Recently in Protocols & Standards Category

Twin Cities Campus Student Employment Rules
Every student employee must be aware and familiar with the Twin Cities Campus Student Employment Rules. This document is only available online.

Student Position Descriptions
The job title for students working in CRSS is Student Library Assistant. Every student hired assumes the basic responsibilities of shelving materials, stack maintenance, searches, and other duties as assigned. Students are also trained to work the circulation desks and assist in special projects, once they are familiar with the basics.

Student Eligibility
Students must be registered for a minimum amount of credits to be eligible for student employment. Dropping below the minimum credit load will result in loss of job and negate payment for hours worked. Check with a supervisor for minimum credit level.

Students employed at one or more campus jobs cannot exceed 40 work hours per week. Notify a supervisor if you have more than one campus job, or change the number of credits you are registered for.

Work Study Students
In addition to the rules governing student employment, there are rules and conditions that apply to work-study students. Students receiving work-study may have limited earnings eligibility. The work-study amount is determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Earnings are monitored to ensure they do not exceed the work-study award.

Work Study Status
When students are no longer eligible for work-study, staff will try to transfer them into a non-work-study position. This is dependent upon available funds and is not guaranteed. When this occurs, the number of hours a student works may decrease.

University Closings
University closings are announced on WCCO 830AM. Closing information is also available by calling the University Librarian’s office (612) 624-4520.

Protocols

Timecards

• Sign each new timecard the first time you use it to prevent delays in payment for time worked; unsigned timecards cannot be processed.
  
• Should you forget to punch in or out, tell a supervisor immediately.
  
• Do not write or make corrections on yours or anyone else’s timecard.

Schedule

• Assignments are given on an hourly basis. Check the schedule hourly for changes and reassignments. Always ask for clarification or added direction if needed.
  
• Begin work assignments promptly on the hour. At 5 minutes to the hour, return to the Annex to check your schedule.

Ongoing Training and Unit Meetings

• Occasionally, students will be asked to attend training sessions or unit meetings that occur outside of scheduled work hours. Students are expected to attend all training sessions and meetings when posted as mandatory.
  
• During training sessions and meetings, treat the trainers and fellow attendees in a respectful manner, and participate in activities and discussions.

Attendance

• If you become ill, call the Stacks supervisor within an appropriate amount of time before the start of your shift to report your absence.
  
• Three consecutive unexcused absences are grounds for dismissal.

Breaks

• Break times are 5 minutes for each hour worked when working a block of four hours or greater.

Food and Drink

• Food and drink are not permitted in public areas of the library. Food and drink, including water, should be consumed in the Annex office or staff break room.

Attire

• Wear safe and comfortable footwear, no flip-flops.
  
• You are expected to have a clean appearance.
  
• Offensive language or sayings are not allowed.

Headphones

• Headphones may be worn in the open stacks but not in the Annex. Keep sound at a level that will not disturb patrons or co-workers.
  
• Take headphones off when addressing others.

Cell phones and pagers

• Cell phones and pagers are not allowed in the stacks. Their use is not permitted unless you are on break.

Personal Belongings

• Keep personal belongings in the Annex office. Other areas in the library are not secure.

Customer Service

• If you are approached by a patron who needs assistance, be courteous and give accurate information to the best of your ability.
  
• If the patron is asking for information you don’t know, refer them to the Reference desk on the first floor.
  
• Wear your “Library Staffâ€? nametag during your entire shift.
  
• Attend the Customer Service Training within the first semester of starting work.

Safety Concerns

• In case of fire alarm, leave the building immediately. Do not use elevators, and do not return to the Annex office.
  
• If someone in the stacks is making you feel uncomfortable while you are working notify a supervisor immediately. Your duties will be reassigned.
  
• If you are injured, stop work and report to a supervisor immediately.

Standards and Expectations

Scheduling and Attendance

• You are expected to be reliable and dependable in your attendance.
  
• You are expected to arrive on time, ready to work. Adjust your schedule with a supervisor if you routinely cannot get to work on time.
  
• You are expected to work the shifts agreed upon by you and your supervisor; appointments and meetings should be scheduled outside of your work hours.
  
• You are expected to make any changes to your work schedule in advance; calling in absent the day of your shift because of an exam, etc. is not acceptable.
  
• You are expected to find a replacement for shifts you need off, except for illness or emergency circumstances.
  
• Changes to your schedule should be kept to a minimum; excessive changes may result in a loss of hours.

Quantity of Work

• With training and practice, the following performance standards are expected:
  

  Shelving: Can shelve 80 books OR two book-truck shelves per hour
  Troubled Area Maintenance: Can complete three to five sections per hour
  Shelfreading: Can complete one to two sections per hour
  Pick up and Deliveries: Picking up and sorting an average sized pick up (150 books) and deliveries should take about an hour to complete.

Quality of Work

• Your work is accurate and thorough; you apply yourself to the scheduled task; you ask for assistance and information when needed.
  
• You take initiative and are resourceful; you communicate ideas about any problems with the collection or tasks to a supervisor; you answer questions from and provide assistance to co-workers, supervisors, and library patrons when needed.
  
• You stay focused on your work and keep conversations to a minimum.

Evaluations

Students must pass a 260 hour probationary period to continue their employment, and will be evaluated at that time. After the probationary period, students are evaluated every 320 hours. Students are evaluated on their success at following protocol and achieving the minimum standards and expectations noted above.

Please always remember that this blog is accessible to anyone with access to the web. Here are a few guildelines to follow whenever you are commenting or posting:

1. Do not publish sensitive information such as: Patron name, contact information, or materials associated with patrons.

2. Please also be respectful towards your co-workers by only using their first names in posts, and never posting their contact information.

3. For situations that may be deemed inappropriate for everyone in the Unit to view, for example a conflict with a co-worker, please talk directly to your supervisors instead of posting it to the blog.

4. You may use the blog to help you find a replacement worker for a shift, but do not rely solely on the blog alone. It is a good idea to use all tools, such as the sign up sheet (required), and e-mail or phone contact to communicate with your co-workers.

5. It is not expected that you read the blog outside of your work shift.