1.4 Personnel

Library personnel follow the guidelines set forth in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Springfield and the A.F.S.C.M.E. Local 3797 Union (Appendix D), the Town of Springfield Personnel Policy (Appendix J), and the Guidelines for Library Behavior (Section 3.9)

Paramount in each staff member's mind should be the understanding that they serve the public and that their primary job is to provide the best possible library services to meet the needs of the community. Every effort should be made to ensure that each visit to the Library is a positive experience.

“The Town does recognize the rights of Town employees as individuals who need not subject themselves to unjustified mistreatment or abuse by the public. In such cases, employees are empowered to affect courteous withdrawal from the citizen as is practical under the circumstances.” (See Appendix J Section XII.C.1.d. in the Town Personnel Rules and Regulations manual.)

Criticism of the Library and/or its administrative policies by the public should be referred by the staff and Trustees to the Library Director.

Trustees, Library Director, and staff are encouraged to take an active part in community affairs and work consistently toward making the Library an integral part of constructive community activities.

Initial Adoption Date: Portions adopted at least as early as February 11, 1971, prior to becoming a town department

Modified Date(s)

  • May 3, 1976 - Deleted “Public criticism of the library and administrative policies shall be avoided by all library employees.”

  • September 12, 2023 - Added reference to Appendices for job description and Town of Springfield Personnel Policies

  • February 12, 2025 - Added language from the Town of Springfield Personnel Policy Manual to highlight that staff do not have to subject themselves to mistreatment by the public.

1.4.1 Volunteers

The use of volunteers to assist the Library staff and expand the ability of the Library to meet community needs for library service is encouraged.  The use of volunteers is intended to supplement, but not replace, Library staff.

Initial Adoption Date: No earlier than 1976, exact date TBD (as well as other modification dates)