Your Role as Library Staff

student employment

Preservation

By handling books, journals, and film with concern, you are actively preserving the Libraries collections.

  • Use proper shelving and handling techniques.
  • Handle materials correctly at the photocopy machines.
  • Do not eat or drink when working with library materials.
  • Refer damaged material for proper repair.
  • Do not use metal clips, rubber bands or Post-its improperly

You can further assist the preservation effort by being aware of conditions that are damaging to the library materials and by helping to educate library users.

  • Help enforce the "No Food" policy.
  • Learn to identify materials in need of repair or conservation treatment.
  • Report potential disaster situations.
  • Be aware of environmental conditions.
  • Help educate users in what they can do to help preserve library materials

 

Disaster Response and Recovery Plan

Water
Use caution when entering an area that may be wet. Wiring may pose a danger of shock.
When a water leak is found in any collection area:

  • Notify the Circulation Department (552-8038) and ask for the Supervisor on duty.
    Describe the location and nature of the water emergency.
Before Buildings and Grounds arrives and stops the source of the water:
  • If the ceiling is leaking, cover the affected area with plastic sheeting.
  • If the floor is flooding, remove material from the lowest shelves.

Fire
When smoke or flames are found in the library:

  • Pull the nearest fire alarm and evacuate from the building.
  • Do not attempt to extinguish the fire.

On return to the building:

  • The Circulation Supervisor on duty will report damage to the appropriate departments.

Mold
When mold on library materials is suspected:

  • Notify the Circulation Department and ask for the Supervisor on duty.
  • Place item(s) in a plastic bag, secure from human contact.
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling contaminated material.

NOTE: Branch libraries will follow the same procedures, but will notify the heads of their libraries.

 

Statement on Confidentiality

The Boston College Library System formally recognizes that:

All records identifying the names or ID numbers of library patrons are confidential.

Confidentiality of patron records requires that such records should be consulted by Library employees only for legitimate purposes such as locating or recalling library materials, processing overdue notices and fines, adding or deleting names from special user lists, and making collection development decisions.

Patron records are not to be revealed to anyone other than the patron in question without either the express written permission of the patron in question, or the adherence to proper legal and University procedures regarding access to such information.

Library staff are encouraged not to keep records with personally identifiable information, unless that information is necessary. And they are to destroy such records as soon as possible.

To support the above policies, the Boston College Library System has formally adopted procedures for implementing this Policy on Confidentiality of Libary Records.

 

Copyright Statement

The Boston College Libraries abide by the United States Regulations on Copyright. For more information on how these regulations affect your job, consult your supervisor.

To become more acquainted with information on copyright, use links below.