Employment Guidelines
All student assistants should be familiar with the Library Mission Statement. It was written by the library staff and we hope you will help us fulfill it. The following expectations are based, in part, on guidelines set forth by the Student Employment Office and their guidelines for employers.
Work Your Scheduled Hours
You are responsible for scheduled hours through exam periods, unless otherwise notified by your supervisor. If you must leave campus before the end of the semester, make arrangements with your supervisor far enough in advance so substitutes can be found if necessary and the department's work is not impeded. Spring and Fall Break, Winter Term and Summer are excluded from your schedule, but we encourage you to work during those periods if hours are available.Arrive on Time
All employees are expected to arrive at work on time and remain for the duration of their shift. Notify your supervisor as soon as possible if you will be late or if an emergency will keep you from working a scheduled shift. Emergencies might be due to medical reasons, class overtime, unavoidable travel commitments or other conflicts.
Arrange for a Substitute
If appropriate, follow your department's procedures for getting a substitute to work your shift.
Breaks
Student assistants working a 7-8 hour day may take two paid 15-minute breaks and an unpaid 30-minute to one hour meal break. The length of the meal break may vary from one department to another, according to work flow and individual needs. Schedule your work breaks in agreement with your supervisor.
Timecards
Student assistants must record the actual time when arriving and leaving work, and not when one intended or was scheduled to arrive or leave. Your time card cannot be processed without your signature, which indicates that the times recorded are correct. Falsifying your time card is grounds for dismissal.Limit Distractions
Please refrain from wearing headphones while on the job unless your supervisor agrees it will not hinder your work or communication with you. Refrain also from long conversations on the phone or in person that are not directly related to the job at hand.
Be Courteous
A respectful and helpful attitude toward the public, your coworkers, other library staff members, and supervisor(s) is expected of all staff, at all times. If a library user asks a question you cannot answer, politely refer him or her to your supervisor or the appropriate department within the library (e.g., circulation desk, reference desk, administrative office). Limit your conversation with friends.Patron Privacy & Confidentiality of Library Records
It is essential that we protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought, consulted or borrowed. Revealing to others what items specific patrons have acquired or what topics they are researching is a serious breach of confidentiality and may be cause for dismissal. Likewise, any other records and files which you may view at work are considered confidential and should not be discussed outside of work or transmitted to others by any means. Abide by the Library policy regarding the USA PATRIOT Act.Food & Drink Policy
All student assistnants are expected to abide by and be prepared to enforce the library's policy regarding food and drink if your assigned work takes you into public areas of the library.
Suitable Clothing
We encourage you to be comfortable, and to wear clothes that are clean and allow you to complete your work safely and without hindrance. Supervisors reserve the right to excuse someone if they are dressed in such a manner that may be considered inappropriate, disruptive, or unsafe. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times; closed-toe shoes are highly recommended, especially for students who regularly move book trucks or work with heavy loads of any kind.Library Rules & Staff Privileges
For example, you may not backdate checked-in items or waive fines without specific instructions from your supervisor, nor inappropriately renew or extend the due date of borrowed materials. Likewise, privileges for editing or updating records in the library database are strictly limited to your assigned tasks during scheduled work periods. If you need something from another department in the library ask for assistance and/or permission before proceeding.Office Equipment & Supplies
Equipment and supplies in the library office and work areas are for library business only. Do not use library computers for your own work unless such use has been cleared by your supervisor. Do not install any additional programs unless cleared by a supervisor and library systems staff. The telephones should be kept free for library business.
Safety & Security Issues
Student assistants might be called upon to respond to an emergency or another situation that involves the safety and security of library patrons and/or collections.
Job Performance
Your job performance will be evaluated periodically by your supervisor; continued employment and/or rehiring for the next semester is contingent upon satisfactory performance. Flagrant disregard of these guidelines is grounds for dismissal.
See also the Rights and Responsibilities of Employees and Employers, as defined by the Student Employment Office.