Student Hourly - Resource Sharing - Watson Library

Center for Public Partnerships & Research; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Watson Library seeks a student hourly to support the Acquisitions & Resource Sharing team in handling mail, check-ins, processing, and records maintenance. This role emphasizes accuracy, speed, and adherence to time-sensitive procedures in a busy library environment.

You will work on tasks from opening mail to scanning for electronic delivery, with no remote work option and a typical on-site schedule during library hours.

Qualifications

• Experience with library catalogues and databases as evidenced by application materials.
• Commitment to public service and accuracy in handling materials.
• Ability to learn and use library systems and scanning software quickly.

Responsibilities

• Open incoming mail and process materials for circulation.
• Check-in library materials in ILLiad and Voyager systems.
• Process materials (holds, checkout, labeling, routing).
• Prepare borrowed material for mailing to lending libraries.
• Sort and shelve journals in Watson periodicals location.
• Create, edit and maintain library records.
• Retrieve print books and journals from KU collections.
• Scan items for electronic delivery.
• Search KU electronic journal subscriptions for requested materials.
• Assist with statistical projects and usage reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Library systems experience

Public service mindset

Technology proficiency

Western European languages

Independent work

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Tools

ILLiad

Voyager

Scanners

Word processing

Adobe Acrobat

Databases

Job description

Position Overview

This position is in the Acquisitions & Resource Sharing department in Watson Library. We obtain resources/materials (books, journals, videos, PDFs, etc.) in any format (print & electronic) by purchasing, borrowing, or other means, which are needed by students, faculty, and staff to support informational and research needs. We also provide materials from KU’s collections to other libraries worldwide, as well as manage serials & electronic resources. Our student employees help open mail, locate books in the stacks, scan books and journals, and perform other office tasks. This position requires a high level of accuracy and speed, as well as the ability to quickly learn and retain very detailed, time-sensitive, and complex procedures. The work performed must meet established quality and turnaround time standards.

Job Description

• 10% - Opening incoming mail (i.e. books, media items, journal issues, etc.)
• 10% - Checking-in library materials in various systems (ILLiad, Voyager)
• 10% - Processing library materials (including placing holds, checking out, labeling, & routing)
• 10% - Preparing borrowed material to be mailed back to lending libraries
• 10% - Sorting and shelving journals in Watson periodicals location
• 10% - Creating, editing and maintaining library records
• 10% - Retrieving print books and journals from KU’s collection
• 10% - Scanning items for electronic delivery
• 10% - Searching KU’s electronic journal subscriptions for requested materials to provide to requester
• 5% - Statistical projects & running/verifying usage report
• 5% - Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Availability and willingness to work a regular assigned schedule of at least 10 hours a week between 8 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday, and work in blocks of at least 1 - 2 hours, as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Library work experience, as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience which required a commitment to public service, as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience with computers, library online catalog, scanners and software applications, e.g. word processing, adobe acrobat, databases, as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience working with one or more Western European languages, as evidenced by application materials.
• Work experience which required working independently on complex tasks with little direct supervision, as evidenced by application materials.
• Work experience that required accuracy and performance of extremely detailed work, as evidenced by application materials.
• Previous work experience requiring problem solving 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).

Student employees must be willing to maintain an assigned work schedule.

Employment Conditions

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

Advertised Salary Range

$11.00 per hour

Anticipated Start Date

Monday August 24, 2026