Job Summary/Overview:

This is an internal VCU only position search. Applicants must be current VCU employees.

Unit: L D Wilder Sch of Govt & Pub Affrs

Department: The Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE)

The Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) at the Center for Public Policy (CPP) in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a Library Support Specialist to advance the Wilder Collections project. The Library Support Specialist will catalog archival materials to facilitate organization and accessibility for future digital scanning. This role involves reviewing, describing, and classifying historical documents, photographs, and other archival records using standardized metadata and cataloging systems. The specialist will ensure accurate and consistent data entry, supporting the long-term preservation and retrieval of archival collections. In addition, the position will develop educational resources and exhibits that increase public access to and understanding of archival collections, and collaborate with the augmented reality development team to create immersive digital experiences that enhance interpretation and engagement. Strong attention to detail, experience with cataloging principles, and the ability to translate archival materials into engaging educational content are essential.

About the Wilder School

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University is a nationally recognized leader in public affairs education, research and community engagement. Named for L. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first elected African American governor, the school reflects his enduring commitment to public service, independent thought, principled leadership, civic engagement and excellence in government.

The Wilder School’s mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 36 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 6 in Homeland Security Programs, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,400 students and more than 12,000 alumni, with an established environment where multiple perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the communities we serve providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at wilder.vcu.edu. 

Summary

Library Services Specialists perform professional work requiring in-depth knowledge of one or more specializations within Library Services such as circulation, collections, reference, research, cataloging, electronic resources, interlibrary loans, and/or acquisitions. Their typical duties may include recommending, implementing, and interpreting operational policies, procedures, and systems; supervising the maintenance of an assigned library collection or electronic media and equipment, including selection, evaluation, appraisal, and purchase of library materials; assisting staff and/or professional/faculty librarians in completion of complex assignments to which special knowledge or skill is applicable; consulting and advising faculty and staff members in the selection and acquisition of materials; providing complex reference and resource services as required in the subject area or area of specialty. They may work independently or as a member of a team. Library Services Specialists work under general supervision, making complex decisions independently and referring unprecedented issues to an upper-level manager. Library Services Specialists typically report to a manager or director or in some units may report to an administrator. Professional credentialing may be required.

Typical Duties

1. Administrative: 

• Review, organize, and catalog archival materials using established classification systems.
• Create detailed descriptions and apply metadata to ensure accurate record-keeping.
• Maintain consistency in data entry and classification to support long-term accessibility.
• Collaborate with archivists and librarians to refine cataloging workflows and standards.
• Ensure proper documentation of cataloged materials for future digital scanning.
• Attend meetings with the library team and collections vendor to provide project updates and ensure alignment with cataloging and digitization goals. Represent the Institute at local, state, and national public policy meetings.

2. Digital and Educational Engagement:

• Design, develop, and maintain digital and physical exhibits that translate archival collections into engaging educational experiences for diverse audiences.
• Create educational resources, instructional materials, toolkits, lesson plans, and interpretive content that promote public understanding and use of the Wilder Digital Library collections.
• Collaborate with researchers, historians, librarians, faculty, and community partners to ensure exhibits and educational materials are historically accurate, accessible, and aligned with institutional goals.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the augmented reality (AR) development team to plan, coordinate, test, and implement immersive educational experiences that enhance public engagement with archival collections.
• Assist in developing exhibit concepts, storylines, scripts, multimedia content, and digital assets for use across web-based, mobile, and AR platforms.
• Evaluate exhibit effectiveness and user engagement, recommending updates and enhancements based on visitor feedback, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital interpretation.
• Coordinate project timelines, content development, and quality assurance for exhibit and educational resource initiatives.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in library science, study history, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and analytical skills to ensure accuracy and consistency. 
• Comfortable handling historical documents and working in a library or archival setting.
• Experience cataloging or organizing materials through coursework, internships, or professional work. 
• Willing to work with a team, follow instructions, and document processes.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: 27211N - Library Specialist 1

Contact Name: Nakeina Douglas-Glenn
Contact Email: nedouglas@vcu.edu