The Music & Performing Arts Library (MPAL) is seeking two pre-professional graduate assistants who are each available to work 12 hours per week during the job duration.
- Position: Two .30 FTE Pre-Professional Graduate Assistants
- Unit: Music & Performing Arts Library
- Job Duration: August 16, 2026 – May 15, 2027
Major Duties and Responsibilities: MPAL’s pre-professional graduate assistants contribute to circulation and reference services at MPAL’s service desk during the semester (8 hours per week, evening and/or weekend shifts possible) and work on special projects (remaining 4 hours per week, scheduling flexible). Special projects may include:
- Managing the library’s social media presence and supervising undergraduate student work in this area,
- Creating and maintaining LibGuides, video tutorials, and other instructional materials,
- Creating and delivering course-embedded instruction, workshops, and outreach and engagement programs,
- Collection development and assessment,
- Cataloging collections to improve access,
- Creating physical and digital exhibits to promote collections.
Required Qualifications:
- Enrolled (at the time of appointment) in the School of Information Sciences at Illinois.
- Degree or otherwise strong background in music, dance, and/or theatre.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to work with a diverse public.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Customer service experience in a library or other setting,
- Experience with Excel or other spreadsheet software,
- Prior or concurrent coursework in IS 501: Reference and Information Services, IS 471: Instructional Strategies and Techniques for Information Professionals, and/or IS 585: Bibliographic Metadata.
Work Environment: The Music & Performing Arts Library is in the Music Building and has two central missions: (1) to support the curricula of the School of Music, Department of Dance, and Department of Theatre and (2) to support and encourage faculty and student research, performance, and creativity. In addition, MPAL strives to support dance, music, and theatre making in the Champaign-Urbana community and to support music and performing arts research within the US and globally. MPAL serves a diverse student and faculty population. MPAL has circulating and special collections totaling ~400,000 items in many formats and is one of the busiest circulation points and highest circulated collection on campus.
Training: Training will be provided after the start date of the appointment. Attendance at library-wide GA training sessions will be required and additional unit-specific training will be provided during the first week of employment and continued as needed.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume (combined in one PDF document, if possible) to Kirstin Johnson, Head, Music & Performing Arts Library, at dougan@illinois.edu. Questions about the positions are also welcome via email. Applications will be reviewed when they are received, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible! Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 20.