Student employees in CAUL libraries – survey summary

Twenty responses were received out of a possible 41. Of the libraries that responded 18 (45.0% of CAUL libraries) indicated they employed students and two responded in the negative:

NSW / 6 (7) / 33.3%
NT / 1 / 5.5%
QLD / 4 (5) / 22.2%
SA / 1 / 5.5%
VIC / 4 / 22.2%
WA / 2 / 11.1%

Note: total including negative responses indicated by bracket

While most commonly students are employed as shelvers, a number of libraries employ students under a variety of models, that is a number of libraries indicated more than one model of employment:

Extended hours staffing/peer-to-peer support / 3 / 16.7%
IT/ICT including roving support / 8 / 44.4%
Project work/backroom functions / 3 / 16.7%
Shelvers/circulation support / 14 / 77.8%
Trainee/placement / 3 / 16.7%

The number of students employed by the university libraries varied from 5 to about 55, for durations ranging from 3 to18 months, most commonly during the academic year and on a casual basis. The level ranged from HEW1 to HEW4, some libraries indicating that more than one level was used, with HEW1 being most common:

HEW1 / 11 / 61.1%
HEW2 / 9 / 50.0%
HEW3 / 6 / 33.3%
HEW4 / 2 / 11.1%

Libraries reported using both formal position descriptions and informal role descriptions, providing direct supervision with the exception of those providing out-of-hours support, and the majority reported providing both formal and on-the-job training and support. Systems access varied and this seemed to depend on the work done. For example shelvers were not normally provided with systems access, but students working on projects or backroom tasks were. One library indicated that while students had access to all standard staff systems including LMS and email, they were not entitled to staff status for borrowing purposes.

As per staff including email, LMS, finance systems / 16 / 88.9%
As end-user / 6 / 33.3%
LMS only / 1 / 5.5%

Many libraries reported recognising the value of student-to-student support:

Students feel far more comfortable approaching other students with their problems. More understanding of the student systems (eg blackboard, student email accounts etc) and the types of problems that students face)

Cultural value to the client groups as they assist on the floor and are seen as highly approachable and facilitate student to student information transfer.

The employment of student casuals benefits the Library not only by the additional employment flexibility but also by the creation of a group of student employees who grow in understanding of the Library and its services and who in turn communicate to their peers the value of the Library within the learning environment.

Student Assistants and Rovers: Important members of the Library client services team. They work a wide range of hours and the majority make an excellent contribution. The trainee Librarians provide the Library with new enthusiastic staff members who are about to join the profession and may consider working with the Library in the future whilst allowing us to make a contribution to the profession.

Frances O’Neil

Manager, Library Services

Victoria University

December 2009 (updated 14 January 2010)

1