Graduate Student Reference Assistant

Organization:University of Toronto Scarborough Library
Category: Library (Academic)
Job type: Part-time
Duration: Temporary
Student job: Yes
Description and duties:
Under the supervision of the Coordinator, User Services or designate, the incumbent provides
weekend reference, research, and fulfillment services to students, faculty, staff, and other
library patrons. The incumbent is also involved with activities of the reference team and
participates in projects on an as-needed basis.
• Functions as keyholder and most senior student staff on weekends, with responsibility for
opening and closing the library as needed.
• Responsible for leading the staff response to emergencies, and for evacuating the library if
necessary.
• Supervises desk activities of 1-2 undergraduate student library assistants.
• Provides reference and research services to students, faculty, staff, and other library
patrons in person, by email and by telephone. Provides instruction to patrons in using
electronic and print resources and tools, to assist with research-related tasks.
• Provides circulation services to students, faculty, staff, and other library patrons.
• Collects fines paid by credit/debit using a POS machine.
• Responds to noise complaints and enforces noise, food, and other policies of the library.
• Special projects as identified will include, but are not limited to, a focus on marketing,
publications, training and statistical analysis.
• Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Formal Education: Candidates must be currently enrolled in a university graduate studies
program. Faculty of Information (iSchool) students who have completed one year of studies
are preferred.
Experience: Previous reference service in an academic library and current knowledge of
electronic resources offered by the UTL system preferred. Knowledge focus includes all
aspects of the arts, humanities, management, social sciences, and sciences that are
represented on the Scarborough campus.
Other: Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Customer service skills
and the ability to work in a dynamic team environment. Flexibility and adaptability to
respond to changing work demands and requirements. The successful candidate must be
available for weekends as scheduled.
Compensation:
$28/hour
Additional information:
7-8 hours per weekend, on Saturdays. Additional occasional hours as required. *Contract is
for one academic term, with the possibility of renewal.
Organization web site:
https://utsc.library.utoronto.ca/
Diversity Statement
The UTSC Library is strongly committed to diversity and especially welcomes applications from
racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North
America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the
further diversification of ideas.
Accessibility Statement
The UTSC Library is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with
Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection
processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants
with disabilities.
Apply by email:
martin.brich@utoronto.ca
Application deadline:
Position will be open until filled.
How to apply:
Send an e-mail with cover letter, resume, and the names of three referees in a single
electronic file (PDF or MS Word with a file name convention of SurnameFirstName_GSRA) to
martin.brich@utoronto.ca
Please address the letter to
Martin Brich
User Services Unit,
University of Toronto Scarborough