Graduate Assistant - Library

Masland Library Front Desk AssistantGraduate AssistantThe Masland Library is seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Graduate Assistant to join our team starting August 1, 2026. This position plays a vital role in daily library operations, with primary emphasis on managing the front circulation desk, supervising student workers, coordinating interlibrary loan services, and maintaining the stacks. The successful candidate will serve as a key member of the library team during afternoon and evening shifts, providing excellent customer service and ensuring smooth daily operations.The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational and supervisory skills, a customer-service mindset, and the ability to work independently.Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are available to a limited number of Cairn full-time graduate students who have the skills and abilities to fulfill a professional position on a part-time basis during their period of study. To be eligible for a GA position, the student must have already earned a bachelor's degree and be enrolled in a Cairn master's degree program. Dual-level students may not be considered for GA positions.Position Responsibilities: Serve as the primary staff member at the circulation desk during scheduled afternoon and evening shifts, providing excellent customer service to students, faculty, and staff. Oversee and manage the front desk, including problem-solving and patron assistance. Supervise, train, and mentor student workers: assist in creating and maintaining the student worker schedule, communicate updates and changes, manage reminders for changed and rotating shifts, and provide ongoing guidance. Coordinate interlibrary loan (ILL) services: search for and request materials, process borrowing and lending requests, track overdue materials, and communicate with borrowing libraries regarding overdue and lost items. Run overdue reports and physically verify that items are not on the shelves before sending final notices. Manage stacks maintenance: train and supervise student workers on shelving and stack procedures, shelve and straighten materials, retrieve items as needed, monitor the condition and organization of the stacks, and communicate any issues or concerns to the librarians. Assist with basic reference inquiries.Additional Duties: Perform other tasks as assigned to support overall library operations.Work Schedule: Minimum of 4 days per week, with a focus on afternoon and evening shifts to provide coverage during peak patron hours. Schedule will be developed collaboratively, with flexibility around the GA's class schedule.Qualifications & Qualities: Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, especially during evening shifts, while collaborating effectively as part of a small team. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliability in managing schedules and multiple tasks. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; a friendly, customer-focused attitude is essential. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook). Previous employment in an academic library, preferred Physical capability to retrieve and shelve materials from shelves up to 84" high and to handle materials/equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Commitment to promoting access to information and supporting the university's academic mission.Serving at Cairn UniversityLocated in Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Cairn University exists to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated and professionally competent men and women of character. Students earn bachelor's degrees in various areas including Bible, Education, Music, and Business Administration; and graduate degrees in Business, Divinity, Education, Organizational Leadership, Worship and Music, and Counseling. Cairn is a conservative evangelical institution within the protestant tradition that employs faculty and staff who profess Jesus Christ as personal Savior; agree to Cairn's Statement of Faith and Community Life Covenant; and serve students in a ministerial capacity through imparting and upholding biblical instruction, prayer, and mentoring. Members of the faculty are required to integrate biblical instruction in their respective professional subject areas. All members of the Cairn community are obligated to affirm, agree with, and align with the University Foundational Statements. During the application process, applicants will have the opportunity to review these statements and must agree to affirm and support the position of the University, if hired. Applicants are also asked to provide a Personal Testimony of salvation as part of the application process.To apply, please follow the link below. You may upload and submit your resume/CV and cover letter and unofficial transcripts with the application.Ineligible for sponsorship of H1B visa.Cairn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disabilityor other protected characteristics, in administration of its educational, employment and admissions policies.

Created: 2026-04-02