Page 100 - DLIS003_LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

Unit 5: Library Staffing

near the entrance. Library assistants often check materials out and in, collect fines and fees, Notes
answer general phone questions, issue library cards, process new library materials, and
assist with items on reserve. Library assistant jobs may be part-time or full-time.
Librarians help people with homework and research questions, decide what items to
purchase and to discard, offer programs and training, help people use the internet, build
websites, and more. Specialized librarians may run computer systems, work with seniors
and non-English speaking populations, become specialists in a specific subject area, or
maintain the records for the online catalogue. Librarian jobs are often full-time, although
most libraries also rely on a core of part-time and “substitute” librarians to help cover all
of the hours many libraries are open.
Library Managers such as department heads, branch managers, and assistant/deputy/
associate directors, and are typically middle managers responsible for the operation of
departments or other functional areas such as “all library branches.” As managers they
may be responsible for work schedules, employee evaluations, training, and managing
budgets. Branch managers, in particular, can have additional director-like responsibilities,
such as overseeing the condition of the facility or involvement in local neighbourhood
groups and projects.

Library Directors have the main leadership role in the library. Typical duties include
preparing and overseeing the budget, developing employment and service policies,
strategic planning, public and governmental relations, reporting to the governing board
or official, ensuring compliance with laws, fundraising, hiring, motivating and firing
staff, and more. Directors’ duties and compensation can vary greatly depending on the
size of the library. The director of a small rural library can literally be the only regularly
scheduled employee with a salary of $20,000 to the director of a large urban library with
hundreds of employees and a salary of $175,000.
Other Professionals can play major roles in libraries. These may include jobs such as
public relations, accounting and human resources, network administration, facilities
management, transportation services and security. Rates of pay vary widely depending
on the size of library, geographic area and skills and educational requirements.

5.6.3 Salary Scales

Salary of the employees refers to the reward or compensation given to the employees for their
work performances. Remuneration leads to employee motivation. Salaries constitute an important
source of income for employees and determine their standard of living. Salaries affect the
employee’s productivity and work performance. Thus the amount and method of remuneration
are very important for both management and employees. There are mainly two types of
Employee Remuneration: Time Rate Method and Piece Rate Method.

Notes Remuneration provides basic attraction to an employee to perform job efficiently
and effectively.

5.6.4 Training and Development

Training of employees in a library takes place after orientation takes place. Training is the
process of enhancing the skills, capabilities and knowledge of employees for doing a particular
job. Training process moulds the thinking of employees and leads to quality performance of
employees. It is continuous and never ending in nature. Employee Training and Development

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