Library Services Student Assistant Guide

Short-Term Illness/Absences

Student Assistants are responsible for locating a substitute no less than one hour before their shift begins. Coverage can be found by emailing the department's Google Group (libraryservices@lemoyne.edu) and stating the date and time of the shift. The first person who replies saying they can take the shift gets it. It is the responsibility of the student who was originally scheduled for the shift to inform the department that the shift has been taken by sending another email to the department's Google Group (libraryservices@lemoyne.edu) and listing the name of the person who is taking the shift. That email has two purposes. It lets the student staff know that the shift has been taken so others don't offer to take a shift that has already been filled and it let's the supervisors know so they can make the change to the Access Services calendar.

The substitute then becomes responsible for that scheduled time slot, and if unable to work must, in turn, find another substitute and notify the appropriate parties.

If a substitute can not be found after making a serious effort, please get in contact with the department supervisors by emailing libraryservicessupervisors@lemoyne.edu and informing them of the coverage issue. Please note that, whenever possible, this should be done at least a day in advance so there is adequate time to find coverage or make the necessary arrangements. 

If you are unable to work a shift due to a true emergency, you will need to call the Library Services Desk at 445-4330 and ask to speak with the shift supervisor. The supervisor then becomes responsible for finding coverage and will take care of sending the email to the department's Google Group (libraryservices@lemoyne.edu). In the event that there is no shift supervisor scheduled at that time, the student worker who answers the phone is then responsible for sending the coverage email to the department's Google Group (libraryservices@lemoyne.edu). 

If a student is unexpectedly working alone after the last Supervisor shift, that student should call Security at x4444, notify them of the situation, and ask for frequent walk-throughs. If a student is not comfortable working alone, the Head of Public Services should be contacted.

NOTE: If the above steps are not taken or if coverage is not found, with the exception of a true emergency, you are responsible for your scheduled hours and will be considered delinquent if you don't work the shift and will receive the applicable disciplinary action.

Long-Term Illness/Absences

In the event that Student Assistants experience an illness of long-term duration (i.e., more than two weeks), or an illness that causes frequent and unexpected absences, the supervisor will evaluate the situation and select one of the following courses of action based on the needs of the library and circumstances specific to the illness:

• if possible and available, assign other Student Assistant(s) to fulfill the work schedule requirements of the Student Assistant who is ill until the Student Assistant can return to work; or
• hire a temporary Student Assistant to fulfill the work schedule requirements of the regular Student Assistant who is ill until the Student Assistant can return to work; or
• permanently hire another Student Assistant and terminate employment of the Student Assistant who is ill/absent.

Under no circumstances does the library guarantee continued employment for Student Assistants. Supervisors will make every effort to retain positions for which Student Assistants are hired or reassign Student Assistants to other positions and/or departments if/when long-term illness(es) and/or frequent, unexpected long-term absence(s) occur. However, neither supervisors nor the library in general are under any obligation to make such arrangements.