Storage & Stacks Specialist - Floating: University Libraries - UTK

Library Storage Annex Operations

• Executes daily LSA operations, including the 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. 

• Monitors 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. 

• Shelves 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 Collaboration 

• 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.

Professional Development and Continuous Improvement

• Keeps abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in document delivery, scanning technologies, and library logistics. 

• Completes 1–3 hours of professional development per month. 

• Trains other library departments in delivery workflows and policies. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required 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. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

• Other conditions of Employment: 

• Valid Tennessee driver’s license.

• This position is required to report to their designated work location to ensure operation of essential campus functions or departments during an emergency, or when the University has suspended or delayed operations. 

• 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. 

• Skill in performing bibliographic research using print and online tools. 

• 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.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science or related field

• Experience: 

  • 2 years of experience in an academic library. 

• Experience handling Special Collections or archival materials. 

• Experience with library cataloging or bibliographic description. 

• Experience operating scanning equipment. 

• Experience using inventory or supply management systems. 

• Experience with library management systems such as Alma or comparable platforms. 

• Experience with storage management systems such as CaiaSoft or comparable systems.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge of library management systems such as Alma or comparable platforms. 

• Knowledge of storage management systems such as CaiaSoft or comparable systems. 

• Knowledge of library conservation and preservation methods and techniques. 

• Knowledge of cartography and map reading. 

• Skill in using and troubleshooting large format and microformat printers and scanners. 

• Knowledge of book binding preparation and processes. ent delivery.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits 

• UT market range: 05

• Anticipated hiring range: 

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions 

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division 

The University of Tennessee Libraries are an integral part of the flagship campus of Tennessee’s premier public research university. The University of Tennessee holds the Carnegie Foundation Research 1 designation, granted to doctoral universities with very high research activity.  As a land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation is key to our mission. UT enrolls approximately 40,421 students at its Knoxville campus. For more information about the people who comprise the UTK community, view resources on our Data Central website. The University culture is guided by adherence to core values that define the Volunteer spirit and include seeking knowledge, leading with innovation and integrity, engaging locally and globally, and embracing responsible stewardship of resources.