Student - Library Circulation Desk

Tulane University Libraries; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Tulane University Libraries is seeking a student assistant for the Howard–Tilton Memorial Library Circulation Desk to support patrons with check out, resource location, and basic printing tasks. This on-site role offers hands-on library experience in a welcoming academic setting.

You will provide basic to intermediate research help in person and via chat, become familiar with library databases and guides, and refer complex questions to subject librarians.

Qualifications

• This position requires federal work-study funding through the starting semester.
• Experience using library resources (databases, articles, books, guides) is preferred.
• Candidates should be outgoing and enjoy public interactions.
• Ability to assist with locating resources and basic printing; orient patrons to services.
• Familiarity with the library FAQ and general reference questions.

Responsibilities

• Check out and discharge books at the Circulation Desk and assist patrons with locating resources.
• Help patrons in person and online, including basic printing and directions.
• Provide basic to intermediate research help via chat and in person.
• Become familiar with databases, guides, and library resources; refer complex questions to a subject librarian.
• Participate in two days of training on chat monitoring and research methods.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Research assistance

Public interaction

Library resources familiarity

Job description

This position is to begin as soon as agreed upon for the semester and end on a determined basis, and requires federal work study funding. See this page for more information about work study: Federal Work Study Program | Human Resources (tulane.edu)

Responsibilities

At the Circulation Desk (Check Out Desk), the student assistant will check out and discharge books for library patrons, assist them with how to locate resources within the library and online, and help them with basic printing and directional questions.

Knowledge of scholarly research techniques using books, articles, and databases is preferred.

The student assistant will also provide basic to intermediate research help via chat and in person. Basic to intermediate research help includes searching for known titles of books or conducting an exploratory search for material on a given subject. The student assistant will become familiar with the various physical and electronic resources available through the library website including databases, library guides, and more. The student assistant will refer users with more in-depth questions to the suitable subject librarian. The student worker will be familiar with the library's FAQ.

Training for chat monitoring and research help will be two days for about two hours each day. The first day will be going over the library website. The second day will be going over research methods. A detailed online guide with examples and more will be provided.

If you are interested in library science, this position will be great experience. Several previous student workers have gone on to become professional librarians.

Required With Application

Please submit a cover letter with information about work–study funding for the starting semester and about your experience using library resources (databases, articles, books, online guides, etc.). Also submit a screenshot of your class schedule from classschedule.tulane.edu and a screenshot of your work–study acceptance and amount from Gibson.

Everyone here at the Howard–Tilton Memorial Library strives to make this a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space. We’re looking for students who are outgoing, thrive on public interactions, and enjoy showing off the library’s resources.

This position will help student employees demonstrate and cultivate the career readiness competencies in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Tulane University is an equal opportunity educator and employer committed to providing an education and employment environment free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Legally protected demographic classifications (such as a person’s race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, shared ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws) are not relied upon as an eligibility, selection or participation criteria for Tulane’s employment or educational programs or activities.

Tulane University is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing an application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the Office of Human Resources by phone at 504-865-4748 or by email at [e-mail].