Case Study: Shelving and the Autistic Employee

Abstract

Using college students to shelve library books in a university library has always presented a variety of problems. Attention spans are short; dedication to this repetitive task as well as socializing can be a problem for the average student. For the past 9 years, Oakland University's Kresge Library has employed a young man with autism to shelve their books and journals. It has been a positive experience for both the Library and the employee. This article is a case study on employing an individual with autism to shelve books in a university library and the implications involved.

KEYWORDS:

• Employment
• library
• hiring
• managing
• training

Notes

1. Employee's name changed to protect identity.