About Sacred Heart University
As one of the nation’s largest Catholic universities and among the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. Nearly 10,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools: College of Arts & Sciences; School of Communication, Media & the Arts; School of Social Work; School of Performing Arts; College of Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; School of Computer Science & Engineering and the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing. Sacred Heart, a Laudato Si’ campus, stands out from other Catholic universities as it was established to be led by the laity. This contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts and, at the same time, cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change—in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition and Best Business Schools: 2025 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliate station, WSHU Public Radio; a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu
View SHU’s Faculty Experts Here
To apply
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a completed application and résumé through the University's online application system. Applications submitted outside of the official Careers at SHU website will not be considered. Applicants should not apply through third-party or external job sites, as such postings may be fraudulent or may misrepresent opportunities that are no longer available at the University. A cover letter or statement of interest is preferred for all staff positions.
Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be lawfully authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.
Position Summary
The Library User Services Assistant is responsible for overseeing and, when needed, performing library user services in collaboration with the reference librarians and the Manager of Public and User Services. This position includes supervising and training student assistants, ensuring consistent service delivery, and maintaining the security of the library in cooperation with other staff members. Regular work hours are two evenings per week (Monday–Thursday, 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.) and one weekend day (10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.).
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
- Oversees provision of the library user services.
- Manages library’s circulation of tangible materials, including all circulation functions (check-in, check-out, renewals, holds, fines, tangible reserves, etc.) using the integrated library system, and oversees user services counter operations;
- Oversees regular building census, patron counts, and group study usage counts;
- Oversees or performs user services, including registration of users, problem resolution, photocopying, scanning, and printing problems, etc. with student library assistants;
- Assures security of the building and collections, monitoring of security systems, etc., and working with Public Safety, security guards, and other library staff;
- Oversees or performs management holds for tangible books and DVDs;
- Assists users with locating materials and answering basic information requests during scheduled hours.;
- Communicates and enforces library policies, rules, and procedures to all users;
- Shares and overseas administration of check-out procedures for the group study rooms and;
- Oversees management of tangible resources, including, shelving, shifting and other stack maintenance operations;
- Assists the maintenance of print reserves & audiovisual collections as needed.
- Shares the training and supervision of student assistants.
- Prepares student training materials, such the online SLA training guide;
- Assists with scheduling of student hours and management of SLA absences;
- Assists other library staff with evaluation of student library assistants.
- Works varied schedules, mostly evenings and weekends, depending on operational needs and library schedule.
- Other duties as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes
- Bachelor's degree highly preferred.
- Relevant library experience and supervisory experience preferred.
- Consistent customer-service orientation.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and initiative dealing with library users and staff.
- Confidence and consistency with supervision of undergraduate students
- Moderate mechanical ability and patience with equipment (particularly printers).
- Superior organizational skills.
Unusual Working Conditions
- Heavy public contact & light maintenance of equipment.
- Maintains library operations independently when required.
This job posting provides an overview of the role's general nature and expected tasks. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list of all duties performed. The university reserves the right to modify or reassign job responsibilities at any time. This posting description does not constitute an employment contract, either explicit or implied.
Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.
