Student Circulation Assistant - Watson Public Services

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 12,501 - 17,805; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Libraries in Lawrence seeks a Public Services Student Assistant to be the welcoming face of KU Libraries. The role emphasizes friendly customer service in person, by phone, and by email to assist library users.

Position includes 80% library customer service and 20% shelving maintenance/public operations, with flexible hours and training. Requires at least 6 months of customer service experience; on-site work with heavy lifting. Starts Aug 17, 2026 at $11/hour.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 months of customer service experience.
• Experience working with the public and peers is preferred.
• Library work experience or familiarity with KU Libraries is a plus.
• Proficiency with Office, Google Docs and Adobe products as evidenced by materials.

Responsibilities

• Provide helpful and friendly assistance to library users in person, by phone, and by email.
• Answer user questions and give general information and directions.
• Check out, return and shelve library materials.
• Assist users with library equipment and technology.
• Perform shelving and collection maintenance tasks.
• Support public operations by setting up and breaking down furniture for events.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Office

Google Docs

Adobe

Job description

Position Overview

Do you enjoy helping others? As a Public Services Student Assistant, you would be the face of KU Libraries! Successful candidates for the Public Services positions at Watson Library will exemplify excellent customer service skills.

This position requires a willingness to maintain an assigned work schedule and the flexibility to cover shifts for others. The ideal candidate will be available to work the hours required for a particular opening and will be open to committing to ongoing training in addition to their work schedule. Preferred candidates will also have availability to work when classes are not in session.

This position requires the ability to maneuver and lift heavy books along with standing for two hours or more at a time.

Job Description

80% - Library Customer Service

• Provide helpful and friendly assistance to library users in a variety of ways, including in-person, telephone, and by email.
• Answer library user questions, provide general information and directional guidance.
• Check out, return and shelve library materials.
• Assist library users with library equipment and technology.

20% - Shelving Maintenance & Public Operations Assistance

• Perform variety of collection maintenance duties, such as shelving, shelf reading, shifting and organizing collections.
• Support library public operations like setting up and breaking down furniture for events and related activities.

Required Qualifications

1. Minimum of 6 months of customer service experience, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Previous experience working with the public and peers, as evidenced by application materials.
2. Previous work experience which required excellent customer service to library users, as evidenced by application materials.
3. Library work experience and/or familiarity with KU Libraries as a user, as evidenced by application materials.
4. Previous work experience with included computer skills, including experience with Office, Google Docs and Adobe products, as evidenced by application materials.
5. Work study eligibility.
6. Previous experience working with the Library of Congress classifications system, as evidenced by application materials.

Position Requirements

During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).

Employment Conditions

Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.

(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.

(3) Student employees will commit to ongoing training in addition to their work schedule.

(4) This position requires the ability to maneuver and lift heavy books along with standing for two hours or more at a time.

Additional Candidate Instructions

A complete employment application for this position consists of the following:

• Online application (Work Availability grid must be filled out)
• Cover Letter addressing how the required and preferred qualifications are met
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for three professional references

Contact Information to Applicants

Asher Dean
[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$11.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday August 17, 2026