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Library Assistants and Student Workers: Welcome Desk

Library Policies, Procedures, and Training

FERPA and Preventing Sexual Harassment

Tech Team

Beth McCaul, Cataloger x8557

Jules Chung, Serials x8557

Katerina "KP" Pak, Aquisitions x8557

Kelly Deeny, Interlibrary Loans x8557

Checklist

Starting your shift

  • Open Desk Tracker & Login
  • Bring up the LibGuide (https://bucks.libguides.com/CirculationDesk)
  • Call your backup to let them know you’ve arrived (see the schedule if you don't know who this is)

General Information

Types of questions to answer: 

  1. Directional (directions, where are printers, hours, etc? Answer if you know, direct patron appropriately if you don’t)
  2. Personal information (be careful! you can’t give a student’s information out, even to their parents — check the FERPA page on the LibGuide)
  3. Technology questions: if basic computer use questions, send to Help Desk or call; if media, send to Media Lab if unsure ask one of those)
  4. Reference/research questions (SEND TO THE LIBRARIAN, do NOT try to answer) 

Look up once in a while: if you are completely absorbed in your work all the time, you are sending the message you don’t want to be disturbed. Developing the habit of looking up for folks with questions is a critical practice for being welcoming. 

Greet Library patrons as they come in and see if they need help.

Put up the sign when you leave. 

Students seated at the Welcome Desk are advised to allow the phone to ring through to the Reference Desk.  

This is a job: your friends CANNOT hang out at the reference desk or others will not feel welcome to ask a question. You can do your homework if it’s not busy, but your first priority is to make patrons feel welcome to ask questions and get help. 

If you aren’t busy

  • Do a sweep of the first and second floors
  • Push in chairs