more than just shelvers: student workers in the library nadia mahernia, learning spaces co-ordinator...
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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?