Librarian onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: MLS or MLIS degree, School library media certification (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: integrated library systems; online databases; cataloging tools; digital media tools
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Librarian training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Protect patron privacy
Follow emergency procedures
Lift boxes of books properly
Maintain a safe, welcoming space
Shadow an experienced librarian through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: conduct a reference interview
Supervised practice: teach students to evaluate sources
Supervised practice: weed a collection
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Help patrons find information: independently
Select and manage collections: independently
Teach research and digital skills: independently
Plan and run programs: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, MLS or MLIS degree)
Discuss the career path: Library Assistant → Librarian → Branch Manager or Department Head
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Conduct a Reference Interview
Teach Students to Evaluate Sources
Weed a Collection
Research and reference
Collection development
Cataloging
Information literacy instruction

How to measure onboarding success

Time to independent classroom work
Observation and evaluation scores
Licensing or compliance findings
First-year retention

How Librarian training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Librarian Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Librarian Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Librarian Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Librarian Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)