-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Fwd: Re: MAPS-L Digest - 17 Apr 2007 to 20 Apr 2007 (#2007-62)]
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2007 10:38:11 -0400
From: Joel Kovarsky <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Having been involved in this on the student side, and since my degree is
being completed via distance education, I would agree that these
policies may need to be formulated on an individual institutional basis
as one moves along. I am also aware of other (map) library volunteers
who are not in a degree program, some of whom have long established
connections with individual libraries. With respect to documentation
for students, there are a number of ways to format the process. UTK's
School of Information Sciences has a fully developed set of forms it
uses for practicum experiences for students. These involve the initial
proposal and approval, supervisor midterm and end-term evaluations, and
a final written evaluation by the student. In this case, these are
pass/fail classes only. I would also assert that some degree of
independence needs to be fostered. RBMS has some general security
guidelines, which may variably fit the needs of individual institutions:
http://www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlstandards/securityrarebooks.htm . One of
the statements therein:
"An atmosphere of trust and concern for the collections is probably
the best guarantee against theft by staff. Nevertheless, close and
equitable supervision is essential. The staff, including students
and volunteers, should be chosen carefully, using any avenues
available in making the decision for hiring. Careful personnel
management is an ongoing necessity. A weak point in maintaining a
security system is disgruntled staff who may seek retribution
through theft, destruction, or willful mishandling of collections."
Many are already aware of these. The National Library of Australia
actually posts some of their volunteer policy development considerations
online (http://www.nla.gov.au/volun/policy.html), and I have run across
a number of others.
Joel Kovarsky
Automatic digest processor wrote:
> Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 07:57:41 -0500
> From: Maps-L <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: : Academic Library volunteer policy
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: : Academic Library volunteer policy
> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:03:58 -0700
> From: Mary Larsgaard <[log in to unmask]>
> Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
> Organization: UCSB Map & Imagery Lab, Library
> To: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
> So far, volunteers have been persons
> working on MLS's who are looking
> for an internship. Library policy is
> that there must be a formal job description
> for any person working in the library,
> whether it's for pay or not;
> an important part of this is
> that should the person be
> injured on the job, workmen's
> compensation will cover them.
>
> So I talk with the person about
> what would teach them what they
> need to learn, at the same time
> that the map library gets some
> work - that is too complicated
> for most student assistants to take on,
> but just right for a person who has
> taken some library science classes -
> and then write up the job description,
> of course sending the person a draft
> first to make sure that the intern
> and I are each clear on what's to be done.
> Then the intern and I sign off on
> the job description; original goes
> to library personnel, and the intern
> and my department's personnel
> files each get a photocopy.
>
> Mary
>
>
--
Joel Kovarsky
The Prime Meridian: Antique Maps & Books
1839 Clay Drive, Crozet, VA 22932 USA
Phone: (+1) 434-823-5696; Email: [log in to unmask]
Website: <http://www.theprimemeridian.com>
Member, International Antiquarian Mapsellers Association
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