Foley Library User Services Training Guide

What is a Lead Peer Research Advisor (Lead PRA)? 

Peer Research Advisors are Tier 3 student employees, which means that we trust you to not only answer and triage more complex questions, but also to model student employee excellence at the desks. We will also lean on you to mentor Tier 1 and Tier 2 student employees and help guide them along as they become oriented to working at Foley Library.  

Position Title: Lead Peer Research Advisor – Tier 3 (Internal Applicants Only)

Purpose: Provide circulation, information, ready reference and research triage as lead student assistant.

Department: User Services

Location: Foley Library Service Desk

Key Responsibilities:

Position

Provide circulation, information, ready reference and research triage as lead student assistant.

Departmental

• Assist with onboarding and training of new student employees.
• Take lead in service desk operations during shifts.
• Communicate building, service desk, and safety issues to supervisors.
• In collaboration with supervisors, take on 1 or more advanced library projects.
• Act as first point of contact for library and building.
• Greet library patrons as they enter/exit the library, maintain approachable demeanor.
• Answer phones and transfer calls.
• Maintain front desk tidiness – wipe down desk area/keyboards as needed.
• Monitor paper in all four library printers and refill as needed.
• Assist patrons with troubleshooting library technology and equipment.
• Maintain confidentiality of library records.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Open to undergraduate (third or fourth year students preferred) or graduate students with minimum of 1-year experience in User Services (working at least one semester at the Check Out Desk).
• Service-oriented with excellent customer service/interpersonal skills
• Good computer and keyboarding skills

Educational Outcomes

• Interacts with patrons (including peers, university faculty and staff, and community visitors) in a friendly, respectful and interculturally sensitive manner.
• Uses a wide variety of sources to answer questions, including databases, library catalogs, as well as referring to librarians as needed.
• Analyzes patron questions and provides effective solutions using sound judgment.
• Supervises student assistant projects and provides performance feedback to supervisors.
• Provides lead for library operations in absence of library staff.
• Demonstrates understanding of and commitment to both the university mission and library mission.