Student Curator

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

KU Libraries is seeking motivated student curators to showcase library book collections in an exhibition. The role offers a chance to learn collection development theories while curating a focused set of books aligned with university interests and audience relevance.

Responsibilities include researching materials, learning collection development, creating displays, curating a book collection, and meeting with a supervisory librarian for guidance.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Research selected topics to identify materials for the collection, including primary and secondary sources.
• Learn library collection development theories and practices, 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

Position Overview

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

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

Additional Candidate Instructions

• 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.

Contact Information to Applicants

Sara Outhier

[e-mail]

Advertised Salary Range

$15.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday September 7, 2026