End-Processing Responsibilities

• Ensure that all items received are properly labeled, barcoded, and safely routed to the correct location in a timely manner.
• Ensure that all items that require it are properly housed.
• Notify the Technical Services Librarian and/or cataloging staff of any issues that arise.
• Keep detailed statistics of items end-processed.

Guidelines for Student Workers

Scheduling - General

• Student work hours are between 9 and 5pm, Monday through Friday.
• Shifts should be at least 2 hours in length.
• We will set up a schedule at the beginning of the term.
• Houghton Library is closed on national holidays, even when classes are in session.

Scheduling Changes

• Dropping shifts to accommodate studying or other conflicts is permitted on occasion. Email your supervisor no later than 24 hours beforehand.
• If you're too sick to work, try to email your supervisor by the start of your shift.
• We will try to accommodate requests for schedule changes, but we can't guarantee extra shifts. (Ex: We usually can't schedule more than two students to work at one time.)

Lateness

• Make every effort to arrive on time. Since most shifts are short, chronic lateness can make a big difference in the unit's ability to keep up with the workload.
• If you don't show up for a shift, Robin will send an email after 20-30 minutes to make sure we are on the same page about scheduling. (Miscommunications sometimes happen, so this email in itself is not a warning.)

Breaks

• You are allowed a paid 15 minute break for every 3 hours worked.
• For shifts 6 hours or longer, you are required to take a 30 minute unpaid meal break.
• Additional shorter breaks are allowed as needed.

Time sheets

• Time sheets are normally due at 5pm on Thursdays, although they are sometimes due earlier on weeks preceding national holidays. You'll receive weekly email reminders from PeopleSoft.
• Although we will try to remind you in person when timesheets are due early, is your responsibility to remember to submit.
• The website will allow you to submit until 5pm on Friday, after which time Lewis will need to report the hours for you.

Food and Drinks

Note: the food and drink policy is currently under review.

• For the protection of our collections materials, no food or beverages (other than water) are allowed in the work area.
  
• Water must be kept in a tightly closed container, and stored on a surface away from collections (ex: on the floor, on supply shelves).

Safe Handling Guidelines

(Adapted from "Care & Handling Orientation for New Staff" handouts)

Hand Washing

• Wash hands after eating, and after handling materials that will transfer dirt or grime to other materials (eg. red rot).
• Don't use hand creams while working, and avoid touching your face if you are wearing makeup.
  

Work Slowly and Have Enough Space

• Ensure that you have adequate space to move books and fully open enclosures. 
   

Pulling Materials form the Shelves

• Always use two hands.
  
• Don't grab too many items at a time.
  
• Have a "landing space" for what you are pulling.
• Grasp the middle of the book or the top middle of the text block (not the head cap).
• Ask for help with oversize materials, if necessary.
• Use a block to prop up items on the shelves. Have a block ready before you begin.
  

Opening Books

• Take a moment to look for signs of fragility before opening.
• Never open books farther than they want to open.
• Prop books open to 90 degrees (or less, if you feel resistance) using blocks and book snakes when affixing labels.

Other

• Keep water bottles closed and away from the work surface.
• Don't create tall stacks of books as you work. Large groups of books should be stored upright with a block.
• Never use books as a writing surface!
  
  • Don't rest routing slips, Aeon slips, or scrap paper on books when making notes.
  • Remove books from temporary CMI envelopes before writing on the envelopes.