Student job opportunities
Student employees play a vital role in keeping the library functional. Come join our team!
Work for the University Libraries
The University of Minnesota Libraries hires hundreds of students in many types of jobs all over campus. Whether you enjoy working with books, people, technology, or all of the above, a job in the Libraries can help prepare you for success. Check out our jobs listed below.
All are welcome at the University Libraries! We are committed to being a safe, open environment, for learners and employees alike. Our student job pay rates generally start at the University minimum wage.
Archives Student Assistant Summer
Details
- Location
- West Bank, Andersen Library
- Department
- Archives and Special Collections
- Hours
- Work study
- Preferred, not required
- Hourly pay
- $15/hr
Duties
- Monitoring researchers in library reading room using special collections materials, making sure set policies are enforced to safeguard unique materials
- Welcome researchers and communicate policies with them as needed
- Data entry of statistics and other data using Excel or other software
- Clerical tasks such as photocopying, staffing front desk, or inventorying collections of historical records
- Retrieving materials from underground secure storage area following set safety guidelines and procedures
- Handling and organizing archives and special collections materials, which are unique and valuable library materials that require strong attention to detail
Skills preferred
- Ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills and multi-tasking
- Ability to follow detailed instructions
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff
- Availability to work over the summer
- Available to work a minimum of 6-10 hours per week
- Interest in libraries and history
Requirements
- Current University of Minnesota student enrolled at least half-time, with work study (undergraduate student 6 credits)
- Basic office skills (filing, alphabetizing, sorting, accurate typing)
- Attention to detail in an environment with repetitive tasks
- Ability to learn, then apply, and communicate specialized Libraries procedures regarding handling fragile books and historical documents
- Able to work Summer 2023 must be registered for Fall 2023 classes
Artifact photographer
Details
- Location
- East Bank, Health Sciences Library
- Department
- Wangensteen Historical Library
- Hours
- Work study
- Preferred, not required
- Hourly pay
- $15/hr
Duties
The Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine invites undergraduate students to apply for the role of student photographer of historical medical artifacts.
Students in this role will be responsible for taking reference and photogrammetry photos of historical medical artifacts using best practices developed for object photography, and adhering to technical specifications and standards as outlined by staff.
Typical job duties will include
- preparing and adjusting the in-house photography space,
- locating and preparing artifacts to be photographed,
- adjusting camera angles and settings,
- editing photographs using Adobe Creative Cloud software,
- naming files, and
- exporting files to the appropriate Google Drive folder.
Photographers will be expected to be in regular communication with other project staff to ensure efficient and accurate workflow. Employees are expected to work during the WHL’s regular business hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 - 4:30.
Skills preferred
- Intermediate experience with photography and photo editing
- Experience using Adobe Creative Cloud
- Previous archival, museum, or library experience
- Interest in creative and historical projects
- Familiarity with medical terminology
- Experience with DSLR cameras
Requirements
- Must be registered as a UMN student with a minimum of 6 credits
- Ability to follow project procedures, including guidelines for handling fragile historical objects
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to take a project through from concept to completion
- Demonstrated experience using digital camera equipment
- Experience using Google Drive
- Ability to work independently and on deadline
- Ability to collaborate with various departments and coworkers on projects
Communications and Advancement Student Worker
Details
- Location
- West Bank, Wilson Library
- Department
- Libraries Communications and Advancement
- Hours
- Work study
- Not required
- Hourly pay
- $15/hr
Duties
Provide communications and administrative support to the Libraries Communications and Advancement team. The communications team provides marketing and communications support for the Libraries, reaching students, faculty, and staff at the University of Minnesota, as well as library donors and supporters. The Development team within Advancement raises funds to support library programs and initiatives.
Support will include updating the Libraries news blog with event and workshop information, providing routine clerical support, and providing communications support in the form of writing and/or photography, and/or videography.
The student hired for this position will be responsible for
- website updates (20%)
- various administrative/clerical tasks (50%), and
- communications: writing, photography, and/or videography (30%).
Requirements
- Enrolled at UMN as an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing
- Demonstrated strong communications skills (both verbal and written) with attention to detail
- Ability to work autonomously
- Ability to manage time, strong sense of commitment to project completion, and flexibility in scheduling
- Proficiency in Google Suite and/or MS Office, including Google Docs/Word and Google Sheets/Excel
- Experience with updating websites
- Communications experience in the form of writing, photography, or videography
Makerspace and Virtual Reality Student Ambassador
Details
- Location
- East Bank, Health Sciences Library
- Department
- Engagement, Outreach, and Community Partnerships
- Hours
- 5 to 15 hours per week. Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
- Work study
- Required
- Hourly pay
- $16.00
Duties
- Welcome users into the Health Sciences Library Makerspace and Virtual Reality Studio, and help them safely operate equipment (e.g., 3D printers, laser cutter, sewing machines, hand tools), find materials, and get started on their work.
- Contribute to an environment that welcomes users with all levels of experience and ability and from a wide variety of communities and identities.
- Develop familiarity and skills with Makerspace and virtual reality equipment and share what they have learned with users and other staff.
- Assist new users with the technology and lead tours/introductions to the space.
- Keep the spaces tidy and well-stocked, perform minor troubleshooting and repairs, and ensure that equipment and materials are ready to use.
- Solve technical problems with 3D printers, VR headsets, etc., sometimes referring problems to supervisors or Tier 2 Libraries technical support.
- Complete projects as assigned that improve the space and inspire users (in consultation with full-time library staff).
Requirements
- Strong customer-service skills.
- Exhibit strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with patrons from a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds.
- Demonstrate independent decision-making abilities.
Skills preferred
Students with work study awards are required for Spring 2023. No technical experience required; training provided by Makerspace lead staff.
Interests or prior experience could include
- 3D printing, laser cutting, milling, or other additive/subtractive manufacturing techniques,
- knitting, sewing, or other handcrafts,
- 3D design, illustration, or multimedia creation, and
- design thinking, ideation, and prototyping.
Map Library - Student Library Assistant
Details
- Location
- West Bank
- Department
- Social Sciences Department
- Hours
- 6 to 8 hours a wekk
- Work study
- Preferred, not required
- Hourly pay
- $15
Duties
- Greet, direct, and refer library users at a service desk (in person and on phone)
- Check library materials in and out
- Find and shelve books
- Assist with scanning and printing
- Open the Map Library one morning a week
- Other projects as assigned
Requirements
- University of Minnesota undergraduate registered for 6 or more credits in spring 2023
- Available to work Mondays 8:45am to 12:45pm AND Wednesdays 11am to 1pm. (These are the only shift times for which we are hiring.)
- Able to perform essential physical demands which includes but is not limited to frequent standing, walking, sitting, carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping/bending, reaching. and lifting up to 25 pounds
Skills preferred
- Reliability and a respectful, helpful attitude
- Good verbal and written communication
- Attention to detail
- Ability to sort alphabetically and numerically
Qualitative project support
Details
- Location
- Details in description
- Department
- Student Success
- Hours
- 100 hours for the entire project
- Work study
- Not required
- Hourly pay
- $16
About the position
The University of Minnesota Libraries invites undergraduate or graduate students to apply for a part-time project-based assistant position to provide supervised research support on a short-term qualitative assessment project looking at the experience of undergraduate students in research-focused programs. Work schedule is dependent on student availability.
The student will report to the Assessment Librarian and work closely with staff across the Student Success service area.
Duties
The student hired for this position will be responsible for providing research support to in the form of various administrative duties such as
- drafting focus group and interview protocols (10%),
- conducting focus groups and interviews (40%)
- transcription (20%),
- analysis (20%), and
- drafting a report (10%).
Requirements
- Enrolled at UMN as an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing
- Demonstrated strong communications skills (both verbal and written)
- Previous experience with qualitative research or relevant coursework (e.g. qualitative research methods, interviewing, conducting focus groups, qualitative data management)
- Ability to work autonomously
- Ability to manage time, strong sense of commitment to project completion, and flexibility in scheduling
Quantitative project support
Details
- Location
- Details in description
- Department
- Student Success
- Hours
- 60 hours for the entire project
- Work study
- Not required
- Hourly pay
- $16
About the position
The University of Minnesota Libraries invites undergraduate or graduate students to apply for a part-time project-based position to provide supervised research support on a short-term quantitative assessment project. Work schedule is dependent on student availability.
The student will report to the Assessment Librarian and work closely with staff across the Student Success service area.
Duties
The student hired for this position will be responsible for providing research support for a large scale quantitative data analysis project exploring the connections between student academic success and availability of affordable course materials. The duties may include
- developing a data analysis protocol (20%),
- cleaning and managing data (20%), and
- conducting statistical analysis (40%).
Requirements
- Enrolled at UMN as an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing
- Strong communications skills (both verbal and written)
- Proficiency in statistical analysis using R, SPSS or a similar program
- Ability to work autonomously
- Ability to manage time, strong sense of commitment to project completion, and flexibility in scheduling