The Practical Library Trainer

by Carter; Ruth C

• ISBN13: 9780789022684
• ISBN10: 0789022680
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-05-24
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Develop a library staff training program that really works! To stay on top of the lightning-fast changes in the library field and provide your patrons with the best service possible, you need to establish and sustain an effective program for training your staff. The Practical Library Trainer examines the concept of the library as a learning place for patrons and staff, offering a comprehensive view of training from an administrator's perspective. Bruce E. Massis, author of The Practical Library Manager (Haworth), addresses the essential issues of how to develop a strong program of continuous instruction, including customer service, reporting, recruitment, and retention of staff. The book focuses on the integration of staff training as a blended activity instead of an intervention, quelling the notion of training as an add-on” to existing staff duties. The current information-rich environment provides your patrons with an abundance of resources to choose from for their research needs. But they can't do it alone-they need direction from a knowledgeable librarian who can recognize the pedigree, currency, and validity of licensed resources, particularly those available through electronic means. The Practical Library Trainer uses the goal of long-range customer service as a starting point, emphasizing the return on investment possibilities from blended training methods as a key to meeting your patrons' high expectations of service. The book also provides examples from outside the library community to demonstrate the importance of training on a non-library setting and looks at future training issues. The Practical Library Trainer examines: types of staff training (formal, informal, employer-provided, qualifying, skill improvement) strategies for recruiting and retaining a staff blended learning e-training in-house training how to use professional conferences as continuing education opportunities how to evaluate your training program a sample of an anywhere, anytime” education and training program and much more! The Practical Library Trainer is an important resource for making sure your patrons get the most from your library--and your staff.

Author Biography

Bruce E. Massis is currently Associate Director of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	1	(4)
Chapter 1. Preparing the Library for a Staff Training Program	5	(8)
Types of Staff Training	7	(2)
The Role of a Training Administrator (TA)	9	(1)
Establishing a Funding Level	10	(1)
Checklist for Sustainability of a Library Staff Training Program	11	(2)
Chapter 2. Recruitment and Retention of Library Staff: Can These Issues Benefit from a Staff Training Program?	13	(6)
Recruitment	14	(1)
Retention	15	(1)
Competency Development	16	(3)
Chapter 3. Suggestions for a Comprehensive Training Program for Library Staff	19	(10)
Components	20	(4)
Budget Issues	24	(1)
Program Evaluation	25	(1)
Dissemination	26	(1)
Sustainability	26	(3)
Chapter 4. The Workplace As Learning Place	29	(6)
Steps in Creating an Integrated Learning Environment	30	(1)
"Blended Learning" to Keep the Staff Engaged	30	(2)
What Are the Latest Trends?	32	(3)
Chapter 5. Train the Trainer: The In-House Training Opportunity	35	(4)
Training Programs	36	(1)
Engaging the Learner	37	(2)
Chapter 6. The Conference As a Continuing Education Opportunity	39	(6)
Reasons to Attend a Conference or Seminar	39	(2)
Planning for the Conference	41	(2)
Selected Conferences	43	(1)
Receiving Continuing Education Credit	44	(1)
Chapter 7. The ROI Report and E-Training	45	(10)
Measuring the Benefits of E-Training	45	(2)
What is ROI?	47	(3)
Two Suggested Examples of the ROI Formula	50	(2)
Practical Elements for Calculating ROI	52	(3)
Chapter 8. Is the Library Continuing Education
Program Working? Evaluating the Training Program	55	(1)
Why a Questionnaire?	56	(1)
ASTD Evaluation Tools	56	(1)
Failures of Evaluation	57	(1)
Key Questions to Ask	57	(4)
Chapter 9. Library Training: A Future Perspective	61	(8)
Overcoming Resistance to Training	61	(4)
Elements in Planning the Library for the Future	65	(1)
Retaining the Library Staff for the Future	66	(1)
The Future of Training Library Staff	67	(2)
Chapter 10. Delivering Blended Learning to Library
Staff in Southeast Florida: A Case Study	69	(1)
Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN)	69	(1)
A Scalable Program	70	(1)
Why Blended Learning?	70	(2)
Web-Based Learning	72	(2)
Instructor-Led E-Learning	74	(1)
Teleconferences	74	(1)
Compressed Video	75	(1)
Streaming Media	76	(1)
Classroom-Based Technology-Assisted Formats	76	(1)
The Future of Technology-Based Training	77	(2)
Appendix A. ROI Courses Offered at U.S. Business Schools	79	(2)
Appendix B. Train-the-Trainer Degrees, Certificates, Workshops, and Courses	81	(2)
Appendix C. Staff Training Outcomes Survey Questionnaire	83	(10)
Template 1	83	(5)
Template 2	88	(5)
Appendix D. A Sample User Survey for Online Learning	93	(2)
Appendix E. A Sample Needs Assessment Survey for Blended Learning	95	(4)
Notes	99	(4)
Selected Training Bibliographies	103	(16)
Leadership Development	103	(2)
Training Budgets	105	(1)
Value of Training	106	(1)
Linking Training to Your Library's Mission and Vision	107	(1)
Starting a Training Program	108	(1)
ROI	109	(1)
Additional Selected Bibliography on ROI	110	(1)
Recruitment and Retention Issues	111	(2)
Train the Trainer	113	(1)
Selected Annotated Bibliography of Donald L. Kirkpatrick's Published Works	114	(5)
Index	119