A 30-60-90 day plan is essential for any new Technical Services Librarian to ensure a successful transition and onboarding within the library's technical services department. It provides a structured approach to quickly set role-specific goals, create milestones, and identify the necessary steps to achieve them.
This customized 30-60-90 day plan helps you to:
- Establish expertise in the library's cataloging standards, classification systems, and metadata schemas.
- Gain familiarity with acquisitions workflows, vendor relations, and electronic resource management.
- Develop proficiency in integrated library systems (ILS) and digital asset management platforms.
Whether you are new to technical services or transitioning from another library department, this plan supports your growth and integration into the team.
Benefits of a 30-60-90 Day Plan for Technical Services Librarians
Implementing this plan allows you to:
- Build a clear roadmap tailored to the technical services librarian role, focusing on cataloging accuracy, resource acquisition, and metadata quality.
- Accelerate relationship-building with catalogers, acquisitions staff, and IT support teams.
- Demonstrate your commitment to enhancing the library's technical infrastructure and resource accessibility.
- Prioritize tasks that directly impact collection management and user access.
Core Elements of the Technical Services Librarian 30-60-90 Day Plan
This plan is structured into three progressive phases:
First 30 Days
Focus on orientation and foundational knowledge:
- Review the library's cataloging policies, classification systems (e.g., Dewey Decimal, Library of Congress), and metadata standards.
- Attend training sessions on the integrated library system (ILS) and electronic resource management tools.
- Meet with key stakeholders in acquisitions, cataloging, and IT departments to understand workflows and expectations.
- Begin hands-on practice with cataloging new materials under supervision.
60 Days
Build on initial knowledge and take on increased responsibilities:
- Manage routine cataloging and metadata enhancement tasks independently.
- Assist in coordinating acquisitions workflows, including vendor communications and order tracking.
- Participate in troubleshooting system issues related to technical services.
- Document process improvements and suggest workflow optimizations.
90 Days
Demonstrate full integration and leadership in technical services:
- Lead projects to update catalog records and improve metadata consistency.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new resource management tools.
- Train junior staff or interns on technical services procedures.
- Provide regular progress reports and feedback to supervisors.
Throughout each phase, document your progress, challenges, and insights to facilitate ongoing development and performance evaluations. This structured approach ensures that new Technical Services Librarians are equipped to contribute effectively to the library's mission and operations from day one.
