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Student Employment Job Descriptions

• Archives Assistant (Digitization Technician)
• Archives Reading Room Assistant
• Cataloging Assistant
• Circulation Assistant
• Circulation Student Supervisor
• Digital Reformatting Center Assistant
• Interlibrary Loan Assistant
• Library Internet & Instruction Assistant
• Periodicals Assistant
• Reference Assistant
• Preservation Technician
• Stacks Assistant
• Stacks Student Supervisor

Currently, all library student staff positions for the 2009-2010 academic year are filled. Please check back periodically for available employment.

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: Reference & Processing Archivist
Schedule: Hours vary between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday

Duties

• Registers patrons and orient 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.
• Retrieves books from Founders storage as needed.
• 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.
• Retrieves books from Founders storage as needed.
• 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

Digital Reformatting Center Assistant

Assists in the Digital Reformatting Center to create high quality, searchable digital images of materials in the library collections to accepted standards and specifications. In particular, the DRC Technician will be assisting with file creation and correction for the library’s Dickens Digitization Project (aka Project Boz ).

Reports to: Preservation Librarian and Assistant Director for Collections Management
Schedule: Hours vary between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Duties

• Scanning student IQP/MQP Projects written prior to e-submission
• Creates PDF/A files from TIF images files using ABBYY FineReader 9.0
• Corrects textual OCR errors using ABBYY FineReader 9.0
• May assist in digital imaging
• Keeps work area neat and clean

Qualifications

• Superior attention to detail and good judgment
• Ability to consistently follow very detailed instructions
• Ability to communicate and to articulate complex problems
• Willingness to learn new techniques
• Love of books (especially Charles Dickens) a big plus !

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 Internet & Instruction 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.

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: Preservation Librarian
Schedule: Hours vary, Mon-Fri between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Duties

• Reinforces new books for the collection by laminating and paperback-stiffening.
• Constructs protective enclosures such as mylar and map stock wrappers, and covers for spiral bound materials.
• 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 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 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.

Maintained by lib-webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: Sep 14, 2009, 16:51 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