SC Orientation and Training Team

Commonalities

• We are all part of Special Collections
• Most of us are housed in the same building
• Five units make their materials available through a common service point (Historical Manuscripts, Literary Manuscripts, University Archives, Marylandia & Rare Books, NTL)
• Three additional units currently (or will soon) serve on HBK Reception Desk (LAB, NPBA, Prange)

All Special Collections staff would benefit from a shared, uniform orientation & training program. This would give new staff an idea of the uniqueness of Special Collections, as well as introduce them to collections they do not work in. Possible benefits would include better reference referrals between departments.

For the three units limited to HBK Reception Desk duty, this program would explain check-in procedures, as well as general building policies and likely questions they would encounter from patrons.

For the five units working out of the MD Room, such a program would teach new staff the policies and procedures of the MD Room, and give them a more in-depth look at other collections which they would help to provide service for.

Purpose of the Team:

Develop a core orientation / training curriculum for Special Collections

Identify levels of training needed

• Maryland Room Staff
• Reception Desk Staff
• General staff

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