Student Curator

University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Libraries seek motivated student curators to showcase library book collections in an exhibition. This position offers the opportunity to learn about library collection development theories and practices, while curating a focused book collection that highlights a theme of personal interest and relevance to the university and others.

The semester appointment as a student hourly involves researching materials for the collection, learning library collection development

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.
• Coursework or work experience which required basic computer skills, as evidenced by application materials.

Responsibilities

• Research selected topics to identify materials for the collection.
• Learn library collection development, including theories of collection development and attending departmental meetings, and related readings.
• Create physical and electronic displays and present the collection in formats such as poster, video, social media post, slide deck, or book talk.
• Develop and implement selection criteria to research and curate a focused book collection for the library.
• Meet with supervisory librarian at regular intervals for updates and feedback.

Skills

Excellent communication

Basic computer skills

Job description

KU Libraries seek motivated and creative student curator(s) to showcase library book collections in an exhibition. This position offers the opportunity to learn about library collection development theories and practices, while curating a focused book collection that highlights a theme of personal interest and relevance to the university and others.

Job Description

40% - Research Materials for the Collection

• Research selected topics to identify materials for the collection, including primary and secondary sources.

25% - Learn Library Collection Development

• Learn library collection development, including theories of collection development and attending departmental meeting, and related readings.

20% - Create Displays

• Create a physical and electronic displays and present the collection in some format (poster, video, social media post, slide deck, book talk, etc.).

10% - Curate a Book Collection

• Develop and implement selection criteria to research and curate a focused book collection for the library.

5% - Meet With a Librarian

• Meet with supervisory librarian at regular intervals for updates and feedback.

Required Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.
• Coursework or work experience which required basic computer skills, 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

(1) 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.

Application Requirements

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Resume
• Cover letter addressing how the required qualifications are met
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application deadline is Thursday, 8/20/2026, by 11:59PM Central Standard Time.

Primary Campus

• Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus