Skip to Main Content
UWM Libraries Homepage

User Services Intern and Fieldwork Training: Intern Basics

This guide is meant to act as a training experience for User Services Interns and Fieldworkers.

Intern Daily Checklist

At the start of every shift:

  • Punch in via HRS.  If HRS isn’t working, e-mail your work hours (specific start/end times) time to Molly Mathias at mathiasm@uwm.edu.

  • Put on your UWM Libraries ID badge.

  • Check your mail bin for any special instructions, new handouts, items being routed through the department, etc.

  • Ask whomever you are replacing or working with if there are any pending questions or problems. 

 

The first person at the Research Help Desk each day should:

  • Remove the “No Librarian on Duty” sign.

  • Turn on the lamp.

 

When not assisting a patron:

  •  Take a walk around the Learning Commons

    •    Generally straighten up as necessary.

    •    Refill supplies, especially whiteboard markers and erasers

    •    If users look confused or generally make eye contact, try asking something such as “Are you finding what you need?”. 

  • Teach yourself the basics of the electronic resources available in the UWM Libraries.  Review the Databases & Guides by Subject and LibGuides for disciplines and courses.

  • Review the Frequently Asked Questions pages.

  • Review and familiarize yourself with the Common Assignments Binder to prepare for assignment-based questions

 

The last person at the Research Help Desk each day should:

  • Sign out (but do not shut down) the computer.

  • Place the “No Librarian on Duty” sign on the desk.

  • Take off your UWM Libraries badge and leave it in your mail bin or locker.

 

Assessment and Statistics

Friday Afternoon Tasks

General Information

All User Services Interns share the W130G Intern Work Area (IWA). Do not leave purses or backpacks unsecured in the Intern bullpen as this is a heavy traffic area and items are subject to theft.

Each User Services student worker has a tray labeled with their name where materials can be delivered to them. Be sure to check this at the start of every shift. It is generally a good idea to keep your badge here. Put your badge on when you first arrive, and take it off and leave it in your box when you leave.

HRS

  • You may access the HRS page (my.wisconsin.edu) from the Ask a Librarian desk or RIS Intern bullpen computers.  Login at the beginning of your shift. You may NOT login from outside of your work hours. 
  • To login when first starting your shift (or after meal break), go to the my.wisconsin.edu site and select UW Milwaukee, login using your ePanther ID and password; select  webclock again logging in with epanther ID and password, select "IN" for Punch Type,  and set the Time Reporting Code to RIS intern/Regular Student Hours and then click Enter Punch when you are done.
  • When ending your shift, login once again and follow the same procedure except set Punch Type to Out (you don't need to designate a paycode when ending a shift). Log off when you're done.
  • If you are ever scheduled for a shift over 6 hours you will need to take a 30 minute lunch off the clock. When you take your lunch log off as normal, and when you are returning to work log in as normal.
  • If you forget to log in, or log out, or HRS isn't working, notify Molly Mathias at mathiasm@uwm.edu.

Laptops are locked in the W140D area, and you are free to use any for User Services work. Be sure to check the key out and in, and also note in the log sheet the equipment used, with time out/in.

User Services Intern Work Areas

User Services and Learning Commons Interns and Fieldwork Students might find competing demands for our staff work spaces. 

Please remember there are several options to choose from for assigned off-desk library projects. 

Primary work areas for student employees include:

  • User Services Intern Work Area (W130G)

 For small group meetings, authorized webinars/training sessions, etc. :

  • Research Consultation Office - W120D

This office is the primary space for Research Consultation and also used for small group (2-4) meetings, webinars, and conference calls.  Consultations can bump other User Services work if other spaces are not available for that Consultation. 

  • User Services Recording Office - E279*

For User Services, this office is our primary recording space since it has the necessary software and option to close the door for voice-overs. 

* If you do not have a 365 Calendar Share for this option, notify Molly mathiasm@uwm.edu.  To accept a 365 Calendar Share you must click on the "Accept" button  from within your Office 365 email.