The University of Kansas Libraries

KU Libraries Support Staff

Jan Altenbernd, Chair and Nancy Hawkins, Vice Chair presided over the meeting.
Guest Speakers: Julia Rholes, Sandy Gilliland and Sarah Camp

Jan introduced the guest speakers and the subjects they each would address:
Sandy Gilliland--Reevaluation of job descriptions
Julia Rholes--Reassignment document (1992 Crowe memo)
Sarah Campbell—Reclassification

Jan began the meeting by asking all new staff members (employed in the last year) to introduce themselves.

1. Sandy Gilliland
Sandy said there would be a library wide review of positions for three reasons:
    1. The changes created by Voyager-- What skills and abilities are now required to do the work?
    2. There hasn’t been a review in several years.
    3. Job descriptions should be up to date, current and reflect the actual job the employee is doing. 
    Annual evaluations would be a good time for reviewing job descriptions.

She said the focus will be on Library Assistant positions, but will also include Secretarial and Accounting positions.
She said the details of the process that will be used in reviewing positions still needs to be worked, but that a task force with representation from classified staff will be involved in the process. This task force and Human Resources will have the responsibility of recommending any reclassifications based on the job reviews.
She hopes to begin the reviews in May and to complete the process in one year.
Sandy does not think the Level III rank is sufficient and there are not enough promotional opportunities. She thinks one more level would be good.

2. Sarah Campbell
Sarah Campbell explained the process Human Resources goes through when presented with a new job description: they look at the old job description, the new job description, compare it to other job descriptions and to state job descriptions.
She suggested that library employees make a list of their current job duties before meeting with their supervisor for their next evaluation to help with the review process.
Sandy emphasized that reclassifications and job reviews are two different things and that the library wide job review may not result in many reclassifications.

3. Julia Rholes
Julia Rholes addressed the subject of budget problems affecting staff reassignments.
She stressed that things are changing and that merging of departments and moving assignments around will continue to happen.
The serious budget issues this year mean that some vacant positions will not be filled.
The administration will look at the duties performed by the vacant positions and see if others could do these tasks. This would result in reassignments. Julia wanted everyone to be aware of the 1992 Crowe memo about reassignments.
It is the responsibility of the supervisor to work with individual staff members to make reassignments as easy as possible.
She emphasized that while communication is important, reassignments fall into the realm of personnel issues and must be treated confidentially. She said it would be helpful for departments to issue updates yearly on workflow and staff assignments and duties.

Julia said the Staff Development Committee in the past has provided programs and training materials focusing on change suggested they might want to consider doing this again.

Sandy said she had contacted Kathleen Ames-Oliver about developing an in-house program for classified and unclassified supervisor training.

A question and answer session followed each of the speakers’ remarks.

Janet Revenew announced that she would be distributing questionnaires to measure interest in a drink machine for the staff lounge.

Jan thanked the speakers for participating in the meeting and called for volunteers for involvement in committees next year.