Organising the work area

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Last updated 30-Aug-2007

Work area

Labels

Clearly label shelves, boxes or plastic tubs for specific tasks.

Workstation Headings

As items are processed, they will move through a series of shelves indicating the different activities required at each specific stage of the process. Clearly label six shelves (fixed or mobile) with the following headings. These will assist in establishing and maintaining an ordered workflow.

• WORKSTATION 1
  NEW ITEMS TO BE SEARCHED ON SCISWEB
  Search the SCIS Web site http://www.curriculum.edu.au/scis/index.htm
  for catalogue records. Instructions available from SCISWeb instructions.
• WORKSTATION 2
  CHECK CMIS WEB SITE
  Items not found on the SCIS database should be checked against the list of items
  waiting to be catalogued on the CMIS web site at
  http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/cat/receivedsearch.asp
• WORKSTATION 3
  SEND TO CMIS FOR CATALOGUING
  Items not found on the CMIS “Awaiting cataloguing” list should be
  sent to CMIS for original cataloguing. For mailing details check
  http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/cat/instr4.htm
• WORKSTATION 4
  ACCESSION USING SCIS RECORDS
  Load SCIS records into the automated system and accession items.
• WORKSTATION 5
  AWAITING SPINE LABELS
  Spine labels can be printed by the library system. Obtain information about the best labels to purchase from your system supplier. Alternatively they may be typed.
• WORKSTATION 6
  FINAL PROCESSING
  Fix spine labels, return slips (if required), security tags (if used) and cover items.

Other Work Area Headings

Other shelves that could be labelled include the following:

• FOR PROMOTION
  Items which have been accessioned and processed and can be promoted as a display (e.g. New Materials) before being shelved.
• VERTICAL FILE
  Items to be prepared for the vertical file can be placed here until time permits the tasks to be done.
• CHARTS/POSTERS/DISPLAY MATERIALS
  Items that are large or bulky can be stored here.
• PROBLEMS
  Any task which requires more time to solve, e.g. kits, missing items.
• REPAIRS
  Items that need repairs are placed here until time permits the task to be completed.
• WITHDRAWALS
  Items which have been weeded from the collection and are awaiting the withdrawal process.
• STAFF
  Keep a file of staff contact details, including relief staff and volunteers. Copies of Commencement Notices, Sick Leave Forms etc. should be kept here.

Organisation of Tasks

Plan a variety of tasks over time (a week, fortnight, month, term, semester and year). Communicate with parent helpers by keeping a record (exercise book) of “tasks to be done” and “tasks done”. This maintains the organisation/management of the library at all times.

User area

Guide Signs

• Make guide signs to indicate functions or areas in the library. They need to be clear, neat and a suitable size.

  Some suggested guide signs:

  FICTION, NON-FICTION, CATALOGUE, VERTICAL FILE, NON-FICTION 000 TO 900, FICTION A TO Z

• Guide signs for fiction and non-fiction can be mounted on large signs at the end of the shelves, above each shelf, or on the sides of a box.

  Example: Audiovisual (AV) box, or small soap-powder box (covered).



This guide sign box is placed on the shelf where the relevant section of the collection begins.