• Have an open mind. It is important that everyone involved approaches a secondment or job exchange with a positive mindset. This includes staff at both the host and home libraries.
• It is very important for the secondee to be aware and accepting of any pay and conditions issues, and for the host and home libraries to anticipate and deal with any potential issues before they arise.
• For the secondee, it is an opportunity to reinvigorate their career in a new environment. It is an opportunity to test their skills and to develop new skills; to learn from colleagues and pass on knowledge to colleagues; to make connections and develop and participate in new networks.
• The secondee should be given a full range of appropriate training and a range of tasks that they can quickly take charge of.
• It is important that the host library sees the secondment as having a two-way benefit and ensures the secondee’s skills are used to the greatest extent, and make use of the secondee as an experienced outsider and observer.
• The training implications of short-term staff are an opportunity to test training processes.
• A secondment is an opportunity for host library staff to learn from a colleague from another library as well to pass on their knowledge and experience.
• There may be some administrative issues with secondments. These can be viewed as a way of testing HR processes and policies in different situations and can provide an example of organisational flexibility and adaptability.
• During the secondment the secondee should be encouraged to ask questions and give feedback. It may be useful to assign a mentor to the secondee to encourage two way conversations on work practices: how things are done, why they are done a certain way, and why not do them another way.
• The host library should conduct a worthwhile exit interview with the secondee. This should focus on the benefits to the individual and also any issues that have arisen and any ideas the secondee has on improving processes.
• It is very important that the home library capitalises on the development of the secondee when they return. The secondee should present a detailed report on learnings from the experience and be encouraged to identify different ways of doing things. The secondee should also be encouraged to present to staff on the benefits and issues from the secondment and to pass on any new skills learnt.
• Both the host and home library can focus on the benefits for staff and, therefore, for their organisations and for the library sector in general. Development of librarians with broader experience who can operate in different environments and bring new skills while also learning new skills will benefit both libraries and the sector in general as it benefits the individuals.
• Successful secondments mean more successful secondments and better, happier staff, and better service to our clients. Any administrative issues dealt with once can easily be dealt with many times.

Staff member (secondee)

• This is a great opportunity, make the most of it.
• Be open to learning new things and developing new skills.
• You will bring new skills to your secondment, pass them on.
• Ask plenty of questions, meet plenty of people.
• You will set an example by which others judge secondments.
• Be positive.
• Be friendly.
• Contribute your knowledge as you learn.
• Follow their rules. Sometimes small things can differ. It is up to you fit in with the practices of your host library.
• Be punctual.
• Keep in contact with your own library. Maybe you can blog your experiences.
• Use your connections to connect others. You may be able to refer a colleague at your host library to a colleague at your home library who has expertise or experience in a particular area.
• Build networks. You are the connection between the host and home library, maintain the networks you build.
• Learn as much as you can and pass it on when you return to your home library.
• Keep notes of what you learn and what you observe so your host and home library can benefit from your experiences.
• Clarify any issues regarding pay and conditions prior to the secondment commencing.
• Be patient if anything goes wrong.
• Be flexible.

Host library

• Establish agreed pay and conditions for the secondee clearly prior to commencement of secondment.
• Have clear lines of communication with the home library.
• Prepare for the secondee prior to them arriving.
• Have a program in place for the secondee so they are widely and well trained and briefed.
• This is an opportunity to test training and induction processes through your secondee.
• Place them in a defined job with challenging tasks.
• Make the most of the opportunity to have a new, experienced and enthusiastic staff member on-board.
• Encourage your secondee to look critically and comparatively at systems and processes.
• Introduce the secondee widely within the organisation, not just to a team or small work group.
• Encourage the secondee to be involved, give them the opportunity for the widest learning experience.
• Ensure a meaningful exit interview with the secondee.

Home library

• This is a chance to show off the skills of your staff.
• Your staff member will return, invigorated, well-rounded, with greater knowledge.
• Make sure you provide the conditions for that knowledge to be passed on.
• On their return, the secondee could present at a staff meeting.
• The secondee should meet with their manager to give a detailed report on the pros and cons of the secondment.
• They could be asked about comparable processes and systems between the two libraries.
• They should be expected to take on more responsibility.