Librarian's Helper - Lewis & Clark Library System

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Page8THE LIBRARIANS’ RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONCERNSIntroductionThe librarian is the CEO of the library, answerable to the board, responsive to the staff,understanding with the public. The librarian is expected to know everything about running alibrary, to stay ahead of trends, to be a people person 24 hours a day, have a law degree, workevery weekend, and be paid pennies a day. The librarian who can do all of this has yet to bediscovered!However, with patience, help, and experience, librarians learn how to administer apublic library. Just remember help is available by talking with the System consultants,neighboring librarians, and the State Library staff. An astonishingly timeless book to read isEssentials of Library Administration, second edition c1912. This book, whichever edition is read,reminds us that the more things change, the more they stay the same! Another wonderfulresource is Directors ASK! a LibraryU module posted in WebJunction Illinois’ course catalog at:http://il.webjunction.org/catalogOversees library servicesThe librarian ensures that all of the library’s services are offered to the public in aconvenient, equal, and regular manner. The librarian may and should recommend to the boardany changes in the library’s services.Library services traditionally include circulating library material, collection development,interlibrary loan, readers advisory, cataloging, answering reference questions, presentingchildren’s and other programming, offering computer and Internet access, and delivery tohomebound patrons.In order to provide the services wanted and needed by the community, the librarianwatches trends, evaluates services, and builds relationships with the community.Supervises staffThe librarian supervises and is responsible for all library staff. The librarian acts as boss,parent, teacher, trainer, and confidant to the staff. The librarian must make sure all staff isproperly trained in their individual duties and responsibilities. Staff should participate in anannual evaluation. If a staff member is not working to his/her full potential, the librariandetermines why and takes a proper course of action—retraining, fewer hours, more hours, andif necessary, firing.Understands laws, regulations, ordinances and codesA variety of laws, regulations, and/or codes at the federal, state and local levels governall local libraries. The librarian must be familiar with how these restrictions and laws impact the
Page9library. A partial list of these laws is included later in the handbook. Another resource for lawsimpacting libraries is Serving Our Public 2.0, the public library standards for Illinois libraries.The librarian needs to establish and maintain a working relationship with the library’sattorney. This way if a question arises, it is a simple manner for the librarian to contact theattorney for legal advice.Selects library materialThe collection needs to reflect the current and future taste of the Library’s community.However, this is frequently a guessing game. It is hard to determine what will be of interestand/or popular to read next week or next year. By watching trends, reading professionalliterature, and accepting suggestions, the librarian will be able to select items of interest to thecommunity. The library should take advantage of the various discounts offered by book andmaterial vendors to System members to help increase the library’s buying power.Serving Our Public 2.0 standards indicate 12% of the library’s operating budget shouldbe dedicated to purchasing material for the library (see Serving Our Public 2.0, chapter 7).Under Illinois law, public libraries must have a policy covering the selection and use oflibrary materials, 75 ILCS 5/4-7.2 or 75 ILCS 16/30-60. This policy must be reviewed at leastevery two years, if not more often. The collection development policy should includeinformation on the library’s weeding and inventory processes.Supervises library facility and propertyThe librarian is responsible for the daily oversight of the physical building and property.This includes arranging for appropriate insurance coverage, regular cleaning, regular checks fordamage, etc.One task which might be forgotten is learning where things are located within thebuilding and on its grounds. This really cannot be left for later as usually later is too late. Thelibrarian must become familiar with the emergency exits, the shut off values for gas and water,where the garbage is gathered for collection and how often it is collected, the cleaning scheduleand who cleans what, how the heating/air conditioning/ventilation systems work, where thecarpet spot remover is stored, etc. A sketch of the library, indicating where windows, doors,steps, electric outlets, water values and other items are located is helpful in an emergency.Oversees library securityWhile the library board is responsible for the overall security and safety of the library,daily oversight is delegated to the librarian. The safety of library patrons and staff is paramount;the safety of the collection is always secondary to that of patrons and staff. Safety issuesinclude even flooring, non-tattered carpeting, snow/ice removal from walks and parking areas,security lighting on walks and parking areas, etc. The library’s emergency or disaster plan
Page 1: TheLibrarian’sHelperCompiled byCh
Page 4 and 5: Page4INTRODUCTIONThe Librarian’s
Page 6 and 7: Page6library card for purchase by a
Page 10: Page10includes steps to evacuate th
Page 13 and 14: Page13BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES AND CO
Page 15 and 16: Page15other staff OR 2) have purcha
Page 17 and 18: Page17• Expulsion : To exclude fr
Page 19 and 20: Page19Resolutions and OrdinancesLoc
Page 21 and 22: Page21and location. The agenda for
Page 23 and 24: Page23Presents the library’s budg
Page 25 and 26: Page25Personal Property Replacement
Page 27 and 28: Page27LAWS IMPACTING LIBRARIESThe l
Page 29 and 30: Page29PERSONNEL ISSUESIntroductionT
Page 31 and 32: Page31income tax payments, and insu
Page 33 and 34: Page33collection. Libraries are enc
Page 35 and 36: Page35GRANT INFORMATIONA variety of
Page 37 and 38: Page37APPENDIX A: MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
Page 39 and 40: Per Capita Grant Application due 15
Page 41 and 42: JuneThe Fiscal Year ends on the 30
Page 43 and 44: APPENDIX C: OATH OF OFFICEOath of O
Page 45 and 46: their approval.The legal citation i
Page 47 and 48: APPENDIX E: POLICY LIST FOR PUBLIC

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