New Employee Orientation

Every new employee (librarian, classified and professional staff) receives a New Employee Orientation (NEO) that is designed to welcome employees; show that employees are valued; and, instill in employees the idea that their active participation in the library and university communities is welcomed and expected. Secondary purposes are to make the Libraries a workplace of choice, that is, to increase job satisfaction and decrease turnover. Specific on-the-job training occurs at the unit level. The NEO takes place over the course of the first several months of employment. It involves a variety of individuals from the employee’s supervisor to the Director of Libraries. University resources are also used.

Listed below are the components of the program that is coordinated by the Libraries Staff Development and Training Coordinator and the Libraries Manager of Personnel and Administrative Services.

• Supervisor and each new employee receive copies of “Checklists for New Employees” which they talk about together.
• New employees receive a welcome letter. The letter includes an upbeat welcome, a few important websites they might need, and a Libraries artist’s bookmark.
• Once a month the Director holds a “Coffee and Conversation” hour for new employees to which they are formally invited. They receive special coffee mugs given only to new employees.
• Employees attend a university one-day orientation and benefits program.
• Each new employee is introduced at the InForum, the Libraries’ monthly meeting for all staff.
• A Libraries’ one-day orientation is offered as soon as there are 5 new employees. The day includes a tour of campus libraries (done by Reference & Research Services staff) in the morning, optional lunch, and an afternoon session that includes an icebraker, information, Q & A, appropriate videos, and refreshments. The Director and Deputy Director both attend the afternoon session.
• Each new employee receives a packet of information, exercises and websites to alert them to the need to stay ergonomically healthy.
• Each new employee is invited to and expected to attend a Libraries customer service class. Several sections of customer service are offered each quarter.
• The Strategic Leadership Program is a 5-day program that is attended by those who supervise at least one FTE (librarian, classified or professional). This is a university-sponsored and subsidized program for all supervisors/managers on campus.

The program is constantly revised and appropriate components are added to the program. Evaluations are enthusiastically positive and suggestions for improvement are incorporated whenever possible.

Program costs are staff time, refreshments and photocopies.