Student Employment in the Library: Library Student Assistants - Summer

Scope

Library Student Assistants are responsible for the operation of the circulation desk and are the front face of the library.  They are customer service oriented and comfortable interacting with people using the library.  They also are responsible for the circulation of materials and equipment, and answering basic questions for people using the library.  Summer student employees will be assigned to other functions of the library such as, book processing, periodicals, special collections, and/or ILL.

SKILLS ACQUIRED/DEVELOPED ON THE JOB

1. Learn about library resources and operations
2. Improve communication, interpersonal and public services skills.
3. Improve organizational skills
4. Learn or improve knowledge of various software and technology in project-based tasks and day-to-day library administrative duties
5. Knowledge of Library of Congress organization

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants for this position must demonstrate good communication skills, customer service skills and good job knowledge, specifically,

• Ability to interact with the public
• Comfort with computers
• Dependable, responsible, punctual, flexible

Library Student Assistants must be an enrolled Transylvania student or have just graduated in May.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Library Student Assistants are under the direct supervision of the User Services & Instruction Librarian, though indirect supervision may occur under any number of other staff members, including especially Student Managers, the Interlibrary Loan Specialist/Night Supervisor, and the Head of Public Services.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Summer Library Student Assistants responsibilities include the following:

• Aiding and answering questions of patrons in the library; aiding and answering questions of campus visitors, especially those on Admissions tours
• Directing questions to the appropriate staff member
• Providing general information to users, including hours and room schedules
• Checking materials in and out
• Recording browse counts on items used in the building
• Shelving library materials
• Answering the telephone and directing calls
• Assisting with technology and resource management at the service desk
• Opening and closing the library
• Assisting staff with special projects or programs (including First Engagements)
• Assisting users with the navigation of the building
• Delivering and sorting mail

In addition, Summer Library Assistants will be assigned to work with other services in the library such as

• Assisting with interlibrary loan 
• Special Collections work, including collection management and assisting researchers
• Digitizing and processing historic materials from Special Collections so that they can be accessed by public
• Educational technology inventory/maintenance/training
• Featured items and new book shelf management
• Creating informational signs for the building
• Physically processing monographs

The library usually hires two Library Student Assistants for the summer.

Hours worked will be as assigned during the hours that the library is open.  The library is generally open 8:30-5pm during the summer. Summer Library Assistants work 36 hours per week on an agreed upon set schedule.

Library Assistants will also work the week of First Year orientation.  More on library hours.

Compensation is $11/hour.

Start date is included in the application form.

Summer housing may be available for students working on campus who do not live in Lexington. Applications for summer housing should be available in your Transy housing portal.