Pages vs. pages

Remember back in January when I hired a Page? It’s going pretty good, and she’ll have enough time and experience under her belt when we begin Summer Reading the first week in June. In the event that you’re also in a small library and you’ve never had/hired a Page and you’re going to, some tips I’d pass along as I learn through this, my first, Page hire:

• Have a list of jobs that need to be done daily, i.e. shelf read the DVDs, shelf read the Board Books (the areas that see the most traffic/get things put back in the wrong order the most)
• Have a list pertinent to their particular shift (opening, middle of the day, closing), activities, i.e. turn off computers, and check restrooms
• Make sure when you hire them, their job descriptions includes things like, “small cleaning tasks as they arise,” or “will assist in preparation of Childrens/Teens/Adult programs.” Especially as we creep closer to Summer Reading our Page will be cutting out and preparing more items for our littlest patrons
• Do regular check-ins or evaluations. I okayed with the Board 1, 3,6, and 9 month evaluations (everyone else just has a yearly evaluation) for our Page’s first year, so we keep checking in to make sure A. we’re on the same page (yes, pun intended) and B. make sure that Page feels supported in their position
• It’s easy to go over changes in policy, etc. with your staff that works the most, so make sure you don’t forget to go over pertinent information with your Page too