The number of students working is based more on the size of the collection, the hours the library is open, and what kind of jobs the students are hired to perform. Student workers are an integral part of the library. Without them the library could not offer the open hours and the accessibility of the collection to its clientele. On one hand student workers in the 1990's do much more than keep our buildings open and our service desk staffed. Student workers also free up time for the regular staff to do the more detailed and intense work and policy making.
Students are inexpensive to hire and there usually is a large pool from which to draw applicants.
Most of the libraries surveyed only hire students from their own school. OHSU hires students from other schools because the medical, dental, and nursing students do not usually have time to work between classes and clinics. Requirements for work as a student assistant in libraries range from a person who can work the hours needed, to detailed listings of knowledge and skills requested for specific jobs. Some of the skills requested are communication skills, computer knowledge, good language skills, detail orientation, accuracy, good customer relations, and flexibility. Recruitment is often done by word of mouth.