College Librarian Onboarding Process
Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new College Librarian starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Education onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new College Librarian, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample College Librarian onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.
College Librarian Onboarding Checklist
1. Orientation: The new college librarian attends an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the organization’s mission, values, policies, and procedures. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated orientation coordinator.
2. Introduction to the Library: The librarian is introduced to the library’s physical layout, including different sections, departments, and resources available. They are given a tour of the library and introduced to key staff members, such as department heads and supervisors. This task is usually performed by a senior librarian or the library director.
3. Introduction to Library Systems: The librarian is trained on the various library systems and software used for cataloging, circulation, and research purposes. They learn how to navigate the library’s integrated library system (ILS), online databases, and other digital resources. This task is typically performed by the library’s IT department or a designated systems librarian.
4. Collection Familiarization: The librarian is provided with an overview of the library’s collection, including its size, subject areas, and special collections. They learn how to locate and retrieve materials, as well as how to assist patrons in finding resources. This task is usually performed by the collection development librarian or a subject specialist.
5. Policies and Procedures: The librarian is given a comprehensive overview of the library’s policies and procedures, including those related to circulation, interlibrary loan, reference services, and copyright compliance. They are provided with written documentation and guidelines to refer to when needed. This task is typically performed by the library’s administration or a designated policy coordinator.
6. Training on Reference Services: The librarian receives training on providing reference services to library users, including how to conduct effective research, assist with information literacy, and answer reference questions. They learn about the library’s reference tools, such as online databases, reference books, and search strategies. This task is usually performed by the reference librarian or a designated reference services coordinator.
7. Collaboration with Faculty: The librarian is introduced to the faculty members they will be working with and learn about their specific needs and expectations. They are provided with guidelines on how to collaborate with faculty in developing course-specific resources, conducting research workshops, and supporting curriculum integration. This task is typically performed by the library’s liaison librarian or a designated faculty liaison coordinator.
8. Professional Development Opportunities: The librarian is informed about professional development opportunities available within the organization, such as conferences, workshops, and webinars. They are encouraged to participate in these activities to enhance their skills and stay updated with the latest trends in librarianship. This task is usually performed by the library’s professional development committee or a designated professional development coordinator.
9. Introduction to Library Committees: The librarian is introduced to various library committees and their roles, such as the collection development committee, technology committee, and outreach committee. They learn how to contribute to these committees and participate in decision-making processes. This task is typically performed by the library’s administration or a designated committee coordinator.
10. Performance Expectations and Evaluation: The librarian is provided with clear performance expectations and goals, as well as information on how their performance will be evaluated. They learn about the evaluation process, including performance reviews, feedback mechanisms, and opportunities for growth and advancement. This task is usually performed by the library’s administration or a designated performance management coordinator
Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process
From reading through the items in the example College Librarian checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new College Librarian up to speed and working well in your Education team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.