The Senior Administrative Person is always the Director whenever s/he is physically present. In the Director’s absence, the Deputy Director is senior administrator; in his/her absence, the Branch Manager, Adult Services Manager, Youth Services Manager, Circulation Services Manager, Technical Services Manager and the Business Manager/Fiscal Officer are respectively senior. Regardless of their physical presence, the Senior Administrative Person makes decisions regarding the system as a whole, such as whether to close an agency.

The Building Senior Person has authority over the staffing and operations of the agency in routine situations, and handles complaints from customers. The Building Senior Person supervises staff in the absence of the department supervisor or senior administrative staff. This responsibility is rotated among Public Service Managers, the Deputy Director, Training Specialist/Computer Center Supervisor, and Public Service Librarians at Main Library, and by the Branch Manager or the senior professional librarian designated by the Branch Manager at Woods Branch. In instances where particular departmental procedures are involved, the building Senior Person confers with the departmental Senior Person.

The Departmental Senior Person is designated by a department manager to function in his/her absence. This designee ensures that the department staffing needs are met, which includes the use of substitutes and the allocation of staff breaks.

Responsibilities of the Building Senior Person
1. Checks with each departmental Senior Person to ensure for adequate staffing.

2. Makes decisions about the safety and security of the building; settles problems with customers that should not be deferred; makes decisions about staff and scheduling that should not be deferred.

3. Informs the Senior Administrative Person of unusual actions taken or circumstances that may result in later repercussions, such as customer complaints or disciplinary problems. (Serious emergencies immediately, other matters the next day).

4. In conference with the building Maintenance staff, informs Maintenance Services Supervisor of building emergencies; may arrange for emergency building repairs under his/her direction or in his/her stead. In the absence of a Maintenance staff person, the Senior Person addresses any building issues to the best of his/her ability, consulting with other staff as necessary.

5. Informs Maintenance staff about building conditions such as heat/air conditioning, restrooms, etc.

6. Writes Incident Reports as necessary.

Approved by the Shaker Heights Public Library Board of Trustees December 1993, May 1999, November 2007, and May 11, 2010.