Working teenagers

Library Administrator's Digest, Sep 2002 by Bellin, Bernie

There are more than 500 teenagers injured on the job every day. It won't happen to them. One teenager is killed on the job every five days. It won't happen to them. Teenagers are very focused on the fact that they are making money and not on how to do the job safely.

Some general things to remember when teenagers are working for you in the library. By teenagers, I mean students who have not worked anywhere else before and the library is their first job. Driving any type of library vehicle or running work related errands for you is incredibly dangerous.

They are working for you and they are your responsibility. If they must drive for you, do not allow them to drive alone. And never allow a teenager to work alone in the library. This applies whether the library is open to the public or closed. An adult should always be in the building.

Teenagers are a wonderful source of labor for libraries. We have hired them for years. Libraries, as well as other places, need to know that a teenager's focus is on the money, not the job. I always told our student hires that I had only a few requirements. Those were:

* Be to work on time.

* If you are ill or going to be late, notify your supervisor.

* If you need time off, let us know as soon as you know.

* When working, concentrate on the job you are assigned.

Teenagers are a resource we should use wisely and carefully.

Bernie Bellin, in Lakeshore Lines, Lakeshore Library System (WI), August 2002