Henderson Library Student Assistant Handbook
Welcome to the staff of the Henderson Library! Student Assistants are critically important to the Library, and we hope that your work experience here will be rewarding for you. Your contribution to our efforts in attaining the Library' goals will be appreciated by your supervisors and other permanent staff of the Library, as well as our many patrons.
As a SERVICE organization, our main goal is to help our patrons fulfill their informational needs. When you join the staff as a student assistant, you become a REPRESENTATIVE of the Library. Always make an effort to be courteous and helpful. If you cannot answer a question, find a staff member who can. Misinformation can be worse than no information. Directing a patron incorrectly can cause a great deal of frustration, especially if this happens repeatedly. Even if you never deal directly with patrons, remember that the CARE and ACCURACY you put into your work will help patrons locate what they need. We expect our student assistants to be considerate, responsible, and conscientious on the job.
BREAKS
A 15 minute paid break may be taken if you are working four or more CONSECUTIVE hours. Breaks may not be taken at the beginning or end of your shift. Your supervisor has the authority to schedule your break.
COMPUTERS
Use of the computers by student assistants is limited to library business use only. Personal use for homework, e-mail, and browsing the internet is not permitted on work time.
DRESS
Appropriate dress is required throughout the Library but some departments have more specific requirements. Ask your supervisor for the departmental rules.
ELIGIBILITY
To maintain your eligibility to work, you must be at least a half-time student. This means that you must not drop below 6 credit hours per semester and remain on the payroll. Notify your supervisor immediately of any change in the number of hours in which you are enrolled.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT: Only students who are attending summer school and taking 6 credit hours may work during the summer.
FOOD/DRINK
Food and/or drinks are permitted in the library, however, they should not appear in the public service areas. They should be consumed either at Zach's Snacks or in a designated departmental area.
ID BADGES
Student assistants must wear identification badges while on duty. Public service student assistants are required to wear both a blue vest and an identification badge.
LUNCH/DINNER
Meals are NOT paid breaks. Remember to sign out as you leave and sign in upon returning from lunch or dinner. If your shift is longer than six consecutive hours, you MUST take a meal break of at least 30 minutes. If your time sheet indicates that you have worked more than six hours without signing out for a meal break, you will be DOCKED 45 minutes for that shift.
OFF LIMIT AREAS
You are not permitted to use the Library staff lounge while on break and/or during lunch. Neither is the lounge to be used as a study hall. Other off limit areas include arriving and leaving through the Administrative office and/or by way of the loading dock area.
PAYCHECKS
You may pick-up your paycheck from the Circulation Desk, or your departmental secretary, every other Friday, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Student supervsiors are often asked by potential employers to provide letters of recommendation for present or past student assistants. Although there may be little or no correlation between the skills required for your library job and your future career, your library job will provide you with the opportunity to showcase skills you already have or to develop new skills important to future employers. Dependability, the ability to work with others, initiative, problem‑solving ability, and attention to detail are critical to almost any profession. Keep in mind that supervisors can provide you with valuable references in the future.
SCHEDULES
Student Supervisors and the staff of the Henderson Library recognize that your school work is, and should be, your first priority. Nevertheless, your ability to adhere to a certain schedule is a basic precondition for employment.
Please provide your supervisor with a copy of your GSU‑generated class schedule. You and your supervisor will draw up a schedule that you will be expected to maintain. If you cannot work a given shift or need to adjust your hours in any way, you must get permission in advance from your immediate supervisor. If you are ill or have an emergency, you MUST call your supervisor to let them know that you cannot work your scheduled hours. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to know your supervisor's phone number.
- INSTITUTIONAL STUDENTS: The number of hours you may work will be decided by your supervisor. However, the MAXIMUM possible hours you may work per week while classes are in session is 40. The University does not permit overtime. (If you have another job on campus in addition to your library job, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to see to it that your COMBINED weekly hours do not exceed 40 per week during the semester and 40 during intersession. Students who work in excess of 40 hours in one week are subject to termination).
- WORK STUDY STUDENTS: The number of hours you may work will be decided by your supervisor. However, the MAXIMUM possible hours you may work is150 hours per semester and 40hours per week while classes are in session. The University does not permit overtime. (If you have another job on campus in addition to your library job, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to see to it that your COMBINED weekly hours do not exceed 40 during the semester. Students who work in excess of 40 hours in one week are subject to termination.)
- INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: Must hold a valid visa that permits work in the U.S.. During the regular academic term (fall and spring), on campus work by international students is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session and 40 hours per week during vacation terms ( as long as you have maintained your full time status for the Fall and Spring semesters). This is a
federal regulation and applies to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Some international students are employed in more than one department. The 20 hour limit is the maximum for all positions. (If you have another job on campus in addition to your library job, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to see to it that your COMBINED weekly hours do not exceed 20 per week during the semester and 40 during intercession. Students who work in excess of 40 hours in one week are subject to termination.)
- EXAM PERIODS: Your supervisor is prepared to adjust your work schedule during exam weeks. As with any other schedule modification, you MUST make arrangements with your supervisor in advance.
TELEPHONES
Library telephones are for business use. If you must make a call, get your supervisor's permission and make it brief.
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
Please give your supervisor at least two weeks notice if you intend to leave your job.
Certain rule violations in each department are grounds for IMMEDIATE dismissal. Your supervisor will make you aware of such violations at the start of your employment. You can expect to be given a warning for other violations.
TIME SHEETS
Some departments use time sheets while others use time clocks. The Library uses time sheets. Your supervisor will fill out your time sheet for you. It is imperative that you sign your time sheet by Wednesday of the pay period. Time sheets are due no later than Thursday, at 8:00 a.m.
Students occasionally forget to either sign in or out for a shift. If you have forgotten, contact your supervisor as soon as possible. Your supervisor will write in and initial your missing arrival or departure time. Your must also initial this change. Your supervisor will only be able to write in time that he/she can personally attest to that you were at work.
If you forget to both sign in and sign out for a given shift, you WILL NOT BE PAID for that shift. Exceptions to this policy are made when your supervisor is required to project your hours in advance. Your supervisor will calculate the time indicated on your time sheet each week and round it to the nearest tenth of an hour.
The Administrative Office WILL NOT submit your time sheet for payment unless it is SIGNED BY YOU. If your time sheet is turned in late to the Administrative Office, you will not be paid until the next pay period.
VISITORS
Students are not permitted to receive visitors during working hours. Please discourage your friends from phoning or visiting when you are working.
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Last updated 9/19/00.