More Than Just Shelvers: Student Workers In The

Library

Nadia Mahernia, Learning Spaces Co-ordinatorSusan Murray, Head of Library Service

Content University Ethos Library Roles Special Collections Student Ambassadors Peer Academic Writing Mentors Interns Future Plans Benefits/Issues Things to think about

University ethos

Liverpool Hope has made a commitment to provide as much on campus employment for students

Hope Works through our Employability Hub co-ordinates recruitment

Students register their interest and are matched to roles

Covers a whole range of roles e.g., catering, student ambassadors, resident tutors, graduate advocates, etc

Library Roles

More recently more roles have been added:

Student Ambassadors Internships (for recent

graduates) Special Collections

Workers Peer Academic Writing

Mentors

All are paid roles and some are year round roles

Traditionally employed students as shelvers

Special Collections Student Workers

Working with the Special Collections Librarian undertake a range of tasks:

Processing new materials

Stock moves Checking stock for

duplicates Cleaning books using

our museum vac

Library Student AmbassadorsJob role at The Sheppard-Worlock LibraryProviding custodian support (monitor users and visitors entering the building)Support student use of the library and learning spaces facilities and equipment (distribution of keys for lockers, issue laptops, pin numbers, photocopiers)Referrals

Job role at the Creative CampusTo staff the student study space and cover the library lunch hour

Why do students apply for this role?

Fund their EducationImprove their CVs and Career ProspectsImproves skill set (budgeting/managing time)ExperienceGain application and interview experienceFlexibilityMeet other students

History of the student ambassadors

of our students

in 2012 were either in employment or full-time study

within six months of their graduation.

92%

Impact of student workers

Student Workers in the work placeQuick to adaptFlexible workforceStudents assisting other studentsBuilding relationships with library assistants

Managing Student WorkersAccessibleFlexible CoverTime consuming

Lederman, D. (2009) The Impact of Student Employment [online]. Insidehighered. Available from: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/06/08/work#sthash.YrUmgxCf.wcDZSFiw.dpbs. [Accessed 23 June 2014].

“students who work less than 20 hours a week on campus reported a net positive gain in grades, while those who worked off campus felt a significant negative effect”

"creating meaningful work experiences for students on campus is a key element in an overall strategy designed to foster student achievement and success“

A study led by Gary R. Pike, an Associate Professor at Indiana University-Bloomington, explains in an article on insidehighered.com titled “The Impact of Student Employment”:

Peer Academic Writing Mentors Introduced new service at the end of November 7 masters/postgraduate students employed Independent role Workshops and one-to-ones Weekly meetings (time to offload and share good practice) Support from academics

Managing MentorsIn-depth training and constant developmentMonitoring and support system in placeProfessionalismNot as flexible or quick to adapt

Why do students apply for this role?Knowledgeable in specific area or experiencedEnjoyment and satisfaction from the roleDevelops skills Meet new studentsImproves CVPaid role

“Mentor very approachable, extremely helpful and patient. I felt comfortable and

him to be non-judgemental. I think the service is excellent, having one-to-one support. I have gained confidence and I feel less anxious about the

essays ahead. Absolutely brilliant”

Out of 82 students 72 students rating the service extremely helpful, 9 students rating it helpful and 1 student was undecided.

Interns

University initiative offering up to 60 three month paid internships each year (central fund)

Aimed at recent graduates Run January – March Central induction and training programme e.g.,

job applications, personality tests, etc. Departments are invited to bid for internship Panel chooses successful bids Library has always had an intern allocated

Intern Library Roles

Because time limited tend to be project based We use them to do the things we’d like to do but

don’t always have time to do Allow someone concentrated time to research

and undertake the task Always deliver something at the end of the

internship

Successful Intern Bids 2012

2012 Review of referencing styles and bibliographic software

Report with information on styles used in subjects and student feedback

A review of bibliographic softwares available and the pros and cons of each

Partly as a result of this the Liverpool Hope Harvard style developed for 1 subject is now used in 2 Faculties

Successful Intern Bids 2013

Create a set of more visual guides using Prezi

Surveys to find out what students need guides on & usability testing on format

Working with library staff to create Prezis and the web pages

Training for librarians on using Prezi

Successful Intern Bids

2014 Special Collections Intern

Nugent Care Archive Extended by 3 months

(library funded) Dissertations cataloguing De-duplicating a donation to

be added to stock Intern was successful in

obtaining 12 month Special Collections internship at Liverpool and is planning to undertake masters in archive work

Future plans Potential Intern Projects 2015

- Special Collections: Talbot Library- Education Kits Review

Ambassadors:- This year hired a larger number of part time posts- Introduced an new online booking system for the ambassadors to oversee- Introduced Headcounts- Questionnaires - Collecting more feedback (large questionnaire)- Usage of ipads and collecting data

Mentors- Expand the service- Create more online resources

Benefits

Free staff to do other tasks Extend library opening hours & enable a

second entrance to be used Set of ‘guinea pigs’ e.g. usability feedback

on our web pages Source of more honest student feedback

Issues

Staff time to manage such a large number of student workers– Timetables, timesheets, recruitment

Availability– Examination periods, vacations etc.

Staff turn over

Things to think about …

Contracts Disciplinary

- Staff code or do they have their own? Training needs and support Monitoring

- Writing mentors to be observed by Faculty Librarians

What tasks can they do while on a service point or if no appointments booked- Tasks assigned, can they do their own work?