Graduate Assistant - Mickel Library

Job Title: Graduate Assistant (GA) – Mickel Library

Position Type: Graduate Assistantship

Workload: 5 hours per week

Compensation:

• Three (3) credit hours per Fall term and three (3) credit hours per Spring term.
• A $2,000 annual stipend, distributed in monthly payments over the academic year.

Role Overview

This position supports library operations by staffing the circulation/service desk and providing essential assistance to patrons. The GA manages library operations and services in the absence of a librarian. An undergraduate intern is typically on duty as well, but the GA must be prepared to staff the desk independently.

Key Responsibilities

Circulation & Desk Operations

• Manage library operations and services in the absence of a full-time librarian, utilizing on-call support (a librarian will be reachable by phone if needed or available in person if necessary).
• Supervise any undergraduate intern working concurrently.
• Provide basic library services at the circulation/service desk, including managing book check-outs, returns, and course reserves for students and faculty.
• Answer the main library phone line, providing basic information, routing calls, or taking accurate messages for the librarians.
• Answer initial patron questions at the desk, referring complex or advanced inquiries to the librarians.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional service desk environment.
• Monitor and empty internal and external library book drops periodically.
• Conduct daily opening or closing protocols, including checking and securing common library spaces.

Technical & Facilities Support

• Assist university students with basic computer, network login, and printing needs. Act as the primary guide for navigating the "Follow Me" printing system, troubleshooting alternate print choices, and guiding new students through basic login steps. Route advanced technical disruptions to the Campus Technology department.
• Maintain public printing and copier areas by replenishing paper supplies, replacing empty toner cartridges, clearing minor paper jams, and keeping workstations tidy.

Catalog & Research Assistance

• Assist patrons with simple searches for items using the online catalog or databases, reinforcing search steps taught in standard information literacy classes by showing them the steps on the screen.
• Guide patrons to exact physical locations within the library stacks. Effectively identify and refer advanced research requests to a librarian.

Collection Care & Logistics

• Shelve returned items, distribute library mail, and run departmental errands across campus.
• Assist with processing and tracking interlibrary loan (ILL) / PASCAL deliveries.
• Help prepare outgoing and incoming graduate master’s theses and doctoral dissertations according to bindery requirements.

Available Shifts

Applicants must specify which of the following schedule blocks they are interested in:

• Schedule 1: Mondays and Wednesdays (8:30 PM – 11:00 PM)
• Schedule 2: Tuesdays (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
• Schedule 3: Thursdays (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
• Schedule 4: Saturdays (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
• Schedule 5: Sundays (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
• Schedule 6: Sundays (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM)

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a qualifying graduate program at Converse University.
• Dependable, punctual, and highly detail-oriented.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and maintain professional oversight of the facility. Ability to work independently, follow library policies and procedures, and supervise interns. 

Detailed training will be provided at the start of the assistantship, with additional training over the course of the assistantship as needed.

To Apply:
Please email a resume and the contact information for two professional or academic references to Wade Woodward (wade.woodward@converse.edu). Please indicate your preferred schedule block in your application message.