About the role
Organizational Summary
The Nelson Poynter Memorial Library is an active partner in the teaching, research, and learning of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg’s students, faculty, and staff. We promote student-centered learning and research in an inviting, creative, and collaborative environment.
Position Summary
The Student Assistant’s primary job function is to provide front desk coverage and library support. The student assistant may be asked to assist staff with patron counts and other general duties in support of the overall operation of the campus library. This position reports to the USF St Petersburg campus library Manager, Library Operations, Access Services.
- Provide front desk information support: answers questions about library and campus; helps patrons search the online catalog, locates and checks-out materials, study room keys and accessories; sorts and shelves library materials.
- Must be consistently reliable to cover assigned desk shift
- Provides excellent customer service to the USF community and library patrons, both in-person and by telephone.
- Educates users about library services and policies when appropriate
- Refers users’ questions to appropriate department or staff
- Learns Library Classification system, Library of Congress and Dewey.
- Re-shelves books and makes sure books are in order on the shelves
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
This position requires a high school diploma.
Enrolled in minimum 1 credit hour at USF
Preferred Qualifications
Experience providing excellent customer service, preferably in a library environment
Experience with MS Office products
Ability to work independently after initial training
Flexibility to adapt to new technologies, workflows, and emerging service models
Able to sit & stand for extended periods. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. and push up to 50 lbs.
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.