Discussion Questions

  1. What components make up a strong and supportive onboarding process, and how can each piece help new employees succeed in their first days and weeks?
  2. In what ways can library staff and leadership help new employees feel genuinely welcomed, supported, and confident during their transition into the library?
  3. How would you describe your library’s culture, and what intentional steps can you take to introduce that culture to a new employee?
  4. What information should be prioritized on a new employee’s first day to avoid overwhelming them while still helping them feel prepared?
  5. How might checklists, schedules, and early goal-setting support a new hire’s learning, and what criteria should guide what you include in these tools?
  6. What role does shadowing, mentoring, or assigning an onboarding buddy play in helping new staff understand expectations, workflow, and workplace norms?
  7. How can communication preferences, regular check-ins, and personalized support strategies improve a new employee’s confidence and long-term success?
  8. What strategies can libraries use to help new staff understand essential policies, values (like privacy and freedom to read), and emergency procedures early in their onboarding?

Questions written by Microsoft Copilot from the webinar outline.