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Student Worker Training Guide

Daily Tasks

1. Be ready to help any patron that comes to the circulation desk.

2. When Checking out materials - Please make sure you look at the screen when scanning in a) a patron's ID, b) each item checked out. Make sure items are being checked out to the correct patron.

IMPORTANT: OverRide box

If the system sends a prompt for an override code, please seek out a librarian or a student assistant - if there is one on duty, to input the code. What is this box? The override comes up for various reasons:

a) If you are attempting to check out materials and the person is not in the system

b) If the patron has a fine, you will need an override

c) If the book is not in the system

d) If patron is taking out Media materials, many times an override is needed. Rules for media are that patrons can take out 3 items each of DVDs, Audio Books, music, etc. Many of these materials have more than one disk in each -  therefore an override is needed.

e) Overrides can occur when renewing materials as well. Please watch the screen at all times!  

PATRONS MUST PRESENT THEIR E-CARD IN ORDER TO CHECK OUT MATERIALS! NO EXCEPTIONS!

If you have any issues with this, please seek out a librarian or a student worker assistant. (There is usually someone at the Information Desk between 9am-8pm daily.) 

3. Check in all materials. Sensitize materials as needed.

a) Reserve materials should be checked in and placed in their appropriate locations

b) Books and media materials should be placed on the wooden book shelf and ultimately on the carts to be reshelved. 

4.  Organize materials

Move books from the wooden bookcase to the appropriate shelving cart (based on call numbers); organize in call number order - so that they are ready to be shelved.

5.  When there are two student workers at the desk: 

a) Each student should shelve for 20 minutes for each hour at the desk.

b) When shelving, use the shelving slip template at the circulation desk to make slips of paper with your initials and date. Put one of these in each book you shelve. 

IMPORTANT: All students must take the Shelving test - located on each computer at the Circulation desk. You may take the test as many times as needed to understand how to organize materials in Library of Congress classification order.

6.  Send patrons to the Information desk for questions including:

a) Research questions   /     b) for printer issues

9. Other duties as assigned.

Student Created Guidelines

Guidelines for Student Workers

Be patient.

Have fun, love your job.

Be respectful.

Be approachable.

Kill people with kindness.

Greet people as they come in.

Thank people for coming in/say goodbye/have a nice day.

Offer up options and alternative solutions.

Look up; don’t get too involved in your computer.

Tell a librarian if people are breaking rules/making you uncomfortable.

Don’t come to work impaired.

CELL PHONES MUST BE PUT AWAY WHILE YOU ARE WORKING.

NO HEADPHONES WHILE YOUR ARE AT THE DESK!

No playing music or watching videos.

Do's and Don'ts

DOs:

  • Discharge materials and put them away in their proper place.
  • Shelve materials (when there are two student workers at the desk).
  • Straighten up the library beginning 30 minutes prior to closing.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Send all patrons with reference questions to the Information desk (e.g. Can you help me find this book?).
  • Refer all equipment problems to the Information desk (e.g. paper jam, copy machine problems, printing problems).
  • IMPORTANT: Make sure you enter your hours on your timecard each time you come to work

NEW: PLEASE PERFORM HEADCOUNTS IN THE LIBRARY HOURLY. THERE IS A SHEET FOR EACH DAY AT THE CIRCULATION DESK! THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT THE LIBRARY NEEDS. IT IS NOT BUSY WORK!

*Be sure to check your e-mail during each shift for new notices/substitution requests

DON'Ts:

  • Cell phones need to be put away while you are working
  • No personal laptop computers at the desk while working
  • Please do not take personal calls while working (unless a special circumstance - then speak with your supervisor)
  • Limit personal conversations with friends who stop by; no more than a few minutes. Friends should not be hanging around in front of the circulation desk to visit.
  • No food at front desk. Drinks are permissible
  • Only library staff is permitted behind the desk. No friends.