LRS Student Assistant I
June 1, 2016
MSU Library Mission Statement
The library's mission is to facilitate student and faculty success by providing access to
information and knowledge.
LRS Mission Statement
The Learning and Research Services Department (LRS) is the vibrant user-centered public face of
the MSU Library. We provide instruction and access to information in support of the research and
intellectual needs of MSU, Montana, and the global community.
Position Summary:
The LRS Student Assistant I is an important role in the Learning and Research
Services (LRS) department, working on the front-lines of library service to help
the department fulfill its mission. The MSU Library receives more foot traffic
than any other building on campus, and most often, the LRS student assistants are
the first people library patrons encounter during their visit to the library. Because
of this, excellent customer service skills and attitude are a must for this position.
At times the work can be very task oriented, therefore strong attention to detail is
also required. Duties are many and varied, and combine task oriented work,
public facing customer service duties, and technical assistance.
Daily work will include staffing the Borrow Desk and answering questions,
checking in and out library materials, shelving materials throughout the library,
responding to technical questions, performing specialty print jobs, and
maintaining library equipment.
LRS Student Assistant I’s may also be asked to assist with departmental events
and projects as appropriate and as fits their schedules and particular attributes or
skills.
Required Attributes:
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Proactive Customer Service attitude
Professional and friendly attitude & demeanor
Appropriate dress. Doesn’t have to be professional, but must be clean and
respectfully represent the department.
With training, able to independently resolve questions/problems or refer
them as appropriate
Aptitude for acquiring technical skills
Willingness and ability to work weekends, late nights until 2:30am, or
early mornings starting at 7:00am.
Ability to work both independently under minimal supervision as well as
collaboratively with other departmental students, staff, and faculty
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Dependable
Preferred Skills:
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Previous paid or volunteer work in a library is a plus, as is previous
experience in customer service.
Ability to multitask.
Computing skills across both PC and Mac hardware & software
environments.
Experience working in latest Microsoft Windows Operating Systems and
with Microsoft Office products.
Specific Job Duties:
LRS student assistants generally split their time in three primary areas: Borrow
Desk (primary), Stacks Maintenance (primary), and Commons (secondary, not all
students do this.)
Borrow Desk:
• Provide customer service to MSU students, assistants, and the general
public
• Answer or refer patron questions, both in person and on the phone
• Record Borrow Desk statistics
• Check library materials in/out
• Renew library materials
• Collect fines
• Accept hold and search requests
• Answer telephone
• Explain policies and procedures
• Operate cash register
• Provide customer assistance and troubleshooting for a wide range of
technical issues including:
o Issues/questions with library public computers
o Issues/questions related to library computer peripherals (printer,
scanner, etc.)
o Issues/questions related to software applications
o Specialty printing services (large format, color, etc.)
Stacks Maintenance:
• Pick up, sort, and shelve library materials
• Shift materials as needed
• Stacks Maintenance: Includes shelf reading, putting items in call number
order, dusting, reporting hardware and collection problems.
• Provide customer service by answering or referring patron’s questions
while working in the stacks
• Works on stacks maintenance projects as directed by the Stacks
Maintenance Supervisor.
Commons Support:
• Replace paper and toner in public printers and copiers.
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Maintain public office supplies in the library including staplers, scrap
paper, golf pencils, paperclips, scotch tape, and group room dry erase
markers.
Inventory materials in the Reference Collection
Periodically straighten public printing areas and seating arrangements
throughout the library
Special projects as assigned
Supervision:
LRS student assistants are supervised in a tiered system:
First and foremost, the Borrow Desk Supervisor and Stacks Maintenance
Supervisor are the primary supervisors of all LRS student assistants.
Secondarily:
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Students scheduled for Commons shifts will be supervised by the LRS
Lead Staff Member & Commons Assistant
All student assistants are supervised by any LRS classified staff assigned
to Borrow Desk or Building supervisory shifts
LRS Student Assistant I’s are mentored by Senior LRS Student Assistants
on duty, who are available for first tier support and who have specific
override capability.
Standard Hours for this Position:
Fall and spring semesters, regular shifts are available:
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Monday – Thursday, 7:00am – 2:30am
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Friday, 7:00am – 8:30pm
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Saturday, 10:00am – 5:30pm
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Sunday, 9:00am – 2:30am
Intersession and summer semester shifts are available as fits the student’s
schedule.