Many user services units collect patron transaction data, but how often are frontline library staff involved in the processes of meaning- and decision-making using this data? This session will detail one approach to integrating user services staff into the process of data analysis through the format of an in-unit working group. The working group undertakes a variety of qualitative analytical approaches to data collected in LibAnswers and Libraryh3lp in order to identify trends in patron needs and uses these trends to generate ideas for special projects. Attendees will gain insight into how including staff in the process of data analysis leads to better-vetted findings and actionable plans as well as increased staff engagement and agency.
The Student Employee Supervisors at Wartburg’s Vogel Library are always experimenting with new training methods. Our two teams of student employees are often the first contact patrons have when they seek library services, so it is important that we train our teams to be self-disciplined thinkers who will approach patron interactions with the highest level of quality, integrity and equity. In other words, with excellent customer service and a mindset of inclusion. The guiding force behind our training is our student employment policies (ex: safe space and confidentiality policies) and etiquette guidelines. Over the past few years changes in campus dynamics and feedback from students has prompted us to become more creative in our training approaches, incorporating the use of skits, one-on-one meetings, and Canvas, our campus’ learning management system. In this session we will talk about the evolution of our training and communication methods, our annual development cycle, and key takeaways. We will also provide an opportunity for session attendees to share their student employee training stories.
Student Employment & Circ. Supervisor, Wartburg College
In my current position I wear several hats, including supervising library student workers, overseeing circulation, and scheduling library classrooms and meeting rooms. Working in a library setting is fairly new to me, after working nearly 20 years for an environmental non-profi... Read More →
Student employees are the backbone of the academic library, particularly for access and circulation departments. Many of our student employees go on to enjoy careers in library and information services. Managers in circulation and access services develop early-career information professionals by promoting student employees to advanced roles, assigning advanced tasks and providing advanced training and mentorship. Additionally, advanced student workers help overburdened staff with their operational tasks like circulation reports, responding to patron emails, and stacks maintenance projects. Trusting our student employees with advanced mission-critical tasks more thoroughly engages them in our work, improving the quality of service our patrons receive and providing invaluable workplace experience to young professionals.
This conference session will involve a short discussion of advanced student worker roles in UW-Madison Access Services, including our recent role leveling project as we bring student roles from multiple libraries into alignment under one department. We will also discuss training and supervision best practices for advanced student employee roles. Interactive activities will follow, in which session attendees will examine tasks and roles from your own libraries to identify opportunities for advanced student employees. Templates and other take-home materials will be provided. This session will be most beneficial for managers and supervisors of student employees in access and circulation services but all are welcome to attend.
In this session, you will learn how to:
- Design advanced student positions, tasks and projects that match library needs with student career goals and interests - Train lead students to train and guide other student workers - Provide mentorship opportunities for early-career information professionals
You will leave with strategies you can use right away.
Get ready for a behind-the-scenes look at how one library system transformed a simple Strategic Plan idea into a vibrant, systemwide circulation staff conference; an event that not only built practical skills but sparked new confidence, collaboration, and professional growth across every level of circulation work.
An action team dug into systemwide survey responses to pinpoint the training topics that mattered most to our frontline staff. With that foundation, we brought in a keynote speaker, an inspiring leadership expert who wove staff interests into an energizing opening session that set the tone for the entire day.
Staff input fueled a lineup of sessions that blended hands-on learning with forward-thinking professional development: navigating workplace conflict, sustainable workplace ergonomics, pathways to promotion and more. You will learn in this session practical ideas, inspiration, and a clearer sense of how inclusive and staff driven planning will help you develop your own localized circulation conference.
