About Western

Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference.

About Us

Western Libraries (WL) provides the library and archival expertise and infrastructure – information resources, technology, people and spaces – required to cultivate and mobilize knowledge and accelerate excellence in teaching, research and scholarship.

Responsibilities

User Services staff are often the first point of contact between library users and Western Libraries’ services, facilities and collections. Student Library Assistants (SLA) provide timely, effective and courteous customer service to library users and help make library and information resources available to users at Western and beyond.

SLAs work predominantly evening and weekend hours, possibly across different library locations.

Responsibilities of Student Library Assistants may include:

• Performing a basic level of Information/Public Service duties for library users which includes greeting users to the library, checking library materials in and out, providing directional assistance to patrons, providing access to items on short term loan such as course readings and technology, explaining policy regarding health and safety, supporting bookable spaces and printing, troubleshooting technology and making referrals to online services.
• Assisting with Document Delivery activities including retrieving, scanning and packaging of materials as directed.
• Assisting with Collections Maintenance activities, including shelving, shelf-reading and shifting of library materials as directed, as well as a basic level of duties related to providing physical treatments to library items such as RFID tagging and boxing materials for transfer to another location.
• Performing duties to support Outreach and Events initiatives, including rearranging furniture, setting up for events and acting as a representative for Western Libraries.
• Participating in creating content for Western Libraries social media platforms

Qualifications

Education:

• Applicants must be a full-time undergraduate student at Western University (enrolled in minimum 3.5 courses) or a full-time graduate student. Successful applicants must retain their full-time student status for the duration of the appointment.

Experience:

• Customer service experience
• Previous work experience in a similar role preferred

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• A strong record of teamwork with the motivation and ability to work independently with little supervision
• Physical ability to handle library materials including extensive reaching, standing, sitting, carrying, kneeling, bending, squatting, pushing and pulling and occasional heavy lifting of up to 50 lbs. - accommodation available upon request
• Basic understanding of library terminology
• Written and verbal communication skills to express ideas clearly and adapt communication style to suit the situation and audience
• Ability to maintain a positive, outgoing attitude with a genuine customer-service orientation
• Reliable and dependable with the ability to consistently work an assigned schedule
• Ability to follow processes and practices with high attention to detail
• Demonstrates integrity and works in accordance with Western’s policies and procedures
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office, with the ability to learn and use new software programs as required
• Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and organize a fluctuating workload
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Ability to work in a manner that is compliant with confidentiality requirements as applicable

How to Apply

• Interested full-time Western Students are asked to complete an application through the Working at Western website for this role. Applications should include a resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications.

Additionally, applicants must fill out the PDF document located at http://www.uwo.ca/hr/form_doc/temp/WL-StudentApp.pdf and attach it electronically to your application.

• To avoid any technical issues, please save the form to your drive and then complete.

Why Western?

Western offers a broad and exciting variety of part-time and temporary employment opportunities with ample room for job exploration and growth. Within our beautiful campus, you are part of a progressive work environment that promotes work/life balance including access to our state-of-the-art recreation centre. Apply for an opportunity to be part of the Western community and contribute to its success!

Background Checks

While transcripts are not required for the interview, they are mandatory prior to any offer of employment.

Applying at Western

To ensure that your application is given full consideration, please complete all relevant sections of the application. In addition, you can choose to supplement your application with a cover letter and current resume.

Consideration of applicants will include an assessment of previous performance, experience, and qualifications. Applicants should have oral communication skills in English.

Western Values Diversity

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

Please Note:

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.