The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has published Socializing New Hires, SPEC Kit 323, which investigates the progress made in ARL member organisations to establish or enhance socialisation programmes and activities for all newly hired, paid employees. It explores the availability and types of programmes, activities, and resources currently offered in ARL institutions; staff involved in designing and coordinating socialisation programmes and activities; goals and budget for socialisation programmes; length of participation in programmes and activities; evaluation and assessment of programmes; and benefits of socialisation programmes, activities and resources.
The survey results clearly demonstrate that socialisation activities are widespread and growing in research libraries and archives. The volume of response and detailed sample documents provided are indicative of the prevalence of existing activities and institutional commitment to these programmes. There is a perception of the critical importance and value of these activities to the enhancement of organisational success.
This SPEC Kit includes documentation from respondents that describes orientation, mentoring, and peer socialisation programs. It provides examples of orientation websites, orientation/socialization checklists, programme evaluation methods, and staff development resources.
The table of contents and executive summary from this SPEC Kit are available online at http://www.arl.org/bm~doc/spec-323-web.pdf.
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