Circulation & Course Reserves Assistant (Student) (FWS)

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.

Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.

Department

Circulation Services

Time Type

Part time

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Summary

Job Description:

Circulation and Course Reserves Student Assistants support the daily operations of the Circulation and Course Reserves team both at the service desk and within the library. They help ensure the organization and maintenance of the University Library’s physical collections, which include books, periodicals (such as journals, magazines, and newspapers), media (e.g., DVDs), technology (e.g., calculators, adapters), and lockers.

Essential Functions

• Helping users with checking out, returning, and requesting library materials.
• Supporting the maintenance of user records and providing updates on request statuses.
• Guiding users in navigating library resources, including the catalog and their library accounts.
• Offering initial research support using AU Library Search and library databases.
• Fulfilling item requests for users and other departments, including Course Reserves.
• Helping users access individual viewing stations for physical media viewing.
• Organizing, shelving, retrieving, and transporting books and other library materials
• Maintaining the organization of collections and finding misplaced or missing items.
• Aiding with inventory and other collection-related tasks, such as shifting, straightening, and relocating items.
• Maintaining clear and proactive communication with supervisors in person and through online platforms such as Microsoft Teams and email.
• Contributing to various other projects assigned by supervisors.
• Utilizing a range of software tools, including Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Excel, Word), Springshare products (LibStaffer, LibCal, LibGuides), and library systems such as Alma and ILLiad.
  
  

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work

• Part-time.
• 12 hours per week.
  
  

Salary Range

• $18.40 per hour.
  
  

Required Education And Experience

• This position requires a Federal Work Study (FWS) award.
• Demonstrates a high level of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality, particularly when handling sensitive user information and monetary transactions.
• Exhibits excellent customer service, collaboration, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Maintains strong attention to detail, embraces a learning mindset, and stays actively engaged while prioritizing tasks and multitasking in a fast-paced environment.
• Adapts to evolving workflows and procedures with flexibility. Must be able to lift books and push carts.
  
  

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• This is an onsite position offered on a semester-by-semester basis.
• Ability to work Summer 2026 may be contingent upon receiving a summer FWS award.
• Must commit to working Fall 2026, to be considered for summer employment.
• Minimum commitment of 12 hours per week, with at least 16 hours of availability.
• Requires one weekend shift and willingness to work at least one opening shift (starting as early as 9 AM) and/or one closing shift (ending as late as 10 PM). Availability through finals week is expected.
• Following federal law, employers will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Within the application, please let us know if you require accommodation to apply for or perform the duties of this position.
  
  

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.
• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.
  
  

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.