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WATCH OUR VIDEOSCollege is an expensive four years for many students and their families. Between paying tuition, purchasing necessary books (yes, Chemistry: A Molecular Approach really did cost $217.53... used!) and getting set, students often don’t have much money left for frivolous spending. That’s when it comes time to find a part-time job—and your library is always in need of helping hands. With work-study programs gaining popularity among students, many are searching for on-campus employment to add a little extra cash in their bank accounts during the school year.
How do you attract students to the on-campus employment opportunities at your library? Read on to find out more!
Promote flexibility
The life of an undergrad student is a balancing act. Between classes, homework and social activities like clubs or greek life, students might think they can’t fit a part-time job into their schedule. Luckily, on-campus jobs like the ones offered at your library are the perfect fit for them. When posting or discussing job opportunities at your library, make sure you convey to students your policies on flexible hours. Can they work during Fall break? What’s the policy for working during midterms and finals? Are short in-between class shifts allowed, or can a student take a graveyard shift to watch over the upperclassmen pulling all-nighters?
Offer a range of roles
Explaining the library’s flexibility and willingness to accommodate students with all kinds of scheduling needs shows students that it’s a great part-time job option. But don’t just highlight a flexible schedule: let students know that there’s a wide variety of roles they could hold at your library. Hire upperclassmen as research assistants who are on-call when there’s a research paper due soon in the mandatory freshman seminar. English and Creative Writing majors make great writing tutors, and upper-level math and science students can help out as well. Even consider commissioning some studio artists to decorate library walls!
Social hour
Like any activity or club on campus, work is a great place to meet new people. With so many students already working in your library, there are bound to be some great friendships formed during the time spent there. Show students your library is a friendly and fun place to meet others by taking pictures throughout the school year that highlight the great workplace culture you’ve developed at your library. Post them on social media, the library’s website and on a bulletin board in the library’s entryway so students don’t miss them—or hire a marketing student to do this for you. These photos can be a great recruitment tactic for students looking for an on-campus job and a way to meet new friends.
Money Talks
While many students are looking for jobs that give their resume a little something special, most are finding a part-time job because they need the extra spending money. Of course, working in the library isn’t going to lead students to striking it rich, but making it clear that on-campus library positions are in fact paid hourly can bring in more applicants. When posting positions on the library’s website, social media and the school’s internal job board, make sure to explain the position is paid. Often, on-campus jobs are for college credit or work study students only, so clarifying the compensation can attract more students and help you find the best candidate for the job.
How does your library go about attracting student workers?
Looking to see what kinds of resources are separating the great libraries from those that are merely good? Check out our white paper on the 9 innovations shaping libraries today for ideas.
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