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Student Employment Job Descriptions

• Archives Assistant (Digitization Technician)
• Archives Reading Room Assistant
• Cataloging Assistant
• Circulation Assistant
• Circulation Student Supervisor
• Interlibrary Loan Assistant
• Library Instruction & Internet Assistant
• P.C. Lab Assistant
• Periodicals Assistant
• Reference Assistant
• Preservation Technician
• Stacks Assistant
• Stacks Student Supervisor

Apply now!

The Gordon Library has a limited number of positions available for the 2007-2008 academic year. Library employment opportunities may include:

Archives Assistant (Digitization Technician)

Assist Archives staff with digitization work, e.g. scanning, web work, and metadata entry.

Reports to: Curator of Special Collections & Archives
Schedule: Hours vary between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Duties

• Assists with scanning of photographs, printed materials for patrons or in-house use.
• Assists with web page creation and editing for Archives’ website or associated digital project projects.
• Assists with entering metadata in Archives’ collections management database or other databases
• Assists with creating and editing digital audio and video projects.
• Assists with photo-reproduction services, such as photocopying and digital photography
• Assists in opening and/or closing procedures of reading room.
• Assists Archives staff with other task, e.g. filing or shelving as needed

Qualifications

• Interest in history
• Familiarity with HTML, XML, and CSS
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop & Acrobat
• Experience with using relational databases
• Willingness to learn new software and technologies.
• Attention to detail
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Archives Reading Room Assistant

Assists patrons with use of the WPI Archives and Special Collections reading room.

Reports to: Curator of Special Collections & Archives
Schedule: Hours vary between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Duties

• Registers patrons and orientate them to reading room policies and procedures.
• Assists patrons with locating desired archival and special collections materials.
• Assists with photo-reproduction services, such as photocopying and scanning.
• Answers the telephone, directing calls to the proper staff member or taking messages.
• Answers directional questions for patrons.
• Assists in opening and/or closing procedures of reading room.
• Works on special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Public service oriented
• Dependable
• Familiar with WPI history
• Familiar with library & archives policies & procedures
• Attention to detail
• Good communication skills
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Cataloging Assistant

Assists cataloging staff in maintaining accurate records of library holdings.

Reports to: Cataloging Librarian
Schedule: Hours vary, Mon-Fri from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Duties

• Updates records in online catalog.
• Retrieves books from general collection.
• Special projects as assigned.
• Maintains Technical Reports area.

Qualifications

• Dependability
• Attention to detail
• Knowledge of Windows
• Keyboarding skills

Circulation Assistant

Assists patrons with use of library facilities and provides general and directional information.

Reports to: Access Services Librarian
Schedule: Hours vary, may include evening and weekend hours.

Duties

• Checks materials in and out from the circulating and reserves collections.
• Registers new patrons and edits patron records.
• Collects and records payments of fines and fees.
• Provides change for photocopy purposes.
• Identifies items needing mending and places on the repair truck.
• Answers the telephone, directing calls to the proper staff member or taking messages.
• Assists patrons in use of photocopiers, microfilm and microfiche reader/printers.
• Answers directional questions.
• Assists in opening and/or closing procedures of library.
• Works on special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Customer service oriented
• Dependablility
• Familiar with library procedures
• Attention to detail
• Good communication skills
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision

Circulation Student Supervisor

Supervises students and general operation of the Circulation Desk when full-time staff are not available.

Reports to: Access Services Librarian
Schedule: Weekend and evening hours

Duties

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of all library policies and procedures.
• Directs work of student assistants and supports them in maintaining library service standards.
• Resolves problems and handles complaints.
• Provides general informational assistance, including reference assistance, when full-time librarians are unavailable.
• Supervises opening and closing procedures.
• Assists in training of other student assistants.
• Notifies supervisor of problems encountered during shifts so appropriate action may be taken.
• Maintains communication with supervisor.
• Familiar with emergency procedures.

Qualifications

• Previous library experience
• Supervisory skills
• Customer service oriented
• Ability to handle stress and emergency situations
• Dependability
• Attention to detail
• Good communication skills

Interlibrary Loan Assistant

Assist in retrieving, photocopying, charging and processing items for Interlibrary Loan Department.

Reports to: Interlibrary Loan Librarian
Schedule: Hours vary, Mon-Fri between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Duties

• Photocopy journal, book and microfiche articles taking care to copy the correct pages and ensuring that copies are clear and readable.
• Charge out books on the Voyager system.
• Prepare articles and books for mailing using the proper mailing system (UPS, Shuttle, U.S. Mail, Ariel, Fax).
• Retrieve books and journals.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Library classification system.

Library Instruction & Internet Assistant

Assist in the production of materials, searches, and publicity for library instruction initiatives, including ongoing maintenance of library web pages.

Reports to: Manager of Instruction and Outreach
Schedule: Monday through Friday. Hours vary.

Duties

• Update the library web site, check links, etc. and assist with create of new web pages.
• Proofread and photocopy instruction materials.
• Assist in the creation & distribution of publicity for instruction sessions such as posters, e-mail announcements, and mailings.
• Set up the Anderson Instruction Lab for instruction sessions, sometimes software installation & troubleshooting.
• Assist with instruction sessions and conduct library tours.
• Assist with library events, such as student orientations, National Library Week, Vendor & Library Services Fair, and other outreach initiatives.
• Collate and analyze evaluation responses & library statistical information.
• Perform duties for the Reference and Interlibrary Loan departments, as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of basic research skills and use of library databases.
• Knowledge of HTML and web page design & creation.
• Knowledge of image editing tools, MS Office software suite, and ability to quickly learn SnagIt, Camtasia, and new technologies adopted by library staff.
• Dependable, flexible, and reliable.

P.C. Lab Assistant

Maintains Library's general use computers.

Reports to: Assistant Director for Library Systems
Schedule: Flexible hours

Duties

• Maintains the computers located in the public areas of the ibrary.
• Monitors computers for software and hardware problems, and reports problems to Assistant Director for Library Systems
• Troubleshoots and fixes computers, where possible. More involved problems are referred to the CCC Helpdesk for resolution.
• Re-images computers as directed by Assistant Director for Library Systems.
• May be asked to assist with other Library computer problems.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with personal computers and Windows Operating System.
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision.
• Good oral and written communication skills (to describe problems, solutions, etc.).

Periodicals Assistant

Assist in processing and maintaining periodicals collection.

Reports to: Periodicals Library Assistant
Schedule: Hours vary, Mon-Fri between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Duties

• Pick up and re-shelve journals from all floors and study areas daily.
• Survey use of journals daily.
• Process all checked in issues.
• Re-file fiche daily.
• Process all reference/periodical issues and shelve.
• Help prepare bindery shipments every 2 weeks.
• Process and shelve bindery materials as they are received from the bindery every 2 weeks.
• Maintain and organize all periodical titles, shelving, boxing, and recycling as needed.
• Help with special projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Dependability
• Able to work independently with little supervision.
• Accuracy.
• Good communication skills.

Reference Assistant

Assist Library patron with basic reference and information needs.

Reports to: Reference Coordinator and Access Services Librarian
Schedule: Hours vary, day and possibly weekend hours

Duties

• Assist users with use of the library electronic and paper resources.
• Provide basic reference and informational service, through use of in-person assistance, phone assistance and virtual service applications.
• Triage reference duties with Library Staff.
• Assist with special projects as they arise.

Qualifications

• Public Service oriented
• Dependable
• Familiarity with Library procedures and policies
• Attention to detail
• Able to work Independantly with minimal supervision
• Good communication skills.

Preservation Technician

Performs end-processing and conservation procedures on a variety of materials from both general and special collections. Uses repair techniques that maintain accepted treatment standards and specifications to ensure quality and consistency.

Reports to: Conservation Librarian
Schedule: Hours vary, Mon-Fri between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Duties

• Prepares materials for shelving and use by marking materials with ownership symbols, call numbers, barcodes, and security strips.
• Sorts and delivers library materials to proper departments for shelving.
• Repairs bound volumes from the general collections as directed, including rebacking, recasing and simple rebinding.
• Treats flat paper materials by surface cleaning and paper mending.
• Constructs protective enclosures such as mylar and map stock wrappers, and covers for spiral bound materials.
• Constructs supports for exhibition materials.
• Contributes to the smooth operation of the department by monitoring use of supplies.
• Keeps work area neat and tools clean.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of and respect for research materials and the role of the library.
• Superior manual dexterity, artistic sense and good judgment.
• Willingness to learn new techniques.
• Love of books

Stacks Assistant

Keeps assigned stack area in correct call number order, shelves returned items, pulls material for mending and corrections, and other stack related needs.

Reports to: Access Services Assistant
Schedule: Hours vary, may include evening and weekend hours.

Duties

• Shelves books in designated areas while removing any debris, papers, paper clips, etc.
• Shelf reads with accuracy in a timely fashion.
• Maintains shelves in a clean and orderly manner.
• Identifies material in need of repair.
• Conducts routine stack searches for overdue or missing items.
• Shifts library material as needed.
• Participates in inventory and relabeling projects.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Public service and detail oriented.
• Dependable work habits.
• Familiar with library classification system.

Stacks Student Supervisor

Supervises students in stacks maintenance.

Reports to: Access Services Assistant
Schedule: Hours vary, may include evening and weekend hours

Duties

• Directs work of student stacks assistants.
• Assists in the training of student stacks assistants.
• Oversees lost book searches and inventory of collection.
• Fills in as needed for shelving, shelf reading and cleaning.
• Maintains communication with supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Previous stacks experience
• Public service and detail oriented.
• Dependability.
• Familiar with library classification system.
• Supervisory skills
• Good communication skills.

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Last modified: Aug 13, 2008, 14:00 EDT

George C. Gordon Library - Worcester Polytechnic Institute
100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Phone: +1-508-831-5410 - Fax: +1-508-831-5829 - Library Questions