Then we step back and provide the resources that our employees need. We serve as library coaches. As a coach our task is to offer encouragement. We stand on the sidelines and cheer our support staff-offering advice only when needed. Library coaches must also help library support staff members keep aligned with a library's mission and values.
Frequent evaluations serve as a good barometer of workplace performance.
At quarterly evaluations, with my library staff, we are able to assess what went right and what could be improved upon. Goals can be discussed and library coaches can be graded as to how good a job of coaching they do. If mistakes happen then correct the mistakes and move on. Second, we market our support staff personnel by rewarding them. We treat non-librarians as librarian equals.