Standard policy for hiring substitute librarians

What's a good policy for hiring substitute librarians and should such a policy include feedback to those substitutes after they are hired?

Jeni

public-libraries

Comments

wdenton: Can you define "substitute librarian"?
Jeni: A "substitute librarian" is a librarian who temporarily replaces a librarian who is out ill, at a conference, on maternity leave, etc. Most libraries have a list of people available for substituting - these people have been hired in some way to be substitutes.
Jeni: I realize this is close to a 'discussion' type question, but I think a specific policy would be a useful answer. As both a regular employee who received feedback as a matter of policy and a substitute, who didn't - I'd like to see if there is a better method for substitutes that a library could adopt.

Answer by Mary Jo Finch

Our library does not review substitutes as a matter of policy, and in fact we do not review employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week unless they ask for a review. We would definitely be prepared to review a substitute if it was requested - it's not in our policy but I would not have a problem adding it. The difficulty in reviewing subs is that their duties are limited to a small range of tasks, and they are not closely monitored. It would require an adaptation to the evaluation form we use for regular employees.

I will also add that I would be impressed with a substitute who asked for a review. If you are subbing for a library that does not offer it per policy, you should not be afraid to ask. Feedback is an important part of professional growth. I am now a Library Director, and I sent out review forms this month for staff to review me (sent anonymously to the board, who will filter the information to me) - you can't fix what you don't know you are doing wrong, and it is always nice to know what things people think you do well.