Work Study Onboarding

Library Work Study Onboarding

Content by Nicole Vandiford, Expanded by Ashley Sprouse

1. Introduction

2. FINANCIAL AID AND FAFSA

3. Library Services and Resources

4.Customer Service and Patron Interaction

5.Procedures and Policies

6.Collaboration and professional development

Library's Misson

Role of a Work Study in the Library

Library of Congress Call Numbers

1. Introduction to the Community College Library

Organizational Chart

Introduction to Financial Aid

Overview of FAFSA

Step-by-step Guide to FAFSA Completion and Annual Renewal

2. Financial Aidand FAFSA

Services and Resources

Training in Library Systems and Software

3. Library Services and Resources

Overview of Library Collections

The library homepage

Back

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.

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Evergreen

Evergreen is our LMS (Library Management System) and it is where you will spend a lot of your time when it comes to tasks at the circulation desk. You can watch the videos below to get familiar with how Evergreen works, however note that the information for our client will sometimes be different from the information used in the video. Additional training will be provided later.

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Providing Excellent Customer Service

Skills and Techniques for Assisting Patrons

4.Customer Service and Patron Interaction

Overview of Policies and Procedures

Policies

Procedures

5. Procedures and Policies

Transferrable Skills

Professional Development

6. Collaboration and Professional Development

Organizational Chart

Director of Library Services

Norrine Burton

Academic Librarian

Academic Librarian

Ashley Sprouse

Heather Mire

Library Technician

Library Technician

Aquisitionist

Teresa Ortega

Kerry Brinker

Marilyn Gresham

Work Study

Work Study

Work Study

Work Study

Skills and Techniques

Here are a few videos on customer service within a library setting.

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.

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.

Professional Development

Every employee is expected to participate in professional development, 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.

Building workplace skills with LearningExpress Library

Occupational Outlook Handbook

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.

Procedures

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. 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. 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, 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 you will be learning include: 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

We provide many services and resources, such as 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 or uncomfortable about something, get a librarian immediately. If you believe it might be an emergency situation, call security first, then get a librarian. For a full, comprehensive list of the resources and services we provide, click the link below.

Library Website

Role of a 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: The Part-Time Handbook and the Library Work Study Manual. Below are links to both. 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 also requires adaptability and flexibility, as well as the ability to learn new things quickly. 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. As a shelver, understanding the call number system is required. We will cover this on the next page. Unlike public libraries, community college libraries focus on teaching and learning. We do have leasure reading, but our main patrons are students. Members of the public are able to get library cards and utilize some, but not all, of our services. 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.

Library Work Study Manual

Part-time handbook

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 more about LC on a software we have called LC Easy.

NA2543 .R37 C4 2020

FAFSA 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.

Completing the FAFSA

Creating an FSA ID

Required Documents

Renewal

AcceptingOffers

FollowingUp

Explore Evergreen

Explore the Library Homepage

Explore the Databases A-Z Page

Policies

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. 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. 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.

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: 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.

The librarians have master's degrees; therefore, they are qualified to teach Information Literacy and research skills. The librarians have whole classes visit the library for training, or students request one-on-one research coaching. If a librarian is available, we will also accept walk-ins. There are things the librarians don't help with that the Writer's Center is better for, such as formating/proof reading a paper, or forming citations. Librarians can help with things like general research and finding sources for papers.

Instruction and Research Coaching

The library provides many physical resources. We have materials that students can check out and take home, like books and DVDs. We also have resources patrons can check out for in-library use - meaning it cannot leave the library. We also have spaces where students can study: the general space, individual study rooms, group study rooms, desktop computers, and an Information Literacy Lab. Refer to the polices on the library website for more information on restrictions with these.

Physical Resources

We offer a vast amount of our resources online. We have almost 160 databases for students, faculty, and staff to utilize. Library patrons who are members of the public do NOT get access to our digital/electronic resources. We provide a variety of resources from career development to streaming music. It is good to familiarize yourself with as many of our digital resources as possible.

Digital Resources

FAFSA Application

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.

Coastal's Financial Aid Information

Overview on Policies and Procedures

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.

click here for our library policies

Providing Excellent Customer Service

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. 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, you can always 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.