Bias Incident Reporting

You may have seen these cards at the circulation desk and wondered what they were about. The Division of Student Affairs has created a platform to record incidents of bias and discrimination that occur on the IU campus.

From the Division of Student Affairs website:

“What is a Bias-based Incident?

Any act of discrimination or harassment based on:

• Race
• Ethnicity
• Religion
• Gender
• Gender Identity
• Sexual Orientation
• Disability

What is the Purpose of Reporting Bias Incidents?

1. To document bias-based incidents on campus in order to better understand the reality of discrimination in the IU community.
2. To assist and help provide resolution to bias-based incidents for those who request a response.”

You can report these incidents through the following means:

Online: biasincident.indiana.edu

Email: incident@indiana.edu

Mobile app: IU Mobile App (m.iu.edu)

Phone: (812) 855-8188

Noah Caught in the Act

Noah was Caught in the Act of being a good Samaritan. To me. I was preparing to work on the new book display when Noah came up to me and, without any prompting, asked if he could help. New books is one of my favorite little side tasks, and usually I comb through the books currently on the shelves to decide which ones should be switched out in favor of the most recent arrivals. In this case, however, it was time to pull ALL of the current books off the shelves and replace them with the (new) new books. Seeing as I had many other things to attend to, I happily accepted Noah’s kind offer. Thank you Noah, for making my job a little easier!

Sara Caught in the Act

Sara has been Caught in the Act of having a great attitude even when running the desk by herself. Early Friday afternoons are a busy time around here and there is a gap between 1pm and 1:30PM where Sara has to be the Captain and the First Mate. According to Kate:

She’s such a champ, working Fridays at 1pm (which gets uber busy). She’s spending a quarter of her Fridays by herself at work and is always happy!

So, thank you Sara, for being such a pro, and being part of why this is a great place to work!

Clayton Caught in the Act

Clayton was Caught in the Act of going above and beyond to help a patron. A SPEA faculty member had twenty-seven books to check out and not only did Clayton help him put all those books in library bags, but he also offered to assist in carrying the books upstairs. I can’t really say I’m surprised, Clayton, but you continue to help us set a high bar for customer service – thank you!

Matt Caught in the Act

So, I couldn’t help but notice last Friday that ALL of the books behind the desk had been shelved. It turns out that Sydney, as one of our student supervisors, decided to take on this project. But she didn’t take it on alone since Tall Matt volunteered his services. Sydney made it clear it was a big project and that she couldn’t have gotten it all done without Matt’s help. Thanks to you both, and a special thanks to Matt for being Caught in the Act!

Noah and Clayton Caught in the Act

Clayton

The I.C. was packed last Friday, thanks to I-Core. So when the evacuation alarm went off, we had our work cut out for us getting everyone out of the I.C. in a safe and timely manner. While notifying people in our group rooms that they had to leave, it was discovered that Clayton was one of those hard at work here that day. Rather than leave the premises and head for safety along with our other guests, he asked if he could help with the evacuation.  So grateful for the offer, I naturally replied in the affirmative.  Thank you, Clayton for helping out in our time of need.  You have been Caught in the Act!

Noah

But Clayton wasn't the only one coming to the rescue last week. Suzy reports that Noah did too. She was temporarily working the desk alone. She had a flood of study room keys coming in and anxious people standing around the desk, all of whom had their names on the 13-person long waitlist. Noah was one of those people on the waitlist, so he was among those standing in front of our desk. When a guest came and asked Suzy to help her find a book, Suzy had no choice but to politely inform her that it would be a few minutes before she could help her. Noah overheard this conversation, and quickly stepped in to help the guest find the books she wanted from our stacks. Afterwards, when his name was then called to come get a key for his group, he saw that Suzy was still swamped, so he took it upon himself to fill out his own checkout form. Suzy was very glad for his help during a very stressful shift, and we are so grateful for his initiative that busy day.  Thank you, Noah. You have been Caught in the Act!

Core Values:  Service - positive, friendly, and respectful interactions; and Teamwork - having fun and working together for the good of the library and the community.

After I Leave...

As you know from Matt’s e-mail, next Thursday will be my last day at the Business/SPEA Information Commons.  I leave you in very capable hands. Starting December 9 and until my replacement is hired, please go to Jeri (jesander@indiana.edu) with any matters relating to your Time record (missed punches, etc.).  Go to Matt (mtmgee@indiana.edu) with all other questions or needs that would have previously brought you to my door. 

It would be wonderful to see you at my reception on Thursday (Dec. 8, 3:00-4:30). Matt mentioned that there will be tears that day, and I’m pretty certain a great many of them will come from my eyes!  While I look very forward to beginning this exciting new chapter in my life, I’ve gotten pretty attached to the staff and to this place over the last 33 years. I’ve already told a few of you that my plans for retirement include crying on Thursday, smiling ear-to-ear on Friday, resting my face over the weekend, then doing whatever I want starting on Monday. 

The time seems right to tell you how very grateful I am that my path crossed with yours at the Business/SPEA IC.  Working with you and the hundreds of student employees before you has definitely been the highlight of my career.  You’ve kept me young and on my toes.  (Now that responsibility will fall to my grandchildren!)  It’s been my pleasure to work with such an outstanding group of young adults.  May your future include the very best that Life has to offer. You deserve nothing less than that.