Work Study Onboarding

Library Work Study Onboarding

In this training, you will learn what it means to be a work study at the library, the purpose and roles of a work study, and more.

Index

Select a unit to learn more. When you are done with a unit, you can return to the index to select another unit. Once you have completed all the units, take the quiz found at the bottom of this page.

Lesson 3: Library Services and Resources

Lesson 2: Understanding Financial Aid and FAFSA

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Community College Library

Lesson 6: Collaboration and Professional Development

Lesson 5: Library Procedures and Policies

Lesson 4: Customer Service and Patron Interaction

Lesson 1

Introduction to the Community College Library

Objectives

Introduction to the Community College Library

• Overview of the library's mission, services, and resources.
• Introduction to the role of Federal Work Study students in supporting library operations.
• Discussion of the library's policies, procedures, and expectations for FWS students.

Lesson 1

Introduction to the Community College Library

Mission

The Coastal library's purpose in supporting the Mission of the College is to anticipate and support the information and resource needs of Coastal Carolina Community College students, faculty, and staff. The library is committed to providing the following:

• an organized and readily accessible collection of up-to-date materials needed to meet institutional, instructional, and individual needs of students, staff, and faculty;
• a quiet atmosphere conducive to study and research;
• a qualified staff, concerned and involved in serving the information needs of the students, faculty, and staff;
• a collection development policy that includes print, electronic, and other non-print materials that directly support the academic needs of students;
• access to the collections of other libraries;
• instruction in the use of resources to enable users to function in an information-driven society;
• individual assistance provided by a librarian for research-based assignments.

Lesson 1

Introduction to the Community College Library

Role of a Federal Work Study

As a work study at the college, you are also considered a part-time employee of the college. Because of this, there are two different handbooks you follow for your job. You are to review the Work Study Handbook before beginning your first shift and sign the document to verfiy you have read it. Below is a link to the part-time employee handbook.

Part-time handbook

Federal Work Studies are employed like any other job, except there is a focus on work-based learning. For example, at a library, employees are expected to learn skills in customer service, project planning, technology, organization, and more. Working in a library requires adaptability and flexibility. As a work study, you are given a set schedule of your working hours. If you ever need them changed, you contact your work study supervisor. As an employee at the college, your safety is also vital. Do not provide patrons with your personal information, such as phone numbers, personal addresses (including email), or your schedule.

Lesson 1

Introduction to the Community College Library

Community college libraries focus on teaching and learning. We do have leasure reading, but our main patrons are students, so we cater to them more than others. Members of the public are able to get library cards. You will learn the differences between Coastal-affiliated patrons and patrons who are members of the public. We sometimes provide events, or programs, as a form of entertainment, engagement, and learning. You may be asked to help with these programs.

As a work study, your most common tasks will be to shelve books, check out and return books, and assisting with cleaning and other tasks. We encourage creativity and wanting to learn new things at the library. As a shelver, understanding the call number system is required. We will cover this on the next page.

Lesson 1

Introduction to the Community College Library

Library of Congress Call Numbers

Our library uses the Library of Congress Classification System, commonly called LC. In this system, subjects are associated by letters. For example, A is General Works, and AN means it is Newpapers. Some have as many as three letters in the beginning of the call number, like KFN, which is law of North Carolina. A standard call number looks like this: You don't have to know what it means, just how it goes in order on the shelf. You will learn on a software we have later.

NA 2543 .R37 C4 2020

Lesson 1

Introduction to the Community College Library

We provide many services. We provide books, scholarly journal articles, films, instructional videos, music, art, technology, printing, research coaching, and much more; but the most important thing we provide is a safe space. Safety is one of our number one concerns. As someone who is at the circulation desk for the majority of your shifts, it is vital to keep an eye on what people are doing in the library. If you ever feel odd about something, get a librarian immediately.

As a work study, there are certain things that are not your responsibility. You follow your set list of tasks. If you want to learn more, we will work together.

Coastal community college library

Organizational Chart

director of library services

academic librarian

academic librarian

aquisitionist

library technician

library technician

work studies

Lesson 2

Understanding Financial Aid and FAFSA

Objectives

Federal Work Study Student Role

• Introduction to financial aid and its importance for college students.
• Overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process.
• Step-by-step guidance on completing the FAFSA, emphasizing annual renewal.

Lesson 2

Understanding Financial Aid and FAFSA

Introduction

Importance of financial aid

As a student at an instititution of higher education, you have the opportunity to earn funding support, both federally and locally. One option provided by the federal government is the Federal Work Study Program. According to the U.S. Dept. of Education, federal work study "provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study."

At Coastal, in order to qualify for Federal Work Study, you:• Must meet CCCC Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) • Must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher each semester • Must be enrolled in 6 credits of coursework with the exception of Summer semester.

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Lesson 2

Understanding Financial Aid and FAFSA

FASFA Application

The most importance document of your academic career.

In order to recieve any type of financial assistance from any academic institution, you MUST fill out the FASFA Application EVERY YEAR. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is an essential application for students who are entering their first year of college. It is a form that determines your eligibility for federal financial aid programs, including grants, work-study opportunities, and federal student loans. The purpose of the FAFSA is to assess their financial need and determine the amount of financial aid you may qualify for. This aid is intended to help cover college expenses, including tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.

FASFA Application Process

You have already filled out the FASFA before since you have been hired here. But these steps are good to remember when filling out a FASFA application.

Complete the FASFA

Required Info

Create an FSA ID

Renewal

Accepting offers

Following up

Lesson 3

Library Services and Resources

Objectives

Library Services and Resources

• Introduction to the various services offered by the library, such as circulation, reference, and technology support.
• Overview of the library's physical and digital collections, including databases and e-resources.
• Training on library systems and software used for cataloging, circulation, and research assistance.

Lesson 3

Library Services and Resources

Physical Library Resources

Digital Library Resources

Instruction and Research Coaching

The library homepage

This is the library hompage. Click on the interactive elements to learn more about different parts of the library homepage.

Databases A-Z

This is the A-Z Databases page. Click on the interactive elements to learn more about different parts of the library homepage.

Databases A-Z

This is the page when a subject filter has been selected. Click on the interactive elements to learn more about different parts of the page.

Lesson 4

Customer Service and Patron Interaction

Objectives

Customer Service and Patron Interaction

• Importance of providing excellent customer service to library patrons.
• Communication skills and techniques for assisting patrons effectively.
• Handling difficult situations and resolving patron concerns in a professional manner.

Lesson 4

Customer Service and Patron Interaction

As an employee at the library, it is important you present yourself in a professional manner. Business casual attire is expected. Closed toe shoes are required for safety. If you are ever not sure what is appropriate to wear to work, ask your superviser. In your role, it is important that you maintain a positive attitude and are curious. It is also important that you keep your work station and locker clean and tidy. These factors and more all play a factor in your monthly employee evaluations. As a work study, you only help with so much. Once it becomes out of your range of responsibility, a librarian will take over.

Working in libraries involves a lot of customer service. Most of us have more customer service experience than we realize. Our role is to help people, and sometimes that means we learn something new along the way.

Lesson 4

Customer Service and Patron Interaction

Videos

Here are a few videos on cutomer service and working in libraries.

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

Objectives

Library Procedures and Policies

• Training on library procedures, including check-in/out, shelving, and interlibrary loan.
• Familiarization with the library's policies regarding noise, computer use, and borrowing privileges.
• Understanding the importance of privacy and confidentiality in the library setting.

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

In a library context, policies and procedures are distinct but interconnected elements that help guide the operations and ensure effective management. Policies and procedures work in tandem to ensure the smooth functioning of a library. Policies provide a broad framework and set expectations, while procedures provide specific instructions for carrying out tasks or processes aligned with those policies. Both are crucial for maintaining consistency, efficiency, and adherence to professional standards in library operations. The most commonly violated rule in the library is no meals. Snacks are allowed. If you see someone with a meal, get a library staff member.

click here for our library policies

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

1. Collection Development Policy: This policy outlines the criteria and guidelines for selecting, acquiring, and maintaining library materials. It may include factors such as relevance, quality, diversity, and community needs.
2. Circulation Policy: The circulation policy governs the borrowing and lending of library materials, including loan periods, renewal limits, fines, and restrictions. It ensures equitable access to resources while managing their availability and circulation.
3. Code of Conduct Policy: This policy establishes behavioral expectations for library patrons, defining acceptable conduct, noise levels, use of technology, and consequences for policy violations. It helps maintain a respectful and conducive environment for all library users.
4. Privacy and Confidentiality Policy: This policy ensures the privacy of patrons' personal information and their right to access library materials without surveillance or undue scrutiny. It outlines the library's commitment to protecting user data and maintaining confidentiality.

Policies

Library policies are overarching guidelines or principles that establish the framework for decision-making and set expectations for behavior, services, and resource management within the library. These policies are typically developed by library administration or governing bodies. Some common examples of library policies include:

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

1. Cataloging and Classification Procedure: This procedure outlines the steps for cataloging and classifying library materials, including assigning call numbers, entering metadata into the library catalog, and ensuring consistency and accuracy in record-keeping.
2. Reference Service Procedure: This procedure provides guidelines for assisting library users with their information needs, including techniques for conducting effective reference interviews, utilizing appropriate resources, and delivering accurate and helpful responses.
3. Interlibrary Loan Procedure: This procedure defines the process for requesting and borrowing materials from other libraries on behalf of library users. It may include steps for submitting requests, tracking borrowed items, and managing loan periods and returns.
4. Equipment Reservation Procedure: This procedure details how to reserve and utilize library equipment, such as laptops, projectors, or audiovisual devices. It may include guidelines for scheduling, equipment setup, and user responsibilities.

Procedures

Procedures, on the other hand, are detailed step-by-step instructions or protocols that describe how specific tasks or processes should be carried out within the library. Procedures are typically developed at the departmental or operational level. They are based on the policies and provide guidance for staff to implement and enforce the policies effectively. Examples of library procedures include:

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

Know who to go to

As a work study, it is your job at follow the policies and procedures of the library. If you see patrons violating the policies and/or procedures of the library, you notify a librarian. If you see someone blatantly doing something dangerous, contact security. It is not your responsibility to approach a difficult patron. Hover over the images to learn more.

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

Circulation procedures

The most common tasks you will be doing as a work study are: checking books out, checking books in, and shelving books. You will also check the book drops daily, keep the library tidy, clean, and answer the phone at the front desk (after it rings three times). In this section, we will go over circulation procedures.

Libraries use a system to manage books. We call this an ILS (Integrated Library System). The ILS we use is called "WorkFlows" by a company called SirsiDynix (or Sirsi for short). As a work study, you will use WorkFlows to check books (or items) out and return them, as well as searching for items in the ILS (we also call it the catalog). We will sit one-on-one with the system for you to learn it as best you can. Just know, it's okay if you forget things.

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

Checking items out

Checking items in (returning)

Checking item's status and location

To check out items in WorkFlows (WF), you select the "Check out" option on the WF sceen. You then scan the patron's library card. Once their name has shown up, you can then scan the item's Item ID (barcode). You then select "Close," which will prompt the receipt printer for you to press print.

WorkFlows uses the term "Discharge" for returning items. You simply scan the item's Item ID, you don't need the patron's library card. When scanning books returned via the Book Drop, you use the Book Drop feature under "Special" and backdate it by a day.

You can look up an item's status and location. You can see if the item is checked out, lost missing, etc. You can also see what part of the collection it should be in. For example, we have a Young Adult (YA) collection, so those item's will be labeled "YA." You will learn all the locations in time.

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Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

SirsiDynix Mentor

Everything you need to know

SirsiDynix provides training tutorials that are video based and interactive. As a work study, you do not have direct access, but a librarian can provide you with the training modules on site. You will watch a select few of these at the beginning of your training process. You can also find many videos online openly available. However, the system changes every few years, so some things may have changed visually.

Lesson 5

Library Procedures and Policies

Here are some videos available on YouTube. Watch them both and then continue.

Lesson 6

Collaboration and Professional Development

Lesson 6

Collaboration and Professional Development

Transferrable Skills

Working as a library work study provides valuable transferable skills that can be applied in diverse professional contexts. Interacting with library patrons on a daily basis enhances communication and customer service skills, as individuals assist visitors with locating materials, answering inquiries, and providing guidance. Attention to detail and organization are honed through tasks like shelving and maintaining the library's physical space. Furthermore, working in a collaborative environment alongside fellow staff members and participating in library programs fosters teamwork and the ability to effectively collaborate with others. Problem-solving and adaptability are developed through handling various challenges that arise during daily operations. Additionally, as technology plays an increasingly significant role in libraries, working as a page or intern allows individuals to enhance their digital literacy and adapt to evolving technologies. These transferable skills gained from working as a library work study can be highly valuable in future professional endeavors.

Lesson 6

Collaboration and Professional Development

Professional Development

Every employee is expected to participate in professional devleopment, which is actively continuing to learn more to apply to your job. As a work study, it is important for you to learn as much as you can now for the future. Here are some options available to hone your work skills.

occupational outlook handbook

build workplace skills

Lesson 6

Collaboration and Professional Development

Conferences and Workshops

Libraries activelly provide conferences and workshops in-person and online for free. You can use these to learn more about working in libraries, expecially as a paraprofessional. These are helpful if you are interested in pursuing library science as a career. Here is an example of workshops you can easily find online.

Quiz

Test your knowledge on what you've learned!

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