Division
Department
Rate of pay
Position type
Number of positions available
Scheduled hours
This student assistant position is scheduled between 12 and 20 hours per week. Scheduled shifts are dependent on student assistant’s availability and the operational priorities and needs of the division and/or department.
Purpose of the position
The Special Collections & Archives (SCA) Public Services Student Assistant provides courteous, efficient service primarily in support of the Public Services Department by paging, shelving, and serving on the Reference Desk. They also assist SCA Technical Services and Digital Collections as needed with a variety of tasks and projects.
Duties & responsibilities
Special Collections & Archives Desk:
- Serve patrons by sitting at the Reference Desk and greeting and checking in visitors, completing registrations, answering questions, pulling materials, and requesting additional staff assistance when needed.
- Communicate Special Collections & Archives procedures and policies to patrons.
- Page materials for patrons and staff from our closed stacks.
- Monitor collection handling and security in the Reading Room.
- Demonstrate how to use the scanning equipment in the Reading Room.
- Compile and perform data entry for usage statistics, patron statistics, and registration forms.
- Photocopy and scan materials for reference queries and staff requests as needed.
- Retrieve materials requested from LASR on the 1st floor.
- Clean the Reading Room by dusting and wiping surfaces.
- Help patrons locate material in open stacks upon request.
Stacks Maintenance:
- Shelve all materials (books, maps, photos, periodicals, vertical files, etc.)
- Process new books by creating book flags and inserting tattle tape or fitting Mylar covers.
- Shift collections as assigned to ensure adequate space is available for growing collections.
- Shelf read collections to ensure correct order and uncover any missing or misplaced materials.
- Create labels for periodical boxes.
Technical Services and Digital Collections:
- Assist with processing tasks such as determining dates for folder material in finding aids and re-boxing or re-foldering materials.
- Enter collection information into individual Archives Space finding aid records.
- Transport collections to LASR for storage as needed.
- Assist with metadata enhancement projects as needed.
- Check gift books against catalog to determine existing holdings.
Other:
- Perform individual projects involving data entry and use of software like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, Airtable, and other programs.
- Assist in opening and closing the Division if working during either shift.
- Assist with administrative duties such as ordering office supplies, making labels, etc.
- Supervise authorized visitors and service providers in restricted areas of the division.
- Assist staff with tours, events, visiting classes, and creating promotional content.
- Attend training sessions as required.
- Attend student assistant meetings as required.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Working conditions
Sitting at a computer screen, physically lifting and moving materials weighing up to 50 lbs., maneuvering book trucks weighing up to 100 lbs., bending and stretching, and exposure to dust. Capable of reading labels for shelving and shelf reading.
Qualifications
Required:
- Customer service skills and high energy level
- Ability to lift up to 40lbs
- Ability to push and pull fully loaded book trucks weighing up to 100lbs
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow directions
- Performs independently and able to remain flexible when changes are needed
- Effective communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
Preferred:
- Experience with Microsoft Office preferred
- Experience working in a library environment preferred