Have you worked in a library system where procedures and best practices weren\u2019t written down? Have you worked in an environment where the organizational and institutional knowledge was in different employees\u2019 heads, but nowhere on paper?<\/p>\n
Putting things (procedures, best practices, responses to common questions, etc.) in writing is an important step to becoming a transparent and accountable organization. In an ideal situation, you will be part of a workforce that understands how a library functions, knows where supplies are, displays exemplary behavior, produces high quality programs and events. What happens when a person is hired \u2014 and there\u2019s no training plan or written documentation to help them become acclimated to how the library operates? What happens when expectations aren\u2019t in writing, and you need to correct poor choices and behavioral issues? What about retirement and having a succession plan?<\/p>\n
In Youth Services, do you have a storytime outline or template that you use to train new storytime planners and presenters? Do you have anything in writing about how (and when) to book performers or special guests? Having documentation specifically for how things are done in your library is very useful for you as a manager, and your employees (both current and prospective). It is a great way to allow staff members to contribute and improve the day-to-day tasks in the library, as well as allow some input for how the library operations might be improved.<\/p>\n
In certain situations, you might not be able to create policies without the approval of your stakeholders (library board and\/or City Council), but you can instead focus on creating best practices and start putting in writing what has worked (and not worked so well) in your library. If the idea of writing a large document is overwhelming, start with small things and go slowly. Producing documentation doesn\u2019t have to be done overnight, and there\u2019s no reason to try to do it all by yourself. There are writers in your library \u2014 use the existing expertise that you have in your staff.<\/p>\n
Documentation and putting things in writing helps take you and your library to the next step. What have you put in writing already?<\/p>\n