Guideline UL-ADG15 Reduced Staffing Procedures – Pattee and Paterno Libraries, University Park Campus

Main Policy Content

Contents:

  • Purpose
  • Introduction
  • Service restricted to First Floor/Overnight Service model
  • Full Building Service model

PURPOSE:

The following outlines staff procedures for continuing to provide limited library services during a short-term emergency or weather-related campus closure or delayed opening. These models may also be appropriate for library service during winter breaks and other holidays.

In the event of a long-term (typically, in excess of 24 hours) emergency, staff and faculty should consult unit and library Continuity plans.

Generally, when the University is closed due to weather, the library will also close, per HR Guideline UL-HRG09 Guideline for University Park Weather-Related/Emergency Campus Closures and Delays – Library Response. 

INTRODUCTION:

At times, the library may wish to provide some services during an emergency, weather-related campus closure, or holiday. Pattee/Paterno library may staff under a first floor/overnight service or a full-building service model. These models include library services only and exclude services provided by external partners (ITS Helpdesk, ITS Lab Consultants, Media Commons, etc.).

Library full-time faculty and staff are not designated essential university personnel and cannot be required to report to work during a campus closure. The staffing models below presume that at least one or more full-time staff or faculty will volunteer to report to work to coordinate staff and services on site. 

The decision to remain open or re-open during a campus closure will be made by library administration in consultation with the department heads and managers of the units identified below.

First Floor/Overnight Service (requires 5 staff)

Areas/Services Available: Ground floor, West Pattee (News and Microforms Library and West entrance), Knowledge Commons, Commons Services desk, Sidewater Commons, Curtin Road and Mall entrances)

Units Involved: Access Services, Knowledge Commons (incl. Welcome Desks)

Staffing:

  • Curtin Road Entrance – 1
  • Mall Entrance – 1
  • West Entrance – 1
  • Knowledge Commons – 1
  • Commons Services – 2

Contingency: Mall entrance may remain unstaffed if necessary.

This model is typically followed during a campus delayed opening (see HR Guideline UL-HRG00x Guideline for University Park Weather-Related/Emergency Campus Closures and Delays – Library Response) as it is already established. In that case, Access Services is primarily responsible for staffing all first floor service points.

Full Building Service (requires 9 staff)

Areas/Services Available: All public spaces (except Special Collections)

Units Involved: Access Services, Knowledge Commons (incl. Welcome Desks), Music and Media Center, Reference and Research

Staffing:

  • Curtin Road Entrance – 1
  • Mall Entrance – 1
  • West Entrance – 1
  • Knowledge Commons – 1
  • Commons Services – 2
  • Paterno Library – 2
  • Music and Media Center – 1
  • Maps Library – 1

Contingency: Mall entrance may remain unstaffed if necessary.

This model may be followed if the library wishes to remain open or reopen during an announced campus closure or holiday when the first floor model is not applicable or deemed too restrictive. 

Effective Date: March 22, 2016
Date Approved: March 22, 2016 (Library Management Council)

Revision History (and effective dates):

  • March 22, 2016 -- New guideline

Last Review Date: