Student Assistant Information

The University Libraries at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill employs over 400 Student Assistants each year in many different departments. The job descriptions of Student Assistants working in the University Libraries encompass a wide range of opportunities such as:  filing, typing, editing, shelving books, assisting patrons, checking books in/out, maintaining stacks, enforcing library policies, reserve processing, acquisitions, cataloging, online searching, maintaining operational hours, working with local databases, and other special projects. Student Assistant positions allow students to learn more about the library system while gaining a hands-on experience with the operations of libraries.

Resources

Benefits

  • No experience required
  • On campus employment makes getting to class a lot easier
  • Flexible hours scheduled around your classes
  • Gain experience to begin building your resume
  • Learn successful researching tips (which will come in handy for that term paper due next week!)
  • Competitive pay with rate increases available after two semesters

Pay Rate

The starting rate for Student Assistants is $10.05 per hour. Student Assistants are eligible for a rate increase of $0.50 after completing two semesters of employment.

Employment Eligibility

To be eligible for student employment, you must be a registered student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You will need to provide documentation to accompany an I-9 form (see List of Acceptable Documents for the I-9) and must complete State and Federal tax forms and a Direct Deposit Authorization form via ConnectCarolina after your start date.

Application Process

To apply for a Student Assistant position in the University Libraries, you need to complete the following steps:

  • Complete a Student Assistant Employment Application. (Applications are available online).
  • Visit the individual library or department(s) for which you are seeking employment. (There is no limit on the number of departments to which you can apply for employment. It is suggested you make multiple copies of your application for distribution.)
  • Submit your application to the hiring supervisor for review.
  • The supervisor will make the hiring decisions and will contact you for an interview.
  • If you are the selected candidate, the supervisor will complete the upper portion of the Student Assistant Application, and will inform the Library Human Resources Office to contact you about the next steps in the hiring process prior to you beginning any work.

Potential Employing Departments

Student Assistant positions are posted online on the Libraries’ Job Opportunities webpage. The departments below are also the primary employing units for Student Assistants. You may contact individual departments to inquire about job openings.

Circulation

Located in Davis Library, Student Assistants employed by the Circulation Department (919-962-1053) assist patrons with check out and renewal of materials; answer informational questions; discharge, sort, and shelve materials; and assist with other duties as needed. Evening and weekend hours may be available.

Branch Libraries

Located in buildings across campus, the departmental libraries are specialized, subject-based libraries. Student Assistants in the departmental libraries assist with a wide range of duties in a much smaller setting. Duties may include circulation, assisting patrons with questions, working with reserve materials, discharging, sorting and shelving materials, and other duties as needed. Evening and weekend hours may be available. For job openings contact individual libraries.

Health Sciences Library

The Health Sciences Library is the primary library for the UNC-Chapel Hill Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and UNC Hospitals. Student Assistants in the Health Sciences Library help with a wide range of duties, which may include circulation; helping patrons with basic questions; special projects such as creating spreadsheets or designing signs and staff training materials; pulling journals; shelving books; scanning; photocopying articles; and basic book repair. Evening, weekend, and academic break hours may be available. To learn more about these positions, please contact the Clinical, Academic, and Research Engagement Department (919-962-0800) or the Interlibrary Loan Department (919-966-4998).

Research & Instructional Services

Located in Davis Library, the Main Research & Instructional Services Department (919-962-1053) employs Student Assistants who answer questions and assist patrons. Student Assistants in the Research & Instructional Services Department may also work as desk assistants in processing and shelving materials in Government Documents, Microforms, or the Global Resources and Area Studies units. Student employees in this department receive extensive training in reference materials, both in print and online. Evening and weekend hours may be available. Some student positions in the Research & Instructional Services Department are paid at a higher rate. To learn more about these positions, please contact the Research & Instructional Services Department.

Wilson Special Collections

Located in Wilson Library, Special Collection departments include the North Carolina Collection,  Rare Book Collection, Research & Instructional Services, Southern Folklife Collection, Southern Historical Collection, Technical Services, and University Archives and Records Management. Student Assistants in Special Collection departments work with rare and unique library materials and assist with circulation, reference, and directing patrons. Weekend hours may be available. You may contact individual departments to inquire about job openings.

Technical Services

The Technical Services departments include E-Resources & Serials Management; Monographic Services; Resource, Description & Management; and Preservation. Located in Davis Library, student employees in these departments assist with searching print and online resources to aid in the selection, acquisition, and cataloging of newly acquired materials and preparing materials for circulation. You may contact the individual departments about job openings.

Undergraduate Library

The Undergraduate Library (919-962-1355) and the Media & Design Center employs Student Assistants to assist with circulation duties. Student Assistants in the UL work with materials in a number of formats (print, electronic, video, audio) and assist with the course reserve collections. Evening and weekend hours may be available. Some student positions in the Undergraduate Library are paid at a higher rate. To learn more about these positions, please contact the Undergraduate Library.