(last updated August 8, 2011)
We depend heavily on student assistants in this department. Your work is important; when you're not here, it makes it very difficult to get our daily work done. Consistent attendance, promptness of arrival, job performance satisfactory to your supervisors, helpfulness, and courtesy are all qualifications required of all student employees. You are expected to work the number of hours for which you are scheduled each week, to arrive on time and work your entire shift, and to let us know well in advance if you can't work your scheduled shift.
Hours are generally available from 9-5, Monday through Friday.
If you can't make a shift due to illness or an unavoidable scheduling conflict, please notify your supervisor:
Government Documents
Maureen O'Donnell meo@mit.edu 3-7057
Monograph Acquisitions and Gifts
Garry Ziegler tilleul@mit.edu 3-0740Charlene Follett cfollett@mit.edu 8-5427
Serials Acquisitions
Kim Maxwell kmaxwell@mit.edu 3-7028
If you are calling on the day you will be out, it is very important that you speak to a live person about your absence. Please don't rely solely on messages, either voice or email, to let us know you won't be here. If your supervisor isn't available, please call Michelle Miller at 3-6736; someone will always answer that phone number and get a message to the appropriate person.
In accepting a position in The Libraries, you have committed yourself to working for the entire semester. We do understand that certain times during the semester can be more hectic than others, particularly during midterms and finals. If you feel you will not be able to work during these times, or any other extended period of time, please discuss this with your supervisor well in advance. If you aren't going to be here for a few days or more, we need to make other arrangements to accomplish the work you normally do.
We want to promote a comfortable, friendly work environment in the office for everyone. However, given the physical constraints of 14E-210, engaging in excessive personal conversations, or in loud conversation of any kind, is disruptive. Therefore, please keep voices low, restrict conversation to people sitting next to you, and try to be sensitive to others. Also, please refrain from wearing strong perfume while at work. Several people have allergies, and the flow of air in the room can exacerbate their conditions.
The phones in 14E-210 exist for carrying out the business of the MIT Libraries. While scheduling constraints on full-time staff members mean that they will sometimes use the phones for personal calls, student staff are expected to make their calls elsewhere, except in an emergency or with permission from a supervisor. Under no circumstances should a student's personal phone line be transferred to one in 14E-210. The staff should not be expected to field incoming calls for students, except in an emergency.
During your assigned work time, students are expected to limit their use of the department's computers, photocopier, and fax machine to assigned tasks, not for personal reasons. Students should not take advantage of the multitasking capabilities of Windows to read personal email, play games, or explore the Internet while carrying out library work, even if it does not seem to slow that work down. Personal use of a these machines may be permitted on your own time if they are not needed by another staff member and permission is granted by your supervisor.
Headphones, radios, and other kinds of entertainment equipment are permissible only in certain circumstances. Headphones can have the effect of isolating the listener from the rest of work environment, making effective work relations difficult. While this is the kind of situation we wish to avoid, we do recognize that there are some tasks where listening to music might actually help the work go faster. Please check with your supervisor first. Radios without headphones are never permissible.
We rely heavily on you to complete your assigned tasks during your shifts. Studying during assigned work hours is not permitted. If you would like to use the department's computer to check email or work on other assignments on your own time, please check with your supervisor. In most circumstances, this shouldn't present any problems as long as the computer is not needed for other workers.
Hours in excess of forty (40) in a given pay week are classified as "premium" hours and must be paid at 11/2 times the regular rate. You may not work more than 40 hours per week on any one job or any combination of on-campus jobs unless authorization is obtained from the supervisor in whose department the overtime will be worked.
We have the option of giving raises to those students who display excellent job performance. Remember that good work gets noticed and rewarded accordingly.
At the end of each semester, we have the option to rehire or not hire you for the next semester, including the summer. Top priority in rehire decisions will be given to those students who are dependable and display good job performance.
When you were hired, you signed a Student Personnel Action Form agreeing to give the Libraries two weeks notice if you decide to resign. This is standard practice for most jobs, and also gives us time to hire a replacement for you.
Over the years, we have provided recommendations for student staff to future employers, scholarship boards, and the FBI for security clearances. We are happy to give such recommendations, so please be aware that your performance here will affect the recommendation that we can honestly give.
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak with your supervisor.