Beyond The First Day: Reinventing Onboarding
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Beyond the First Day: Reinventing Onboarding is a comprehensive approach to welcoming new staff to the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library (THPL) and equipping them for success. Previously, onboarding was limited to a single half-day session offering only a broad overview. THPL recognized the need for deeper engagement and sought to innovate its approach to better support and connect new employees.
The new program includes eight interactive sessions covering key topics, branch visits, staff networking, and a professional headshot opportunity. Each session is led by subject experts from library leadership and hosted at different branches to showcase system-wide services. This approach fosters connection, builds knowledge, and encourages investment in THPL’s mission. Since its launch in January 2025, the program has received strong support from staff and leadership, with nearly 500 employees participating to date.
Challenge/Opportunity
THPL’s greatest asset is its staff, and hiring and retaining quality employees is a top priority. With a workforce of over 300, THPL values bringing in individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. However, introducing new hires to a large library system can be overwhelming. Previously, onboarding consisted of a single half-day session held quarterly. This approach had key limitations: the short duration was not enough to cover essential topics, and the timing often resulted in inconsistent experiences. New staff could be in the system for just a week or several months before attending, making the content less relevant. As a result, the burden of onboarding fell largely on branch staff, and many employees felt disconnected from the broader mission and vision of THPL. The need for a more timely, engaging, and consistent onboarding experience led to the development of an innovative system focused on connection and support from day one.
Key Elements of Innovation
To address these challenges, the new system more than doubled time spent with eight half-day sessions on key topics such as library divisions, Polaris, collections, and more. Designed for flexibility, new hires begin training in their second week and can join sessions in any order until all eight are completed. This allows onboarding and networking to happen at relevant times with consistent, valuable information.
A core goal was to reduce training pressure on branch staff. Alongside more sessions, new hires receive a binder and a position-specific onboarding checklist. Each session takes place at a different branch, allowing employees to tour locations and experience features like Aging Services partnerships, HeadStart, and the passport program. Branches were chosen strategically to highlight these services. Sessions are led by library leadership, offering expert guidance and direct engagement. The brand innovation session also includes a professional headshot opportunity.
Achieved Outcomes
Beyond the First Day: Reinventing Onboarding has received strong support from new hires, branch staff, and leadership. By investing in employees early, THPL fosters a connected, system-wide culture that extends beyond individual branches. The program benefits all levels: leadership develops presentation skills, branch staff are relieved of onboarding responsibilities, and new employees gain the tools and connections they need to succeed.
Post-onboarding survey feedback highlights the impact:
- “The small group format was very helpful. Great to talk in-depth with brand innovation staff.”
- “Great job! Great training!”
- “Everyone always does a great job. Thank you!”
- “Loved it, great presenters!”
- “Very informational and helpful for the future.”
- “Learned something new each time. It’s been helpful to meet in person the people we work with daily.”
These responses reflect the value of a thoughtful, interactive onboarding experience that supports long-term success at THPL.
