A resource for Wisconsin public library directors and managers about Human Resource (HR) knowledge, skills, and best practices.
Access live webinars, on-demand videos, and helpful resources from HR and library experts. Learn about key topics like hiring, onboarding, training, employee evaluations, discipline, compensation, benefits, and both Wisconsin and federal employment laws. Everything you need to build a strong foundation of HR knowledge and support your library’s success.
Coming soon: On Demand Videos and Resource Library
The HR for WIsconsin Library Leaders project is produced by Wisconsin Library Systems, with funding from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction through a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Upcoming Live Webinars
Join us for the HR Essentials for Library Leaders series, where expert Kathy Parker will guide library leaders through the essential steps of managing the Lifecycle of a Library Employee. This two-part series will discuss the hiring process, evaluation and departure of a library employee from the organization. Whether you're looking to refine your HR approach or getting ready to lead your first team, this session will provide valuable insights for library leaders at every level.
The Lifecycle of a Library Employee: Part 1
Tuesday, May 20 at 1:00-2:30pm
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a5CGMPVjQ32NTO8T3N1YRQ
In this first session of the HR Essentials for Library Leaders series, Kathy Parker will discuss the hiring process, evaluation and departure of a library employee from the organization. Session 1 will discuss the importance of laying a strong foundation before and during the hiring process.
Key Topics Include:
- job descriptions
- job ads and where to post
- interviewing and the scoring of candidates
- hiring and onboarding of new employees, including salaries and benefits
Attendees will receive the following resources: sample job descriptions, interview scoring sheet, onboarding template, sample salary schedule and compensation package.
The Lifecycle of a Library Employee: Part 2
Tuesday, June 17 at 1:00-2:30pm
Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ciSrEOWEQhKTUmFifzMtzQ
Join us for the second session of the HR Essentials for Library Leaders series with expert Kathy Parker. We will discuss the retention of an employee through training and holding them accountable for their work product.
Key Topics Include:
- Performance Improvement Plans (PIP)
- Separation of the employee from the organization, whether voluntary or involuntary
- We will conclude the session with basic HR legal terms to know.
Attendees will receive the following resources: evaluation template, sample PIP, offboarding checklist, succession plan, termination script and termination checklist.
About Our Presenter
Kathy Parker is a retired library director, turned library consultant, who does work as an interim director and provides training and mentoring to library trustees and staff. She is passionate about educating people in the library field, and is the co-founder of Directors University, an Illinois training program for new library public directors. Prior to retirement she was the director of the Glenwood-Lynwood (IL) Public Library District for 16 years, and has over 40 years of library experience in public and law firm libraries. Kathy has served on numerous state committees including the Illinois Library Association and has served as a library trustee for her local library and the regional library system, Reaching Across Illinois Library System. In 2016 she was the recipient of the American Library Association’s Trustee Citation award. Kathy is the co-author of The Public Library Director’s Toolkit and The Public Library Director’s HR Toolkit, and has provided training and presentations on leadership, HR, and running libraries to over 3,000 library staff nationally.
Compensation and Benefits Laws: An Overview of FSLA and FMLA
Wednesday, June 4, 10-11 am
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GnyQcvAtS_-Uc2kT4n77RQ
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, record-keeping requirements, and youth employment standards. As regulated by the Department of Labor, compliance is mandatory and failure to comply exposes a municipality to major financial risk. Leaders require a working knowledge of the rules and requirements of the law.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the leader’s role in FLSA compliant decision making
- Review the basic principles of the FLSA and what is not regulated
- Implement solutions to common FLSA related issue
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specific family and personal medical reasons. It is important to understand what employees are eligible for and how to accurately manage their eligibility through the year.
Learning Objectives:
- Define eligibility for FMLA
- Explore common reasons an employee takes FMLA
- Analyze the difference between State and Federal benefits and how to track
- Perform the appropriate role of an employee, supervisor, and HR regarding FMLA
Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Question and Answer Session
Wednesday, June 25, 10:30-11:30 am
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ErzS9CWNQRGQ2yKGCRvzaA
Submit questions for Jean Cole here: https://forms.office.com/r/AnAZK8NUKL
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) are two critical pieces of legislation that protect employees, as you know from the Overview of FLSA & FMLA session with Jean Cole. Submit your questions about FLSA and FMLA for Jean Cole by June 18, and then join us to hear the answers to everyone’s questions!
About Our Presenter
Jean Cole has been employed at Cities and Villages Mutual Insurance Company (CVMIC) since 2003, starting as an Employment Practices Liability (EPL) Specialist. Since 2015, Jean’s role has been divided between oversight of HR for CVMIC and leading EPL efforts with the membership. Jean has over twenty-five years of experience in public sector human resources. Jean is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)(SHRM-SCP) from the Society of Human Resources Management and a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP), and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stout, as well as a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Marquette University.
Coming Soon!
On Demand Videos and Resource Library
ADA compliance and accommodations (15 minutes) - Available June 30
- The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted into law in 1990. We will discuss some basic points of the Act, the importance of complying with ADA and how to work through an ADA Reasonable Accommodations Interactive Process when an employee makes the request.
Core Personnel Policies (15 minutes) - Available June 30
- Strong personnel policies are vital to a well-run organization. We will discuss the core personnel policies libraries are mandated to have and review some that are nice additions that are employee centered.
Contact Angela Schneider at aschneider@winnefox.org with questions about upcoming HR for Library Leaders events.