A recent posting on the OZTL-NET forum focused on what to include in a Library Procedures Handbook and I decided to respond to the posting.
During my work at Waverley College in 2015-2016, the library team drafted a Library Procedures Handbook with procedures to guide library staff in the management of the library collections, spaces, catalogue (including how to add new items and undertake a stocktake), communications, programs and initatives.
In 2018, while filling in for Carolyn Mock at Strathfield Girls' High School, I also had access to her manual that she created for her library. Carolyn also made the decision that year to share it through a NSW Public School Teacher Librarian Messageboard (Independent of the NSW Department of Education) and is popular with Teacher Librarians.
I suggested to Teacher Librarians in my posting based on what I had experienced to consider the following if creating a handbook:
- Your existing library policies if already prepared (otherwise create them)
- Procedures for ordering new items e.g. what steps are needed to purchase a new library book through the school
- How to catalogue items using the Library Management System e.g. OLIVER including screenshots.
- Stocktake procedures
- Opening and Closing the library each day
- Overview of library collections
- Procedures for organising specific library programs and activities e.g. NSW Premier's Reading Challenge
- How to book library spaces and manage them.
- How to operate library equipment
- Copies of forms e.g. Permission form to borrow from the senior fiction collection
