Library Student EmployeesMatt Anderson

Library Student AssistantsMake it possible to be open at odd hoursCan do routine work, freeing librarians to do more complex tasksCan work brief shiftsBring valuable, hard-to-find skills (like foreign languages or technical skills)Are not replacements for full-time people

Library Student AssistantsStudent assistants in the past:Emerged in 1800sDidnt work with the public until the 1930sUsually handled card-filing and basic preservation of materialsWere in demand in the 1970s to help improve cultural diversity of the library staffSource: Sweetman, K.B. (2007). Managing student assistants: a how-to-do-it manual for librarians. New York: Neal-Schuman.

Library Student AssistantsIn access services:75% of ARL libraries have more student employees now than they did in 1995Often fill positions as:Acquisitions assistantsCirculation desk assistantsGovernment information assistantsInterlibrary loan aidesReserve desk assistantsShelvers

Why Students Work in LibrariesAs a student, what would make you apply to work in a library?

Why Students Work in LibrariesStudents want to work at libraries because:They can work night and weekend hoursThere is access to materials they needThey see libraries as a place where they can socialize with their friends

Why Students Work in LibrariesThe primary reason students choose to work in libraries:42% learning to balance my time between work and studies21.1% purely to earn money21.1% training myself to be a responsible person15.8% gaining some work experienceSource: Yang, Z.Y. (2007). Survey of interlibrary loan and document delivery student assistants' job satisfaction: communication and feedback. Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Information Supply 17 (4), p. 149-159.

Why Students Work in LibrariesStudies indicate on-campus jobs increase the likelihood of graduation

Your New JobWhen you interview for an academic librarian job, do you ask about the librarys student employees?

Your New JobIt is important to adapt to the librarys culture at first, rather than imposing changesPeople do not want to hear about how different things were at your last libraryAsking existing employees about themselves is like an informal interviewIdentifying each individuals needs is important

Recruiting and Interviewing StudentsStudents can have many different statuses, including:VolunteerResearch assistantInternHourlyFellowFederal Work-Study

Recruiting and Interviewing StudentsFederal Work-StudyAllows students to earn money while attending school without having to repayStudents must be at least half-timeAt some institutions, FWS makes for a higher hourly wageInstitutions only end up paying 25-50% of the wageFWS employees can be reassigned

Recruiting and Interviewing StudentsThe interview should address:Experience (but not be totally based on experience)Technical knowledgeCreativityExperience working with the publicWhat the student likes about the library and the collectionFuture plans (but realize that many students change their plans fairly often)

Training a Student EmployeeEmployees without much work experience need A LOT of training and repetitionTraining two 20-hour students takes more time than training one 40-hour employee

Training a Student EmployeeNothing can ruin the students experience faster than miscommunication with a supervisor

The Students ExperienceYangs survey of 19 (17 undergrads and 2 grad students) student assistants at Texas A&M found:Only 5.3% felt daily job assignments were too large15.8% said their supervisor had not trained them thoroughly57.9% thought they worked as hard as their supervisorsFewer than half would like to have a student training manual84.2% preferred supervisors to offer feedback in person

The Students Experience68.4% felt free to voice frustrations to supervisors89.5% felt free to voice frustrations to other staff membersSource: Yang, Z.Y. (2007). Survey of interlibrary loan and document delivery student assistants' job satisfaction: communication and feedback. Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery & Information Supply 17 (4), p. 149-159.

The Students ExperienceProblematic student employees:ComplainProcrastinateBecome lazyHave low moraleAre absent or lateHave personal problemsHave personality problemsRefuse to do thingsGossipDress inappropriately

CommunicationWhen communicating with student employees face-to-face:ListenSmileAcknowledge their good work

CommunicationWhen communicating with student employees via email:Avoid ramblingProof what you send themMake sure your audience can understand what you meanDont work too hard on trying to impress

Good Student AssistantsWill have a more positive academic experience for having worked in a libraryWill help you get work doneWill make you a better librarian

Library Student EmployeesQuestions? Comments?

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