For some of you, this will be your first paid job outside your home.  Because of that, please consider this job as part of your education here.  You're learning how to work for somebody else, not related to you, whose primary concern is not you, but the work being done.  The work is the important thing to an employer.  Someone is depending on you to do your job.

That being said, the Library is usually a pretty pleasant place to work.

Attitude

This is your job.  This is what you are being paid to do during your scheduled times.  While you are on the job, it must be your top priority.

Doing anything else is optional, not guaranteed and often not possible. The Library has some duties which may allow you time for your own work, but do not count on this. If a patron or staff member approaches you, they have your full attention for as long as they need it.

Bear in mind that full time staff may behave somewhat differently than student workers.  They have earned these privileges, and they are here for much longer periods each day than you are, doing more complex tasks.  

Some of our student workers have been here long enough and worked well enough, and perhaps earned additional training, that they are given certain assignments you are not; this is also something that is earned over time, by your performance.

You are expected to set a good example:

• BE ON TIME EVERY TIME.  That means that you are already here when the doors unlock or the clock reaches your assigned time.  Being even a few minutes late means somebody else had to cope without you.

• CALL if you are going to be late or be absent, as soon as you know, so the staff can compensate for that. Your presence is more important than you might think!

• DO NOT LEAVE the building without notifying a staff member during your scheduled work period.  This includes letting someone know if you go to empty the outside book drop.  

• It is especially vital that the Circulation Desk and the phone there be staffed at all times the Library is open.  If you are assigned to be there, that is your responsibility.  If you are the only person at the Circulation Desk, you need to wait to be relieved by another person before going anywhere else, even if there are no patrons at the moment.
   
• DO NOT HAVE extended conversations with friends (say, more than a couple of minutes), especially in the areas of the building with echoes (such as the rotunda).  You may need to tell your friends that you are working and they need to contact you later instead.
   
• YOU MAY HAVE a covered drink if you are at one of the desks, but not in the stacks.  It should be kept out of sight and away from the computer, keyboard, etc. (On the floor where nobody might kick it is fine.)
   
• FOOD is for the staff room 108 and no place else in the building.
   
• MUTE (vibrate only) your cell phone.
• warn anyone who might call you that only emergency calls (illness/injury/your immediate action required) can be accepted during work
• keep personal calls as brief as possible, taking them only in the staff room 108 or other private areas, or outside, unless you are on lunch.
   
• Do not cover both ears during work -- you should look approachable, not occupied. At least one good ear should be available to listen; preferably both.
   
• YOUR WORK AREA is not your personal space.  Please keep phones, keys, purses, etc. out of the way, especially at the Circulation Desk.  These can be placed under the desk, out of the path of others.
   
• You are expected to be polite to everyone, patrons and staff alike.
   
• Patrons expect their requests, problems, and other matters to remain confidential.  Please DO NOT REPEAT anything elsewhere that the person obviously did not intend for public consumption. This especially includes reference questions, even if you would not consider them confidential (because this is a big point with libraries!).
   
• You are an intelligent person, or you would not have been selected to work here.  Suggestions are welcome, but remember that many ideas require more thinking, more money or resources, or other limitations may be a concern; your great idea might not be permitted or otherwise practical in our case.  Still, the fact that you are thinking for everyone's benefit is considered a positive trait. 

Attire

What you wear when you work reflects on your employer, so employers reasonably feel they can require a reasonable appearance.  You will find this at most places you work.  How you look on the way to and from work is your business, while how you look while at work is your employers.

• You and your clothing should be clean and neat.  This refers to personal hygiene as well.
   
• No half-tucked shirts, low-hanging pants, ripped clothing, etc. 
   
• The latest fashions are not required.
   
• Shorts above the knees, tops with spaghetti straps, underwear or underwear-type bra straps visible, are not appropriate.
   
• Anything with language or images not G-rated, including clothing, tattoos, stickers, badges, cell phone covers, etc,, needs to be kept covered or otherwise out of sight.

Bear in mind that other employers may be much more strict than a university campus.

Answering questions 

You are welcome to help patrons locate materials on the shelf, answer general questions about where things are in the library and what the hours are and so forth.

However, helping with research should be referred to the staff.  See the link: Reference Questions

Staff Room 108

The Staff Room 108 is for meals and breaks.  

• If you bring a drink and/or meal, you may use the refrigerator; please remove everything when you leave that day.
   
• Please respect other people's property, and handle or obstruct it as little as possible.
   
• Vending machines are available in the 24-Hour Zone and at the east end of the Vines Building (up the hill from the Library, on the left). 

Restrooms

If you are on duty at a desk, notify the other person (if there is one) or a staff member if you need to use the restroom.  You may use any of the restrooms in the building, and be sure to wash your hands when done.  You may use the paper towels in staff areas rather than the air blowers if you prefer.  Please keep the time as brief as possible.

Unlike some employers, we do not restrict or schedule restroom breaks.

Absences or being late

If you cannot come to work, you are expected to notify the Library as soon as possible before the start of your work period.  If you don't get an answer at (479) 788-7200 during normal hours, keep trying until you reach someone.

Someone else will need as much notice as possible in order to come in your place; please give everyone as much notice as possible.  We are open even if you cannot be here, and we need people present to work.

Failing to give notice that you will be absent for any reason is grounds for termination of employment.

Making Up Hours

Hours missed due to emergencies or illness may be made up at the discretion of the Access Services Librarian as the schedule permits. Hours missed for other reasons will not be rescheduled.

It is better to ask for make-up hours than to bring a contagious illness to expose everyone else to whatever you have.  That consideration is appreciated.  Colds and flu are usually not contagious after the first 7 days but consult a physician if necessary.

Medical conditions which may require repeated absences should be discussed with the Access Services Librarian.

Duties

Examples of the work you may be doing at various times:

• staffing the Circulation Desk, checking materials in and out, directing people to locations or staff in the library, getting reserve materials or DVDs/CDs, lending headsets
• shelving materials
• doing tasks on the checklist
• picking up materials from tables
• pushing in or moving chairs, generally making the Library look neat 
• reading shelves (check to be sure materials have been properly reshelved in order) 
• doing inventory
• scanning documents for the digital archives
• processing materials for use
• working in InterLibrary Loan 
• any number of other tasks, short or long

[2014.8.18.a]