Clearinghouse of Professional Information

Human Resources

This section includes selected links to Human Resources information. Further information can also be found in the Library Administration Resources and Planning Resources sections.
SOLS services include the CEO Search Service initiative. For further information on CEO Search Service contact Daryl Novak, Director Operations. He can be reached by telephone at 1-800-387-5765, extension 5117 or by email at

OLS - North provides general advice on human resources issues through its consulting service. In addition, OLS - North staff will assist library boards in the search process by providing information and advice. For assistance please contact Leanne Clendening, CEO, OLS-N by phone or e-mail at .

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Topics include

Cited links and resources are of interest to libraries looking for help in the human resources area of library administration.

General Resources | Career Planning | CEO Selection | Competencies | Dress Codes | Ergonomics | Health and Safety | Job Descriptions | Job Interviews | Job Postings and Job Search | Legislation of Interest to Public Libraries in Ontario | Managing Change | Performance Reviews | Personnel Policies | Recruitment |  Students | Termination | Training Resources for Librarians | Salaries | Volunteer Management | Working Alone | Youth Employment Grants

 

	indicates an item written by SOLS staff		indicates an item written by OLS-North staff
Clicking on certain topics will open a new window, if the link is to a topic included in an other Clearinghouse page

General Resources

A list of general resources to use as a starting point for research.

• Coaching for Service and Success (September 2003)   Prepared by Beth Cada for SOLS. This guide is intended to coach CEOs and library supervisors through the performance appraisal process. It is not meant to be a template, but describes and outlines an approach to performance appraisal. It introduces best practices and manageable strategies for improving employee performance, and fostering a strong service commitment.
• Employment Standards (Ontario Ministry of Labour)
• Free Downloadable Business Forms (Office Depot Online) an unlikely spot for an amazing resource including all kinds of human resources forms, work safety forms, business forms Note: this is American so some forms may not apply.
• The Future of Human Resources in Canadian Libraries. Canadian Library Human Resource Study, 2005, 288p. (pdf) (University of Alberta. The 8Rs Research Team) and Notes on the 8Rs Report prepared for the Provincial & Territorial Library Directories Council - Aug 2005 . 6p.
• HR Management Standards   (HR Council for the Nonprofit Sector)   The HR Council's HR Management Standards are designed to support board members, managers and employees in the development and implementation of effective HR policies and practices for nonprofit organizations. Organizations can use these Standards to: examine and evaluate their current HR policies and practices, determine where there is room for improvement, and learn how the Standards and a range of related resources can be used to improve HR policies and practices.
• Human Resources Management Toolkits (Cultural Careers Council of Ontario and the Cultural Human Resources Council)  These kits are on such topics as: Recruiting, Job Descriptions, Coaching and Mentoring, Dealing with Conflict, Managing Employee Performance, Terminations, Benefits and Retirement Plans, Best Practices.
• OMERS Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System
• Strategic Hiring: A Guide to Staff Recruitment  (SOLS Library Development Guide # 1) While the Guide is written primarily for the CEO's of small and medium sized libraries, it is intended to be used by staff in all sizes and types of libraries as they deal with the staff recruitment process. The Appendix Resources section contains sample job descriptions
• Tip Sheets and Templates (Cultural Careers Council Ontario)

Career Planning

• Canadian Library Association Library Careers   

Competencies 

• Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries.   ALSC. 2009
• Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth; young adults deserve the best (.pdf) (YALSA/ALA)
• Core Competencies for Libraries in the Alliance Library System. Illinois.  These competencies focus on computer and technology understanding.  Core I competencies are recommended for all library staff and Core II competencies for employees with greater responsibilities.
• Core Competencies for Libraries in the Alliance Library System. Illinois.  These competencies focus on computer and technology understanding.  Core I competencies are recommended for all library staff and Core II competencies for employees with greater responsibilities.
• A Competency Index for the Library Field (Web Junction) The purpose of this compilation of competency statements for library practice is to help libraries of all sizes and types build the foundation of competencies that will help them to develop staff skills and knowledge and ultimately to help meet the needs of the community.
• Library Support Staff Certification – Competency Sets.  American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA)   Ten competency sets that standardize expectations for library support staff and help employers articulate job requirements
• Ohio Public Library Core Competencies.  Revised 2008. Ohio Library Council Competencies are provided in two formats -- a complete set as a PDF file that can be copied and individual competency sets as Word documents that can be downloaded and customized for your unique library situation.
• Professional Competencies for Reference & User Services Librarians. RUSA 2003
• Public Access Computing Technology Competencies, April 2007 (.pdf)- Defining competencies for supporting public access computers is the first step identifying skills gaps and planning for staff training.  These competencies are divided into two sections: Patron Assistance and  System Administration.

Dress Codes

• Casual Dress Code (Business Research Lab). Gives examples of how to define "business casual" and implement the concept into a dress code
• Dealing with Dress Codes by Raymond Neal posted on the University of South Carolina, School of Library and Information Science site) Includes a print bibliography
• Dress Code Legal Issues (US) Written by Robin Thomas, Managing Editor at Personnel Policy Service, Inc. Copyright © 2003.  Useful general discussion on the issues. Gives "Common Sense Tips for Drafting and Enforcing Your Dress Code"
• Innisfil Public Library. Dress Code Policy (.pdf)
• SOLS Dress Code Policy

Ergonomics 

• Cornell University Ergonomics Web Information on ways to improve usability, comfort, performance and health, through the ergonomic design of hardware, software, and workplaces.
• Ergonomic Design Guidelines for Libraries (ESAO)
• Troubles musculo-squelettiques et bureautique : suivi de l'impact des modifications du mobilier de bureau sur la posture et la sollicitation musculaire du membre supérieur.  IRSST, 2008

Health and Safety

• CCOHS. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Promotes a safe and healthy working environment by providing information and advice about occupational health and safety.  View sample pages from a Health and Safety Guide for Libraries  a comprehensive source of information for library and information centre workers and features easy-to-understand pictures, charts and diagrams depicting workplace hazards common to libraries.
• Fact Sheets on Crisis Management (Non-Profit risk Management Center) 10 free fact sheets on the topic of crisis management.
• Public Services Health and Safety Assocation. Newly redesigned website. (Formerly ESAO and others)

Job Descriptions

• Library Job Descriptions. Main State Library
• National Occupational Classification 2001   (Human Resources Canada) The NOC 2006 Web site contains the classification structure and descriptions of 520 occupational unit groups and includes over 30,000 occupational titles. It also features an intuitive search engine to help you find the information you need. The codes for library positions are: 0511 ceo's of libraries; 1213 supervisors of clerical staff; 1451 clerical staff; 5211 library technicians
• Sample Job Description: Community Relations Management Ohio Library Council
• Strategic Hiring: A Guide to Staff Recruitment (.pdf) - (SOLS Library Development Guide # 1) While the Guide is written primarily for the CEO's of small and medium sized libraries, it is intended to be used by staff in all sizes and types of libraries as they deal with the staff recruitment process. The Appendix Resources section contains sample job descriptions

Job Interviews

• Frequently Asked Interview Questions (Univ. of South Carolina. School of Library and Information Science)
• Job Interview Questions List for Employers (Integrity Training Institute)

Job Postings and Job Search

To submit library job postings to various web sites: 

• CLA Job Search  (Canadian Library Association)  Placing an ad
• FIMS Job Web  (University of Western Ontario. Faculty of Information and Media Studies) The JobWeb lists professional job postings and employment resources in the fields of journalism and library and information science. All postings listed are sent directly to FIMS by employers.
• How to submit a job posting
• FLA Job Line. (Foothills Library Association) Jobs in  the Prairies, B.C. and the North 
• Job Site (University of Toronto, Faculty of Information Studies)   Provides a form to place your ad (free of charge) 
• The Networked Librarian: Job Search Guides (US)
• OLSLIB-L listserv.  Ad can be posted free of charge on this listserv for Ontario Library Services libraries

Managing Change

• Managing Transitions by William Bridges (.pdf)

Performance Reviews

• Coaching for Service and Success (September 2003)   Prepared by Beth Cada for SOLS. This guide is intended to coach CEOs and library supervisors through the performance appraisal process. It is not meant to be a template, but describes and outlines an approach to performance appraisal. It introduces best practices and manageable strategies for improving employee performance, and fostering a strong service commitment.
• Employee Performance Management (Free Management Library)
• Making the Grade: The Elements of an Effective Performance Appraisal.      ALA-APA Library Worklife June 2010. In order for a performance appraisal to be a useful, effective and positive experience, six basic elements must be present

Personnel Policies

• HR Policies & Employment Legislation  (HR Council for the Non-Profit Sector) Introductions to  37 human resources policy topics. These introductions will give you things to think about when developing a policy on each topic. You will also find samples for each topic. They are real samples collected from non-profit/ voluntary sector organizations across Canada.
• Sample Policies (By Topics) Selected by SOLS
• Trillium Public Library - Sample Policies (Library Development Guide # 4.)  Part 3: Human Resources and Fundraising, 47 pages (.pdf)

Recruitment

• CAP Youth Initiatives, Ontario  (Industry Canada)
• Recruiting the Right People (.pdf) (Cultural Careers Council Ontario) 26 pages - Samples interview questions etc
• Strategic Hiring: A Guide to Staff Recruitment (SOLS Library Development Guide # 1) While the Strategic Hiring Guide is written primarily for the CEO's of small and medium sized libraries, it is intended to be used by staff in all sizes and types of libraries as they deal with the staff recruitment process. The Appendix Resources section contains sample job descriptions.

Salaries

• Chief Executive Officer Salary Survey Report 2008. Prepared by Miriam Irwin for SOLS.
• Pay Equity for Libraries (SOLS Workshop by thePay Equity Commission) (Fall 2007). Resources
  
  • Notes on the Discussion with PEC responses (.doc)
  • Presentation by Lise Lubera (.ppt)
  • Pay Equity Act  (Office consolidation)
  • Pay Equity Commission.

Students

• Code of Conduct for Ontario Schools. Ontario Ministry of Education. This could be helpful in drafting policies for student volunteers endeavouring to fulfill the Ministry of Education's 40 hours requirement.
• Secondary School Students Volunteer Commitment Guidelines. Hamilton Public Library.
• Student Placement  Education Safety Association of Ontario.  Useful resource manual for any size of library. 

Termination

• The ins and outs of wrongful dismissal for charities and nonprofits (Canadian Fundraiser e-news) The dismissal of an employee is never an easy or pleasant task. However, in these difficult economic times, the dismissal of an employee may be necessary to maintain the economic viability of your organization. The purpose of this article is to set out the legal requirements for dismissing an employee and the risks and costs associated with a wrongful dismissal claim, as well as providing some guidance on how to decrease the risk of facing a wrongful dismissal claim by a former employee.

Working alone

• Working Alone - General FAQ (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Ssfety)
• Working Alone Resource Book. Education Safety Association of Ontario.
• Working Alone Safely. A Guide for Employers and Employees. Alberta Human Resources and Employment. Includes in appendices a number of checklists for employees doing different tasks.