Transcript Branch Library Management Instructor: Hillary Theyer [email protected] An Infopeople Workshop Spring 2008 This Workshop Is Brought to You By the Infopeople Project Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project supported.

Branch Library
Management
Instructor:
Hillary Theyer
[email protected]
An Infopeople Workshop
Spring 2008
This Workshop Is Brought to You By
the Infopeople Project
Infopeople is a federally-funded grant project
supported by the California State Library. It
provides a wide variety of training to California
libraries. Infopeople workshops are offered
around the state and are open registration on a
first-come, first-served basis.
For a complete list of workshops, and for other
information about the project, go to the Infopeople
website at infopeople.org.
Workshop Overview
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Roles of branch libraries
Branch library collections
Branch facility basics
Branch services and programs
Branch staff and supervision
Incidents and emergencies
Wrap-up
Manager Hats
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Boss
Collection builder
Service provider
Public face
Building maintenance
Problem solver
Incident commander
Roles of Branch Libraries
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Popular materials center
Local information
Ready reference and non-fiction
Community activity center
Information and referral
Formal education support
Early literacy and childhood learning
Other Roles for Branch Libraries
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Free day care
Skateboard park
Public restroom/bathing facility
Social center
Meet your tutor/notary/real estate agent
Use the internet/phone/copier
Stay warm/cool
Find someone to talk to
Manager’s View of Branch
Collections
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Scope of role in collection development
Level and depth of collection
Use of collection
Condition of collection
Budget for collection
Weeding policies and procedures
Assessing Collection Depth
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Popular/recreational
Basic/general
Instructional
Research
Exhaustive
Other Collection Concerns for
the Manager
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Quality vs. demand
Space
Price
Controversial content
Cataloging and access
Format issues
Basics of Collection Budgeting
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Format of the budget
Time span for budgeting
Percentage requirements
Purchase limitations
Reporting requirements
Maintenance of records
Buying Goes With Weeding
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Move out the deadwood
Display the great stuff
Help people find what they need
Make branch more attractive
Increase circulation
Make room to buy more!
Use MUSTIE
The Library Building
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Manager’s building knowledge
While on your building walk
What do I do if?
Considerations for unexpected closure
What You Need To Know About
Your Library Building
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Do building walks
Know the major systems
Know who maintains and fixes them
Know who to call when something
doesn’t work
On Your Building Walk
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Damage or vandalism
Windows
Graffiti
Entrances/exits
Landscaping
Outer fixtures
Signs
Trash
What Do I Do If?
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Building damage found
Safety issue
Security issue
Nuisance issue
Long-term issue
Find out before you need to know!
Manager’s Role for Unexpected
Closure of the Library
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Make and hang signs
Change phone messages
Assign bookdrop duty
Alter due dates of materials
Handle public relations
Notify authorities
Notify staff!
Branch Library Services
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How well is it working now?
Who is using the library?
What impact do we have?
Let’s do some outreach!
The exciting part!
Assessing Branch
Library Services
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System services
Library users
Library use patterns
Other services in area
Your available resources
Your potential resources
Who is Using the Library?
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Working adults
Parents
Young children
Teens
Students
Older adults
Job seekers
Manager Plans Input to Impact
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Inputs – what do I need to do this?
Process – how will it work?
Outputs – what can I count?
Outcomes – what will the public get?
Impacts – what is the long term benefit?
Performing Outreach
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Seek out local events, fairs, festivals
Make contact with community groups
Offer to charities, foundations, societies
Host or visit book groups
Read the local paper
Make customer contacts
Managing and Supervising
• Train new staff, retrain others
• Train and review daily supervision
duties with anyone left in charge
• Resolve “difficulties” as they arise
Training Your Staff
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Develop a training schedule
Add written documentation
Use real life examples
Include side by side learning
Ask for feedback
Set aside time
Essentials For Staff Training
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Security of property duties
Customer service expectations
Cash handling and record requirements
Policies and procedures
Usage of equipment
Emergency procedures
Resolving “Difficulties”
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Supervisor ≠ best friend
Goal is improvement not punishment
Know system policy and procedure
Assess the personalities involved
Assess the particular situation
Know, but let go of, the past
Coaching and Discipline
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Facts
Rule
Impact
Suggestion/correction
Knowledge
Incidents and Emergencies
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Policy, procedure, and practice
Policy development
Policy enforcement
Common policy scenarios
Incident reporting
Basic emergency checklist
Three Ps for the Manager
• Policy
– formal
– governing body
• Procedure
– written, step-by-step instructions
• Practice
– way things get done
Policy Development and the
Manager’s Role
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Draft the policy statement
Obtain approvals
Design and create notification
Provide training
Provide re-enforcement
Reward the change!
Policy Enforcement and the
Manager’s Role
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Show no fear
Know your policy
Know your options and limits
Go in with good expectations
Tell the person what they get
Be ready for the next step
Three Common Enforcement
Scenarios in a Branch Library
• Unattended children
• Homeless patrons
• Fines and fees
Unattended Children
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What’s the policy?
Can you get contact information?
Assess the immediate situation
Call law enforcement?
Have a handout/posting of policy
Know the consequences
Homeless
• What’s the policy?
• What’s the true problem?
– appearance, behavior, location
• What’s the rule violation?
– hygiene, loitering, bags, sleeping
• Other factors?
– mental state, current use, space
Fines and Fees
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What’s the policy?
What power do you have?
Consistency across your staff
Consistency across other locations
Communication
Four Tests for a Legally
Enforceable Library Policy
• Does the policy comply with current
statutes?
• Is the policy reasonable? Including
reasonable penalties?
• Could there be discriminatory
application?
• Is the policy measurable?
Policy Needs E.N.D.
• Equal enforcement
• Notice
• Due process
Incidents
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Handle consistently
Document, document, document!
Communicate UP first
Train as needed, and before it happens
again
Incident Reporting
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Date, time, place, people
Order of events
Direct dialogue
Direct action
NO assessment, interpretation,
diagnosis, guesses, or blame
• Name authorities and witnesses
• Follow up
Basic Emergency Supplies
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Emergency supply checklist
Emergency phone numbers
Evacuation kit
Personal kit
Essential Phone Numbers
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Police (911 and non-emergency)
Fire (911 and non-emergency)
Building maintenance
Emergency contacts for staff
Your boss
Helpful neighbors
Follow-Up After
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Take care of your staff
Take care of the library
Pursue incident with higher authority
Training needed?
Review of policy needed?
Resources needed?
Thanks and kudos!
Manager Hats
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Boss
Collection builder
Service provider
Public face
Building maintenance
Problem solver
Incident commander
– oh, sometimes Librarian too!
Say oh wise man how you have
come to such knowledge?
Because I was never ashamed to
confess my ignorance and ask
others.
- Johann Gottfried Von Herder, critic and poet (1744-1803)
Ask Me!
Hillary Theyer
Torrance Public Library
(310) 618-5953
[email protected]
Thank you!
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