Investing in a comprehensive student staff development program

Abstract

A recent renovation and new leadership set the stage for our library's Public Services team to transform the culture surrounding student employment. Previous student staff development was inconsistent, causing unreliable communication, irregular performance, and frustration for supervisors and students alike. Since our student staff are the front lines of patron service, supervisors sought to provide the resources and support our students needed to become skilled professionals, providing better service and experiencing a greater sense of job satisfaction. , , Our team revised every aspect of the student employment process over the 2016-17 academic year. Our vision included clarifying job descriptions and moving the application process online, standardizing interview questions, creating comprehensive training in D2L, streamlining payroll processes, and implementing a recognition program. Our working group created an environment where our student employees learn valuable professional skills in a consistent way, while dramatically improving our library users' service experience.,