ORIENTATION OF NEW LIBRARY STAFF
The purpose of orientation is to equip each person to perform her/his job effectively, consistent with the University’s and the Libraries’ goals and appropriate to the library and campus environment. Orientation also serves to help new employees understand and begin to be part of the library and the campus.
Several entities, listed below, have roles in orienting new employees. Each stage is required for permanent or contractual staff members and for graduate assistants. All stages should be completed within the first six to eight weeks of employment. (For student assistants, the appropriate enrollments and work-site orientation are provided by the Library Human Resources Office and by the assistants’ supervisors.)
Each library stage of orientation should be thorough and uniform for basic information. Checklists and other tools can be used to assure that each new person is enrolled, informed and equipped to do the job and that she/he can function as part of the total library and campus.
Role of the Library Human Resources Office
Give the new person an overview of state/university employment. Enroll the person for time sheets, pay checks, medical and insurance benefits, retirement (if applicable) and university I.D. card. Explain parking and other matters the person must know about on or before the first day of work.
Role of the Employing Unit or Division
Cover the specifics of the job and how the new person gets her/his job done day to day, including introduction to colleagues and orientation to work site. Also covered promptly are work schedules, leave policies and procedures, keys, human needs and housekeeping, telephones, computers and software, mail, supplies and equipment. The employing unit, department or division is responsible for job-specific orientation, training, job descriptions and job performance.
Role of the Staff Training and Development Office
Provide monthly group orientation sessions, concentrating on the Libraries’ mission, plans and services. (For new graduate assistants starting in the summer or fall, a group orientation especially for them is conducted in August or September. If they begin work at other times of the year, they should attend one of the regular monthly orientation sessions.) Review training, education and development opportunities in library and on campus. Coordinate annual sessions for all staff for overviews, updates, initiatives in services and operations of the Libraries.
Role of the University Human Resources Department
Inform new employees about benefit programs, campus organizational structure and relevant employee policies.
ADMINISTRATIVE MEMO # 37
Orientation of New Library Staff
Effective August 13, 1999
Supersedes none
Suggested revisions to any Administrative Memo should be addressed to the Director for Planning & Administrative Services.
