Focus on . . .
Student Assistants
Students are drawn
to apply for Library student assistant positions
at the Library because of their love for books
and the environment. The Library employs twelve
to fifteen Student Assistants each semester. It
is a rare occasion when we have to advertise for
student
 positions. Students are referred to us
throughout the year by other department staff,
and our employees are always handing out
applications to prospective student
workers. Unfortunately we can not hire everyone
who applies for a position. Because of the
complexity of the work and detailed training, we like to retain
our student assistants for the full time that
they are attending Parkland College.
Fortunately, many of our workers will stay with
us for as long as it takes to complete their
degrees, therefore extending their employment
with us. The Library will hire 2-4 new student
assistants per semester because of our
graduating workforce. On a rare occasion we will
lose all student assistants from one semester
and be forced to hire all new staff for the
next, but for the most part, we retain a
few. Four years is the maximum time that
students may work as a student assistant at any
campus job. To be a student assistant you must
be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours
(three credit hours in the summer).
With a sizable
enrollment of international students at Parkland
College we have a diverse pool of candidates to
choose from. Currently six of our fourteen
student assistants are from different
countries. Because their student visa is
restrictive many of our international students
are only able to acquire campus jobs. A former
student assistant who comes from Russia has
become an hourly employee in the Library's Technical
Services department.
A
first-class Library Student Assistant is a
person who is dependable, responsible,
task-oriented, likes working with the public and
enjoys keeping busy. Our student assistants know
that there is always something to do, and they
work hard and keep busy. There's never a
time in the Library when there is nothing to
do.
 We do appreciate our student assistants, and
to show our appreciation we have two
celebrations, one in the fall semester and
another in the spring. In December the
Library staff brings in homemade goodies each
day during "Treat Week." We show our gratitude
in the spring by having a graduation celebration
for our departing students. At this time we also
give special honor to those who have worked for
us for two or more years by placing a bookplate
in a recently acquired book related to the
honored student's field of study. The bookplate
is a label placed inside the book. While the
book remains in Parkland Library's collection,
the bookplate is a permanent recognition of our
appreciation of the student's work.
 As
many of our workers
move on to four-year institutions we are often
asked to write recommendation letters as they
seek employment, and many apply for Library
positions. Library student assistant jobs are a
continuation of their academic studies. We try
to give them a good foundation for success at
other jobs. In view of their affiliation with us
some of our student assistants have earned
masters degrees in Library Science.
The Library staff
would have a very difficult time accomplishing
all the responsibilities and maintenance of the
Library without the hard work of our student
assistants. We feel fortunate that we have had
outstanding success with all our student
assistants past and present. If you are a
Parkland student taking at least six credit
hours and would like to become a Library student
assistant come to the Service Desk and ask for an
application. An interview may be forthcoming.
-- Rena Moore,
Access Services Coordinator |