Training Skills for Library Staff

by Allan, Barbara; Moran, Barbara

• ISBN13: 9780810847477
• ISBN10: 0810847477
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-06-28
• Publisher: Scarecrow Press

Summary

"Neuro-linguistic programming? In my library?" Many information and library practitioners are engaged in training activities in their daily work, and both need and want to know about new approaches to learning. In Training Skills for Library Staff, veteran trainer Barbara Allan takes the mystery out of the potentially unfamiliar and the mindless from the tried and true. Beginning with a compelling discussion of learning styles and how to apply them, Allan demonstrates best practice skills for designing, delivering, and assessing effective training programs, as both single events and a continuous professional development program. Ideas, activities and techniques abound, as well as listings of contacts and sources of information. First published in the UK in 2000, Training Skills for Library Staff has been revised and updated for a North American audience by management expert Barbara Moran. Now, as then, it offers a wealth of information upon which you will draw many times over.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
PART 1: BACKGROUND TO TRAINING	1	(114)
Introduction	3	(9)
Introduction to this book	3	(4)
The changing context of learning, training and development	7	(1)
The changing context of libraries	8	(2)
Preparing the workforce for the future	10	(2)
Training and learning	12	(29)
Introduction	12	(1)
Accelerated learning	13	(10)
The importance of learning styles	23	(18)
The trainer	41	(14)
Introduction	41	(1)
Selecting a trainer	42	(1)
The role of the trainer	43	(3)
Looking after yourself	46	(2)
Support for trainers	48	(7)
Key skills for trainers	55	(47)
Introduction	55	(1)
Assertiveness skills	56	(1)
Assessment skills	57	(1)
Coaching skills	58	(2)
Counselling skills	60	(2)
Creativity skills	62	(1)
Facilitating skills	63	(1)
Feedback skills	64	(2)
Listening skills	66	(1)
Motivational skills	67	(7)
Negotiation skills	74	(6)
Observation skills	80	(2)
Presentation skills	82	(5)
Questioning skills	87	(4)
Rapport skills	91	(4)
Reflection skills	95	(5)
Training skills for IT	100	(2)
The participants	102	(13)
Introduction	102	(1)
Know your learners	102	(2)
Working with cultural diversity	104	(3)
Working with library staff and customers	107	(2)
Working with students	109	(4)
Working with people with special needs	113	(2)
PART 2: THE TRAINING PROCESS	115	(102)
Linking training with the needs of the library	117	(10)
Introduction	117	(1)
Developing training and staff development process	117	(4)
Identifying training needs	121	(1)
Establishing training objectives	121	(6)
Designing effective training programs	127	(10)
Introduction	127	(1)
The 4MAT approach	128	(3)
Ten fundamental design principles	131	(6)
Preparing the learning environment	137	(14)
Introduction	137	(1)
Training administration	137	(4)
The learning environment	141	(3)
Learning resources	144	(2)
Providing a safe environment	146	(3)
The trainer's kit	149	(2)
Training methods	151	(31)
Introduction	151	(1)
Action planning	152	(3)
Audiovisual aids	155	(2)
Brainstorming	157	(1)
Buzz groups	158	(1)
Case studies	158	(2)
Demonstrations	160	(2)
Discussions	162	(1)
Games	163	(3)
Learning contracts	166	(2)
Lectures	168	(1)
Mind mapping	168	(1)
Packaged learning programs	169	(1)
Practical exercises	170	(3)
Presentations	173	(1)
Question and answer sessions	174	(1)
Questioning	174	(1)
Questionnaires	175	(1)
Role plays	175	(3)
Simulations	178	(1)
Small groups	178	(1)
Snowballing	178	(1)
Stories and metaphors	179	(3)
Running learning groups	182	(23)
Introduction	182	(1)
Beginning group sessions	183	(5)
Climate building	188	(4)
Working with group processes	192	(2)
Working with challenging people	194	(3)
Dealing with unexpected situations	197	(3)
Learning transfer	200	(1)
Ending group sessions	201	(4)
Evaluating training sessions	205	(12)
Introduction	205	(1)
Purpose of evaluation	205	(1)
Approaches to evaluation	206	(1)
Evaluating the running of a training program	207	(1)
Evaluating the training event	208	(6)
Results of evaluation	214	(3)
PART 3: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR LIBRARY TRAINERS	217	(12)
Continuing professional development	219	(10)
Introduction	219	(1)
Learning through training practice	219	(5)
Learning through other activities	224	(2)
Finally	226	(3)
Appendix: Resources	229	(6)
Sample training resources	229	(1)
Organizations	230	(1)
References	231	(4)
Index	235	(4)
About the author and North American editor	239