Student- TUSC Reference Desk

This position begins as soon as agreed upon for the semester and ends on a determined basis. Available for the Fall into the Spring 2027 semester, with no more than 20 hours per week allowed for all combined student positions. The role is in-person at the Reference Desk of Tulane University Special Collections (TUSC), located in room 202 of Jones Hall. TUSC is open to the Tulane community and the general public weekdays 10am–4:30pm, with appointments strongly encouraged but walk-ins welcome. We provide access to the library’s Rare Books collection and archives from the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music, Louisiana Research Collection, Southeastern Architectural Archive, and University Archives.

Schedule

• Shifts available during operating hours: 9am–4:30pm
• Expected hours per week: 10–20
• Flexible scheduling, with 3 to 4 hours per shift preferred

Pay

Hourly wage begins at $12 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Greet patrons and direct them to assigned tables
• Provide guidelines on proper handling of archival materials
• Offer basic research assistance using the library catalog and ArchivesSpace
• Page additional material for patrons and assist with scanning services
• Answer reference telephone calls
• Reshelve materials
• Fulfill duplication requests via email
• Assist with projects, social media, exhibits, and special events
• Perform basic archival processing tasks and data entry

Requirements

• Active enrollment as a student at Tulane University
• Federal Work Study (FWS) funding required
• Ability to push book trucks and lift heavy boxes (up to 20–30 lbs)
• Basic technical skills using scanners, printers, and Microsoft Excel
• Strong customer service skills for direct interaction with researchers
• Reliable and punctual
• Familiarity with Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal System preferred but not required

Required with application: a cover letter detailing your experience, a screenshot of your class schedule from classschedule.tulane.edu, and a screenshot of your work-study acceptance and amount from Gibson (if applying with FWS).

About Us

At the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, we strive to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space. We’re looking for outgoing students who thrive on public interactions and enjoy showcasing the library’s resources.