The Arrow
WELCOME!
Welcome to the Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) Libraries Staff. Student
assistants are vital to the general operation of the Ohio Wesleyan
Libraries. Student assistants supplement the work of the library staff,
providing them time to work on other projects. As a student assistant,
you will be performing essential tasks as well as enabling us to satisfy
the demand for long hours of operation. You will interact with fellow
students, faculty and staff, as well as the general public. As both
users and service providers, library student assistants are an excellent
source of advice on how to improve services, and we welcome your input.
Your position warrants a great deal of respect from all of us.
How will you benefit by working for the OWU libraries? We offer flexible
work hours to fit around your class/study schedule. By working here,
you will learn to use the library more effectively in your own studies.
You will gain valuable experience working with people. For many students,
this is an opportunity to earn a portion of their college expenses.
Library staff are often contacted by employers for recommendations
of our student assistants. Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries offer
many employment and learning opportunities. We believe you will have
a rewarding experience while working with us.
The role of the Ohio Wesleyan Libraries is to participate actively
in the instructional process as a teaching library. The library system
carries out the role of the teaching library by:
- encouraging and facilitating life-long learning through the development
of instructional programs which emphasize investigative skills;
- providing distinctive programs and services designed to meet the
intellectual and cultural needs of our students, faculty, staff,
alumni and community; and
- developing an organized collection of materials and equipment
and establishing information services which best satisfy the present
and future needs of the university relating to teaching, research,
and community service.
The Ohio Wesleyan University Libraries refers to Beeghly Library,
the Audio-Visual Center and the 3 branch libraries. The Ohio Wesleyan
Libraries are service institutions, and public service is of primary
concern. It is, therefore, important that we respond to our patrons
with courtesy, friendliness, and a helpful attitude. All persons entering
the library are considered our patrons, be they students, instructors,
or people from the community. Whether you are employed by a public
services department or a technical services department, you will interact
with both library users and library staff. Get to know your co-workers.
Learn the names, faces, jobs and work locations of the library staff.
GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS
To provide the best possible service you will need to know as much
about the library as possible. General information about the library
is included in this handbook and reviewed during the orientation program.
Your immediate supervisor will train you in the skills needed in the
area in which you will be working. Do not hesitate to ask questions
if you are in doubt of something.
WORK PERIOD/PAY RATE
Students are hired for a fixed number of hours per week
according to the amount of their work grant. All student workers are
paid the wage mandated by the minimum wage law. A student may not
work more than 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters.
The work period begins each semester on the first day of classes and
ends on the last day of the semester, which includes the exam period.
Failure to report to work during exam week, without obtaining a
substitute, may result in dismissal and prevent any future rehiring
at the library.
PAY PERIODS/PAYCHECKS
Pay periods are generally every two weeks although holidays
and break schedules may affect this. You will be paid every other
Friday (or on the date announced by the Student Payroll Office) for
exact time worked during the two-week pay period. Paychecks are mailed
to your campus mailbox.
TIME CLOCK/TIME SHEETS
Students working in Beeghly and Music libraries use
time cards with an electric time clock to record time worked. Students
in Biology and Science libraries use a time sheet. The time clock
is a 24-hour clock: i.e., 1:00 p.m. is 13:00. Clock your time in and
out each shift that you work. Do not try to reconstruct or strike
over your time card. If you make an error with the time clock or need
help, please have your supervisor or the Student Personnel Coordinator
initial the correction.
Calculate the time worked each day in hours/fractions
of an hour. Time cards must be totalled and signed by you at
the end of each pay period. Your supervisor will check and sign your
time card and submit for payroll.
BREAKS
Students scheduled to work for three or more consecutive
hours will be permitted a 15-minute break at the discretion of the
supervisor. (Breaks may not be taken at a time when there is
no one else to cover a public service desk.) Breaks must be arranged
with your supervisor and taken in the middle of the work shift. They
may not be used to cover a late arrival or an early departure.
LUNCH PERIOD
Lunch periods for students working seven or more hours
in one day will be scheduled. Students may elect to take a thirty-minute
or one-hour lunch period. This is not included in the usual hours
of full-time work and, therefore, is unpaid time. You must clock in
and out for your lunch break.
HOLIDAYS/SPECIAL WORK CIRCUMSTANCE
The library is usually closed on official University
holidays. However, since classes are held on Labor Day, the library
is open that holiday. The library is open on Easter Sunday. You are
expected to work your regular schedule those days.
The library is also open during fall mid-semester break.
Students are expected to work or arrange with their supervisors for
absences during that break.
PUNCTUALITY
All student employees are expected to report to work
on time. Plan your arrival time carefully so that you are ready
to begin work at the scheduled time. If you MUST be late, call
your supervisor and let him/her know when you can be expected. (Two
(2) tardies are equal to one (1) no-show absence. Three (3) no-shows
may warrant dismissal.)
ABSENCES
As a student employee in the Ohio Wesleyan Libraries,
it is your obligation to be present for your scheduled hours or to
find a substitute. The substitute must already be hired and trained
for the same work...don't send a friend! If you must miss a
scheduled shift because of sudden illness or emergency, call your
supervisor before your scheduled arrival time. At a minimum,
leave a phone mail message. If the emergency is such that you cannot
report it yourself, arrange for a reliable person to do so. (Circulation
and branch libraries student assistants have special rules for emergency
absences and will be instructed by their supervisors as to procedures.)
Three (3) no-shows (unexcused absences) may be considered cause for
dismissal.
SUMMER JOBS/BREAKS
A limited number of full-time positions are available
during the summer and during breaks. Notify the Student Personnel
Coordinator if you are interested in one of these positions. A notice
for recruitment to fill these positions will be posted in the Beeghly
time clock room.
REHIRING
At the end of an academic school year, eligible student
assistants may sign up to work the following fall semester. Students
with satisfactory work records will have their jobs held for them
and will be officially hired upon return to campus.
QUITTING
If you are unhappy in your library job, please talk
with the Student Personnel Coordinator. It may be possible to place
you in another position in the library rather than lose you as a staff
member. If you must leave the library, you should give two weeks notice
before leaving a position. It is considered inappropriate to quit
a position with the library mid-semester in order to take another
position on campus. This may result in a poor evaluation from your
supervisor.
DISMISSAL
Students may be subject to dismissal for:
- * Absence - three (3) unexcused absences or no-shows, and/or failure
to find a substitute;
- * Excessive tardiness -- 6 tardies warrant dismissal (2 tardies
equal 1 no-show);
- * Repeated failure to perform duties satisfactorily with appropriate
public service attitude and behavior;
- * Continual abuse of general library rules;
- * Disclosing confidential information pertaining to library records.
Process:
Your supervisor will meet with you with a written report
for a first offense; a second offense may result in a meeting with
your supervisor and the Student Personnel Coordinator; a third offense
warrants a meeting with the Student Coordinator and probable dismissal.
During these meetings, you will be given ample time to present your
views and ask questions.
Immediate dismissal is warranted in cases of:
- * Failure of newly hired students to attend orientation, unless
previously excused by the student personnel coordinator;
- * Unexcused absence during exam week;
- * Falsifying time card/time sheet;
- * Stealing which includes:
- - Unauthorized photocopying,
- - Unauthorized cash removal,
- - Unauthorized use of library property, supplies, and other
materials;
- * Improper use of computer equipment including:
- - email,
- - accessing another persons records, material or
- private information,
- - surfing the internet including sites considered pornographic,
- * Vandalism;
- * Intoxication/substance abuse on the job.
- * Random acts of violence such as fist fighting.
Judicial proceedings will be initiated if the offense
warrants it.
PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS
YOU are responsible for the quality of work that you
do. If you feel you do not fully understand your assigned duties or
that your performance is not up to standards, ask questions and request
additional training. You will be evaluated on job performance by your
supervisor at the end of your first semester and at the end of each
academic year. This appraisal process gives you and your supervisor
the opportunity to discuss your strengths and weaknesses. Together
you can plan methods that will help you improve your work performance.
Your evaluations will be kept on file in the Student
Personnel Coordinator's office. These evaluations will be used as
a basis for rehiring as well as
GENERAL WORK ETIQUETTE
Your part-time position in the library consists of important
library work. You will need to adhere to many of the same standards
for quality of work to which other library employees are held, such
as meeting work schedules and completing assigned work within expected
time frames. As a library employee, your actions are often visible
while working in public areas. Your dress and personal manner should
be in keeping with a friendly, cooperative and professional image.
For safety reasons, as well as proper dress, shoes must be worn. Use
of headphones while working is at the discretion of your supervisor,
but is considered inappropriate while on duty at a public service
desk.
Work space is limited and shared. Talking or visiting
while working is likely to disturb those who need their full attention
to complete tasks or assignments. Be sensitive to the effects that
office conversations have on your own productivity, patron response
and the work of others. The presence of friends can make you oblivious
to the needs of library patrons. Please ask your friends to postpone
visits until you are finished working.
Effective library service requires accessible telephone
lines. Personal calls should not be placed or received, except in
an emergency. A public phone is available in the outer lobby and can
be used during your break. Library computers, telephones, fax machines,
and other supplies and equipment are for library use only. Students
are encouraged to use the personal computers and printers provided
in the microcomputer lab on their own time.
Please do not do work of a personal nature during your
assigned shift. Work time is not intended for personal studying. Do
not remove materials or supplies from a staff desk unless instructed
to do so.
Books, journals, recordings, computer disks/equipment
and microfilm can be ruined by a spilled drink or contact with greasy
food. Computer terminals can be damaged beyond repair. Do not eat
while you are on duty. Drinks must be in approved containers.
Smoking or the use of other tobacco products is prohibited
in the libraries.
SOME HELPFUL HINTS
- * Read again the previous pages to be sure that you understand
what is expected of you.
- * We are here to help the user. Maintain a public service attitude
at all times.
- * Any important information from the Student Personnel Coordinator
will be posted in the Beeghly time clock room. Get into the habit
of reading notices posted on the bulletin board and/or door of the
Beeghly time-clock room. Ask your Supervisor in Beeghly or the
branches, where essential information about your job will be posted.
- * Complete your time card correctly.
- * Be on time every scheduled shift.
- * Regard your job as if you were working for any company or corporation.
Often your work record is as important as your grades when applying
for career positions.
PROTECTING CONFIDENTIALITY OF PATRON RECORDS
Circulation records and other records identifying the
names of library users is confidential in nature. We must respect
each user's right to privacy with regard to information sought or
received, and materials consulted, borrowed or acquired, and fines
owed or paid. Except pursuant to a court order, no person shall publish,
or make any information contained in such records available to the
public.
Anyone requesting such information should immediately
be referred to the Director of Libraries Office.
You are an essential part of the library community.
The library staff is far too small to run this library system without
your help. The staff appreciates you as part of the team. If you have
a problem, please feel free to talk with your supervisor,
The following areas of service within the library system
use the skills of Student Assistants:
- Acquisitions Government Publications
- Administration Interlibrary Loan
- Archives Music Library
- Audio Visual Public Services Office
- Biology Library Science Library
- Cataloging Serials
- Circulation Special Collections
- Collection Development Technical Services
