Name Badge: Always wear your name badge. It gives you authority when asking a patron to do or stop doing something. It reassures parents and kids that you are a safe and appropriate person to be talking to. It lets patrons know you are a good person to go to for information.
At the start of your shift, if possible, please take time to check your City email. It will include the most recent Staff meeting minutes and emails since you worked last. This is the most consistent way to keep everyone informed of what is going on.
Cash Registrar: Always initial the receipts. It is simply helpful.
When closing, wait to empty the cash registrar and take the money to the safe AFTER the doors are closed and locked.
Clutter at the CSD: Keep your personal items to an absolute minimum while at the desk. There are staff lockers that you are welcome to use. Let Amber know if you need a lock.
Daily Papers: Get an ID from everyone, even our regulars. We want to provide the same services to all our patrons regardless of familiarity.
Same day holds When you find a book at another SPLASH library, and the patron's response is "I will go there and get it." Best practice is to call that library and have them put the book and trigger the hold. "Hello, JFK, I have a patron who would like to come and pick up Gulliver's Travels right now. Can you pull it and trigger the hold, please?" They will respond with a yes. Stay on the phone to make sure the item was found and the hold was triggered. We do this to avoid the patron driving to another library only to find the item missing or has been checked out by someone else.
The Go Slows: Proper checkout and check in - Go slow. Double check that the item(s) have been checked out in Polaris/on their account. Look through the books to note the damage. When checking back IN items, take the time to make sure all the parts are still there and to note the damage. Go slow when using the cash register. If you feel pressure from the patrons in line, ring the bell.
The Line: Work to keep patrons in a queue, respecting the privacy of all, allowing staff to finish what they are doing before switching to the next patron, and ensuring a level of fair access to the CSD.
“If you can stand in line we will be right with you.” “There is a sign right where the line starts.” “Next time if you could stand by the sign we will be able to see you and help you.”
Also, use common sense. Every patron is not expected to start at the sign if that is not required.
We do not give out personal information or work schedules: "It is our policy not to discuss employees." or "I am sorry, but I cannot disclose specific details about an employee. It is essential to respect everyone's privacy."
Using other people’s computers - Don’t. If you are at the desk for someone to take a break, make sure they are logged off of Polaris and log in with your own initials.
