Library Research Assistant

Position Description:

Library Research Assistants (LRAs) at the University of South Florida (USF) Tampa Library provide essential research and reference support to faculty, students, and visitors. Working at the Library Services Desk and in collaboration with library faculty and staff, LRAs help library users navigate library resources, develop research skills, and will work on special research projects for/with librarians.

Department Summary:

The USF Tampa Library Research & Instruction team provides research services and instruction. We strive to provide innovative services that utilize emerging methodologies and tools to deliver impactful support for student and faculty success. Our instruction team works in collaboration with instructors and faculty to develop and deliver a suite of skills-based learning opportunities designed to supplement undergraduate curricula and prepare students to be successful explorers, patrons, and creators of information. In turn, students will acquire knowledge and competencies to prepare them to be well-educated, highly skilled, and adaptable, engaged citizens prepared to thrive in a dynamic and global environment.

 

Required Documentation:

• A class schedule showing enrollment in 1 minimum credit hour, a resume, and a cover letter are all required for this position.

   

 

Schedule

• 10am-8pm Monday-Thursday, 10am-5pm Friday, flexible around class schedule

Duties:

• Demonstrates the ability to use USF Libraries' resources.
• Demonstrates the willingness to learn about academic topics and provide research support using relevant resources.
• Demonstrates the ability to refer advanced reference and research questions to library faculty and staff.
• Assists library users with beginning and intermediate academic research by chat, over the phone, or in person.
• Encourages library users to develop autonomous research skills.
• Assists librarians with preparing, gathering, organizing, and distributing information about the USF Libraries' services and resources, as related to the teaching and outreach activities of the department.
• Perform duties associated with identifying, accessing, using, and borrowing library resources.
• Conducts reference and research services in a professional and collegial manner.
• Participate in Library Research Assistant meetings.
• Communicates with and responds to communication from the Library Research Assistant supervisors and other LRAs.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Being a current USF Student. 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Demonstrated familiarity using the USF Libraries

• Previous library work experience

• Previous library research experience

• Previous customer service experience

• Completion of LIS 2005, ENC 1101, ENC 1102, or LIS 6603

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

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, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. 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 $738 million in research funding in 2024 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 more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

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