Documentalist Onboarding Checklist

Documentalist Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Documentalist 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 Library onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Documentalist, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Documentalist onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Documentalist Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The new documentalist attends an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the company’s mission, values, and organizational structure. This task is typically performed by the HR department or a designated onboarding specialist.

2. Introduction to Library Policies and Procedures: The documentalist is provided with a comprehensive overview of the library’s policies and procedures, including circulation, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and reference services. This task is usually conducted by the head librarian or a senior staff member.

3. Familiarization with Library Systems: The documentalist receives training on the library’s integrated library system (ILS), digital asset management system, and other relevant software used for cataloging, indexing, and managing library resources. This training is typically conducted by the library’s IT department or a designated systems librarian.

4. Collection Development: The documentalist is introduced to the library’s collection development policies and procedures, including the selection, acquisition, and deselection of materials. They may also be provided with guidelines for assessing the needs of library users and identifying gaps in the collection. This task is usually overseen by the head librarian or a collection development librarian.

5. Reference and Research Services: The documentalist is trained on providing reference and research assistance to library users, including using online databases, conducting literature searches, and answering inquiries. This training is typically conducted by the reference services department or a designated reference librarian.

6. Cataloging and Classification: The documentalist receives training on cataloging and classifying library materials using standardized systems such as MARC, AACR2, RDA, and Library of Congress Classification. They learn how to create bibliographic records, assign subject headings, and ensure accurate metadata. This training is usually conducted by the cataloging department or a cataloging librarian.

7. Interlibrary Loan: The documentalist is introduced to the library’s interlibrary loan policies and procedures, including requesting and borrowing materials from other libraries and providing materials to external libraries. They learn how to use interlibrary loan systems and adhere to copyright regulations. This task is typically overseen by the interlibrary loan department or a designated interlibrary loan librarian.

8. Preservation and Conservation: The documentalist is trained on preservation and conservation techniques to ensure the long-term care and accessibility of library materials. They learn about proper handling, storage, and repair methods for various formats, as well as disaster preparedness. This training is usually conducted by the preservation department or a designated preservation librarian.

9. Collaboration with Other Departments: The documentalist is introduced to other departments within the library, such as archives, special collections, and digital initiatives. They learn about potential collaborative projects and how to effectively communicate and coordinate with colleagues from different areas. This task may involve meetings with department heads or designated representatives.

10. Professional Development Opportunities: The documentalist is informed about professional development opportunities, such as attending conferences, workshops, and webinars, as well as joining relevant professional associations. They are encouraged to pursue continuing education and stay updated on emerging trends and technologies in the library field. This information is typically provided by the library’s professional development committee or a designated staff member

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Documentalist checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Documentalist up to speed and working well in your Library 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.