Student employees for periodicals collections (B. Sanders) Birdie MacLennan 08 Apr 1994 16:20 UTC

Date:         Fri, 8 Apr 1994 09:31:05 EST
From:         "Bridgette T. Sanders" <ali00bmt@UNCCVM.UNCC.EDU>

Our library subscribes to approximately 3800 periodicals titles.  They are
Library of Congress classified and arranged.  All formats (bound volumes,
current issues, microfiche/film) are housed in a central Periodicals
Services area (microformats are not intershelved with volumes/issues, but
are in call number order in their respective cabinets).  Copiers for all
formats are also located within the secured area to which periodical use is
restricted.  Shelving and maintenance of all formats is done by student
employees (supervised by full time staff).  New indexing technologies have
greatly increased the use and maintenance needs of the periodicals
collection.

I am interested in hearing about effective methods of utilizing student
employees for maintenance, especially of a periodicals collection.  How are
responsibilities assigned?  Hours of work?  Has anyone tried teams and do
they work?  How do you train students to shelve?  Do they do other
activities?  How do you motivate students, especially when their own
classwork piles up?  We are in an area where off campus competition is keen
for student help, and we are definitely not the best paying employer.  Any
ideas for incentives?

Any additional information would be appreciated.  I will be glad to
summarize any responses if others are interested.  Thanks in advance.

Bridgette Sanders
Periodicals Services Librarian
J. Murrey Atkins Library
UNC-Charlotte
Charlotte, NC 28223
ali00bmt@unccvm.uncc.edu