Staff Educational Development

Posted: 5 September, 2002

Adopted: 3-19-91
Amended: 11-21-00

The Board of Trustees recognizes that a well-trained and educated staff is essential to the provision of quality library service.

Workshops, Meetings:

  1. Employees may be allowed to be absent from duty for the purpose of attending seminars and workshops, professional and business meetings, or visiting other libraries and museums. The Directors shall authorize attendance in accordance with scheduling needs and budget.

  2. Budget funds permitting, the directors may authorize actual travel expenses at a mileage rate to conform to the City of New London's mileage allowances and including reasonable expenses for meals, lodging, and other necessary expenses.

  3. Employees and Trustees are encouraged to apply for scholarship money for workshops (if available) for expenses incurred.

  4. First preference for workshop or professional meeting attendance will be given to the personnel who must maintain their minimum professional certification.

Educational Development:

  1. Staff members shall be encouraged to take appropriate college courses, vocational courses, or workshops to improve their competencies in library or museum work.

  2. Whenever possible, the Directors shall authorize changes in work schedules, providing that time is "made up" and that normal library or museum services are not disrupted.

  3. The Library and Museum budget shall include an amount, to be determined by the Board, to defray tuition and fee expenses for employees.

  4. Employees should request permission as far in advance as possible, and date of application may be considered in the decision to grant the request. Application should include a description of coursework, schedules, a list of fees, and a statement concerning the benefit to the library or museum. Primary consideration will be given by the Board to those applications which offers a direct benefit to the Library or Museum.

  5. Grants will be given only to employees with at least one year of service. The employee shall agree to return any tuition grant to the Library or Museum if he/she leaves employment within one year after course completion.

  6. The board will approve applications for any request more than $75 cost to the Library or Museum. Approval is discretionary and the Board will not be obligated to expend all budgeted funds.

  7. The Board may request an employee to enroll for outside coursework, in which case the Library or Museum will pay all legitimate expenses and allow paid time off to attend classes.

Professional Associations:

  1. The Library recognizes the value of library professional Associations and encourages employees to participate in them, especially the Wisconsin Library Association and the American Library Association. Attendance at their conferences is to be encouraged. Within reason and subject of the scheduling needs of the library, the Director may permit attendance on library time. "Time off" will be limited to the number of work hours missed, not the number of hours in attendance.

  2. Volunteer work as an officer or committee member on behalf of a professional association is encouraged, but is secondary to the employee's responsibilities to this library. Employees nominated or appointed to positions, which would require significant time away from the library, should discuss the matter with the Director (or Board of Trustees) in advance.

  3. The library will further support membership by paying for basic dues in The Wisconsin OR American Library Association.

  4. Expenses for attendance at professional conventions and/or conference may be reimbursed partially within budgetary limitations. Employees will be asked to seek further assistance in the form of scholarship money.

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