Student- TUSC Reference Desk

This position is to begin as soon as agreed upon for the semester and end on a determined basis. We are hiring a student that is available for the Fall into the Spring 2027 semester. No more than 20 hours per week is allowed for all combined student positions. Please keep this in mind when applying for this position.

This position is for a student assistant to work at the Reference Desk of Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC). We are located in room 202 of Jones Hall. TUSC is open to the Tulane community and general public weekdays 10am-4:30pm. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-in patrons are welcome. We provide access to the library's Rare Books collection and archives from the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music, Louisiana Research Collection, Southeastern Architectural Archive, and University Archives.

Hours of Operation: Shifts are available during our operating hours from 9am-4:30pm. Hours per week: Student assistants will be expected to work 10-20 hours per week. Schedule: Flexible but 3 to 4 hours per shift preferred.

Hourly Pay Rate: The wage begins at $12 per hour.

The position is in-person.

The work at the TUSC reference desk entails: 

• Greet patrons, direct to assigned tables


• Provide guidelines on proper handling of archival materials


• May provide basic research assistance using the library catalog and Archives Space, page additional material for patrons, and provide help with scanning services

Other tasks include: 

• Answer reference telephone calls


• Reshelve materials


• Fulfill duplication requests via email 


• Assisting with projects, social media, exhibits and special events


• Basic archival processing tasks


• Data entry

• Active enrollment as a student at Tulane University


• Ability to push book trucks and lift heavy boxes (up to 20 to 30lbs) 


• Basic technical skills using scanners, printers, Microsoft excel


• Great customer service - you will be working directly with researchers 


• Reliable and punctual


• Familiarity with Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal System preferred but not required 


• This position is limited to students with Federal Work Study (FWS) funding. See this page for more information about work study: Federal Work Study Program | Human Resources (tulane.edu)

REQUIRED WITH APPLICATION:

Please submit a cover letter with information about your experience. Also- you must submit a screenshot of your class schedule from classschedule.tulane.edu and a screenshot of your work-study acceptance and amount from Gibson if applying with FWS. 

About Us:

Everyone here at the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library strives to make this a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space. We’re looking for students who are outgoing, thrive on public interactions, and enjoy showing off the library’s resources.