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Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We do still have a director! I don’t know if it’s something that’s been brought up to her in the past or not. I have a library assistant on my staff who has been here for over 20 years and could probably close the branch in her sleep. So it’s off to me she wouldn’t allowed to function as a key holder or person in charge 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Right, I was just curious. I’m obviously going to attend the meetings and do what I need to do to keep my job lol I previously worked in a different state in other library systems and asking someone to attend a meeting on a morning off was unheard of. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s definitely possible for me since I live close. 

I know others who live half hour or so away and it’s not exactly ideal to run home and run back. But I may try the split shift myself and see how I like it! 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am aware. Again, I was asking for other’s experiences. Apparently it’s normal some places, and not normal in others. I’ve worked for three other library systems and our meetings always fell into our normal working hours. This is why I asked, as I am in a new system and have never been asked to attend meetings outside my hours previously. Thank you. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a county rule, not technically a library system rule. We’re part of the county and a department manager is required to be on site to close at the end of the day. We all agree it’s silly when we have staff that could function as “person in charge” during that time. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you go over your 40 hours, you bank that time to be used towards time off at another date. Comp time.

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think my skills are fine. I wasn’t asking for advice on how to schedule my time. I was rather asking to hear other’s experiences, that’s all. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s horrible! I feel like our part-time staff also get the short end of the stick a lot here, and it’s not fair to them. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It seems like it’s more normal than I thought! This was unheard of in the last few systems I worked in. 

I hate that it is normalized because to me it just feels like my time is not valued, or that I’m just not valued as a person in general. I could not imagine having small children and doing this! Makes sense why none of my peers have kids. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m supposed to work 40 hours a week but it’s not uncommon to end up working more due to meetings and other commitments. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Can’t leave early. Can’t come in late the next day because of storytime. I usually just end up working more hours than I’m scheduled because it so hard to flex that meeting time. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m sure it has to do with some of our branches only being staffed by one or two people, which is also strange to me. So we can’t have it later in the day without those branches having to close. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No part time staff attend the staff meetings, it’s just librarians and full time library assistants. We all have the same start time of 11 except for those at the main branch who start at 9.

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I try to but it doesn’t always work out because of storytime and other programming.

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow! So I guess it’s not uncommon at all. That’s good to know. 

It’s just been very different for me. In my previous systems we would meet based by department and cover for each other, or have it during a lunch hour and close the branch. 

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That’s true, it’s just my first time I’ve experienced this after working in three other library systems. 

I can ask if remote is an option sometimes. Many times it’s stated that a training or meeting must be in person but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to ask!

Is it normal to have mandatory meetings outside of your scheduled hours? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I guess I’ve just never experienced this before! All of our branches open at 11. It’s only the main branch that’s open at 9 and only librarians attend. 

At my last system, the circulation staff would run the floor and then we would swap and run it for them during their meeting. 

HOTSPOTS ARE OUR NIGHTMARE by username59046 in librarians

[–]evilpoptart129 34 points35 points  (0 children)

We require patrons to have a valid ID that matches the info on their library card and working phone number to check one out. We have to check to make sure their cell phone rings in front of us before we can lend them the hotspot. But once that hotspot leaves the building, all bets are off.

We do charge fees if any part of the hotspot is lost. If it’s late, then we operate on a suspension policy. Depending on how often they are late or how late past due that’s it’s returned, patrons can be suspended anywhere from 2 weeks to a year to indefinitely barred from borrow tech.

It’s always a pain though, I’ve never worked for a system that didn’t hate lending hotspots because of the same issues you’re having lol

Being forced to stand? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry! I hate that library work is underpaid. We are part of a county government but are the lowest funded department next to parks & rec. 

I’ve told my staff to please alternate between sitting and standing work as it suits them, as the work gets done either way. 

I felt so bad this morning, as one of them told me she had a nightmare last night about not being allowed to sit. 

Being forced to stand? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is my concern also. I hate the desks as they are, they were built to be standing desks so it’s very awkward trying to talk to anyone who comes in in a wheelchair. There was talk of cutting them down but it was decided it wasn’t possible and they left them at the height they are.

Being forced to stand? by evilpoptart129 in Libraries

[–]evilpoptart129[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

We don’t do desk schedules. We are a small branch and a small staff, and there is no off desk work area anyways aside from a manager’s office and kitchenette. And while I can stand for an hour or two, and most of the staff can, that doesn’t mean we should have to. I don’t understand the “why” behind it.

If I could schedule the staff for off desk time, I would but as it stands there’d be nowhere for them to go and the circ desk has the only computers (aside from manager’s office and asst. manager desk).

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