WebJunction

Description:

In an ideal world, you would design and build a new library for easy maintenance. You would hire custodial staff who would know which products clean which surfaces. And your staff and clientele would appreciated the new library so much that they would take really good care of it.

In the real world, we inherit library buildings that were designed to win awards or were not originally designed as libraries. Our custodial staff is contract employees who clean the building during the night. We find graffiti on the restroom stalls, tar on the new carpet, water stains on the new furniture, and permanent markers used on the new marker board. Homeless people are sleeping on our new couches and in the bushes around the building; there are always paper towels on the floors of the restrooms; and the light bulbs in the bug-catching fixtures are constantly burned out. We were hired as librarians, but we sometimes feel like full-time janitors.

Objectives

After completing this course, you will understand the following objectives:

• Plan the library's landscaping and exterior for easy maintenance and sustainability
• Select furniture and furnishings that are easy to keep clean and attractive
• Keep utility bills low and manageable
• Hire competent custodial staff
• Design a maintenance schedule
• Clean common problem areas and remove common stains

Certification

This is a Web-based course approved for certification under the Western Council of State Libraries.

NOTE: After you enroll, you will receive an additional email with special LE@D login information within 3 business days. If you do not receive the message, please email courses@webjunction.org. After completing the course, click the Launch button on your My Courses page and follow the instructions to record completion.