Library Support Specialist, Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE)

Virginia Commonwealth University•Richmond, VA

1d•$47,500 - $50,000•Hybrid

About The Position

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 This role involves reviewing, describing, and classifying historical documents, photographs, and other archival records using standardized metadata and cataloging systems.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.

Requirements

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Comfortable handling historical documents and working in a library or archival setting.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.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in library science, study history, or related field.
Experience with metadata standards (e.g., MARC, Dublin Core, EAD).
Familiarity with archival management or cataloging software.
Understanding of digital preservation practices and scanning workflows.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

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.
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.