Job Overview

Student Assistant II (part-time)

The Auraria Library is a tri-institutional academic research library serving Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Colorado Denver, and the local community. Special & Digital Collections works with collections of unique and special materials including newspapers, manuscripts, audiovisual objects, photographs, rare books, and ephemera, many of which pertain to the history of Auraria and Denver. 

The Special and Digital Collections Assistant is responsible for assisting the Special and Digital Collections Archivist and Cataloger with digitization and shelving. During digitization, the student scans materials, processes digital files, and creates descriptive information so that the materials will be accessible in Auraria Library’s digital repository. In addition, the student is responsible for shelving-related tasks such as shelving books, shelf-reading, and shifting. Through this position, the student will learn about special collections, archival practices, digitization, and library classification.  

Located in downtown Denver, Colorado, the Auraria Campus is home to three institutions of higher education – University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver – MSU, CCD, and UC Denver are Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and UC Denver has finalized Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) status. The Auraria Library serves the campus’ over 35,000 students, the majority of whom are from the first-generation in their family to enroll in higher education. The majority of our students are Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color, and we also serve large populations of veterans, transfer students, adult learners, and other populations that have been historically underserved. Auraria Library is committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from candidates across all dimensions and identities. The library seeks candidates who embrace a multicultural, diverse, and inclusive workplace, and who strive to incorporate those values in their work and interactions. Please see our library values and diversity initiatives 

Reports To
Special & Digital Collections Archivist Librarian

Job Duties

Digitization

  • Handles fragile archival materials with care and avoids damage during the digitization process
  • Scans archival materials utilizing flatbed scanner and/or overhead scanner to create files for both preservation and accessibility purposes
  • Processes digital files using minimal photo and file editing with Adobe Photoshop and Acrobat to ensure quality scans
  • Uses spreadsheets to create metadata that provides context for and increases the findability of the materials
  • Ingests digital files and metadata into the Special & Digital Collections digital repository using Ubiquity Press

Shelving

  • Shelves print materials
  • Shelf-reads books
  • Pulls print material at the direction of the cataloger
  • Assists with shifting and collection maintenance projects

Additional Duties

  • Additional duties as assigned

Compensation: $18.29/hr up to 12 hours per week 

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Start Date: December 2024

Minimum Qualifications 

  • Interest in history, archives, libraries, preservation, and/or information accessibility
  • Knowledge of or experience with library classification systems, file and photo editing software, and/or office scanners
  • Must apply for a work-study award once offered and accepted position.
  • Work-Study Students: Undergraduate work-study students MUST be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours throughout a semester, including summer semesters.
  • Graduate Work-Study Students: MUST be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours throughout a semester, including summer semesters (except in the case of students completing their thesis and/or dissertation credit during a single summer semester).
  • Students may still be eligible for hire if they are not awarded a work study award if the department’s budget permits. 

Learn more about how to apply for work-study here!

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with digital media, metadata, graphic arts, archives, libraries, or related field
  • Experience with Library of Congress Classification
  • Experience with digitization equipment

Physical Demands of Position
Bending, lifting, and pushing loaded book carts, using library step stools, and frequently handling materials up to 30 pounds. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Demonstrated ability to organize and complete projects
  • Ability to work independently and in team settings
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  • Proficiency in common digitization equipment (flatbed scanners, overhead scanners, etc.)
  • Knowledge of fragile materials-handling (books, manuscripts, newspapers, etc.)

Application Instructions & Availability

To apply, email a copy of your Spring 2025 course schedule, availability, resume, and an optional brief statement of interest to alhrstnd@ucdenver.edu. Please specify the position you are applying for in the subject line. 

*If you are a CU student, please apply through Handshake at https://joinhandshake.com/.*

*If you are an MSU Denver student, please apply through the MSU Denver job website at https://msudenver-csm.symplicity.com/?signin_tab=0.*