange and organize materials following established classification systems.
  • Ability to perform shelf-reading, inventory verification, and related collection maintenance tasks.
  • Ability to operate heavy equipment, including cherry pickers, following established safety protocols and training requirements.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team, adapting to changing priorities and locations.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
  • Ability to lift or move heavy boxes, shipments, and library materials.
  • Ability to think critically and adapt quickly in response to new or unexpected challenges.