Staff Training
and
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on the job
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Thank YOU for Linking by.
Please NOTE!
Some classes, or tutorials linked here may have expired or no longer be offered. Please check at each site, for the latest updates and offerings.

As websites often come and go, some urls listed here may have changed or been removed from their servers.
You have a couple of options to try before giving up on finding a particular resource.
Use the wayback maching at http://www.archive.org - place the exact url in the wayback machine search box, the machine will find any archived versions of the page that are available.

Also try going to the base url, and doing a search, if the site offers a site search.
I have often been successful finding lost content by doing searches using Google
on a unique phrase or combination of phrase and author of a webpage 
that isn't available from a certain url.
Many times it is moved to another directory, on the website's host server.
Example:
when you see a url that is long such as:
www.sitename.edu/directory1/directory2/anotherone/pagename.html
you can try searching "pagename.html" and combine it with the "school name" 
or page name/title on page, to see if it was moved to directory4

The  American Library Association's new library website design, has made many of the links that are on my site, as well as many others, had to ALA pages, now leading to "page not found" messages. 
And their search engine is less than desirable, if you should have a problem, 
finding information on their site that you need for training, please contact them (the webmaster team).

Here are some ALA page links of interest:
PDF documents
Is Your Training successful
http://www.ala.org/ala/clenert/newsletter/0902.pdf
Online Staff Training
http://www.ala.org/ala/clenert/newsletter/0602.pdf
Library & Information Technology Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/lita/litahome.htm
ALCTS
http://www.ala.org/ala/alcts/ALCTS.htm
AASL online continuing education opportunities for school library media professionals.
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aasleducation/onlinecontinuing/onlinecontinuing.htm



LIBRARY STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

Visit WebJunction.org
Excerpt quoted from website:
WebJunction is an online community where library staff meet to share ideas, 
solve problems, take online courses.
http://www.webjunction.org/do/Home



Staff today are assuming New Roles in Libraries
it is important that we each: Receive the "Training" and "Support" to Aquire the Necessary Skills these New Jobs require.

This page lists some of the resources that may be useful for your development on the job.
Some courses may be available to anyone, some require fees, some may only be available to
members of certain groups or organizations.
Others may just be useful for you to view online and learn on your own, at your own pace.

If you have a computer at home, and an internet connection, you may decide to study different
areas of library work, on your own. Sometimes we may find an area that we were unfamiliar with
and learn more and perhaps decide to pursue further education or training in a particular area of 
library work. It is also helpful to learn more about what co-workers do, and learn some of the lingo,
and procedures, etc. 

I realize that for some - learning on your own, from home, may not be appropriate
and/or possible. But if your own workplace does not provide continuing education opportunities,
please consider these links and resources for your own training and development.

Related Notes:
See the online educational links for Library Technicians degree programs, as well
as online MLS degree program links on the library jobs & more page(s).
http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/libjobs.html#schools

I also list on the Online Learning sites pages, many links  for Free or
inexpensive learning web sites for computer technology, software and much more.

Books to consider purchasing for future programming:

Staffing for Results A Guide to Working Smarter
ISBN: 0838908268   |  June 2002
Mayo, Diane and Jeanne Goodrich  for the Public Library Association
Chapter 6: PDF document
"Act on What You Learn"
You've done your workload analysis and have all the statistics you need. What's next? You need to put all that data to use in improving productivity and reallocating staff, and making changes that might be scary to some staff. 
Chapter 6 is the how-to-communicate and how to implement necessary changes chapter.

Coaching in the Library: A Management Strategy for Achieving Excellence
Metz, Ruth
Chapter 2: PDF
"The Effective Coach"
In this chapter you will learn the charactistics of an effective library coach, including "Listening to Understand," "Being Observant and Discerning," and "Giving Feedback Effectively."
 

Teaching Technology: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians
By D. Scott Brandt
1-55570-426-3 . 2002
**Designed for Librarians who are going to teach technology to "patrons", but useful for helping your 
staff understand technology as well. Design & Hold instruction for "staff", before trying it out on the patrons.



Interesting reading:
Read this Report of the ALA LSSIRT - 2000
Final Report from the ALA SSIRT Task Force on
Access to Continuing Education & Training Opportunities, March 2000.
**PDF File**
www.ala.org/ssirt/conteduc.pdf

Read: ALA-APA Certification Task Force
Certification of Library Technical Assistants
www.ala-apa.org/certtflta.html

Also on the COLT resource website
American Library Association Committee on Education
Task Force for Review of the Criteria for
Programs to Prepare Library Technical Assistants / 1999
colt.ucr.edu/alaedu.html

See: A Position Paper on Skill Certification for Library/Media Support Staff
From the Council on Library/Media Technicians
colt.ucr.edu/coltcert.html

Skills for new Information Professionals:
The SKIP Project (A United Kingdom project - data from 1997-98)
www.ukoln.ac.uk/services/elib/papers/other/skip/finalpt2.html
Very interesting data compiled:
2.5 The Changing Roles of Paraprofessional Staff and Library Assistants
2.6 Skills issues for paraprofessionals and library assistants
2.7 Training issues for Paraprofessionals and Library Assistants

Training comes in all sizes, availabilty,
and costs.
You can take responsibility for your own education.
If you want to Learn, Grow and Enjoy your job more fully:
Seek support from other staffers
through Listservs, Local Associations & Support Staff organizations etc.
Promote & Suggest ideas for Local Workshops and Conferences
and use the ONLINE links found here
and from your own Online experiences.

Also consider putting your own ONLINE Tutorials together
and share with us all
The more Library staffs know, the more they know!!

Interesting reading
Staff Training & Development Programs in the Library Environment
Completed by Angie L. Gerrard
**note this is an archived version of the page**
www.slis.ualberta.ca/cap00/alg1/staff.htm

Power Point Presentation
Designing a Library Staff Training Program
Rosalind Tedford
www.wfu.edu/Library/presentations/stafftraining/stafftraining.ppt

Interesting article by Roy Tennant
The Virtual Library Foundation: Staff Training and Support
escholarship.cdlib.org/rtennant/ITAL.html

Other online articles:
Implementing Weekly Issue Desk Staff Training Sessions
at the Library and Learning Centre,
University of Bath

IT Staff Training: A Program for a Rising Tide of Change
Abstract excerpt from website
This paper (PDF file) describes a program at the University of New Mexico 
managed by the Computer and Information Resources Technology 
organization to improve staff ability to manage rapid technological change,
bring new people quickly up to speed, and reduce and manage training costs. 
The program is assisting staff confronting these challenges by dedicating staff t
o training coordination, developing cross-team standards, and supporting a variety of training methods. 
www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/CMR9720.pdf

Federal Computer Week online articles
E-Learning aimed at Librarians
www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2002/0923/web-learn-09-24-02.asp

Maryland libraries using online training
www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2002/0520/web-lib-05-24-02.asp

E-learning no quick study
Inadequate funding and technology are common problems
www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2002/0422/mgt-learn-04-22-02.asp

SPEC Kit 224
Staff Training and Development
June 1997

Example online of a University's
Library Staff Training and Development Committee: Policy and Functions Statement
www.library.sfsu.edu/general/lam/lam2.8.html

Book to consider for purchase, for your Library's own reference:

Staff Development: A Practical Guide
ISBN: 0838908012
Publisher: American Library Association
Pub. Date: April 2001


Please email me if you have links to add!
mary@librarysupportstaff.com


  • New or Current Course/training offerings
  • General Sources for Staff Training
  • Articles/Presentions to read
  • Call Number Training
  • Internet & Digital Literacy Training
  • Customer Service Training
  • Dealing with Problem Patrons
  • Free Online Courses for self development business skills
  • Book Suggestions for Training & Staff Development
  • Library Supervision Resources - Managing "Student" Employees
  • Miscellaneous Resources
  • Reference & Reference Interview Training
  • Library Job Competencies
  • Library Job Descriptions
    Library & Information Science Journals(Check TOC's for training info articles online)
    Related webpages for staff FYI :
    Funding your Library Education (*find me the $$)
    Strategic Planning Resources
    Outsourcing in Libraries, Tech Services, Time Clock Software options; 
    Popular listservs to subscribe to, Creating your own list or Library Newsletter;
    Library Signage, Marketing Libraries
    School Library Resources

    Take Free Online Personality & Career Interest Tests
    4personaltest.html
     

    Visit LibraryU
    and see how the Illinois Library System is using WebCT, to create online free courses for patrons and librarians.
    www.libraryu.org/

    New Mexico State University Library
    Notable Library Instruction Sites: Teaching Tips & Tutorials
    http://lib.nmsu.edu/instruction/librarians_sites.htm
    Links for Librarians who are teaching, Library Users: Information Literacy,
    but useful for showing Library Staff best practices
    and how to's using the internet for doing research, and more.



    LIS Continuing Education via the Internet 

    The winter roster of LIS continuing education workshops delivered wholly via the Internet is now available from the University at Buffalo, NY library school.
      A computer with Internet access and a Web browser are all that's needed to access these self-paced instructional modules, accessible 24 hours a day, 7days a week during the posting period. 
    New workshops have been added covering serials cataloging, proposing & surviving new library technologies,
    XML, and constructing database driven web sites. 
    All workshop topics:
    Cataloging:
    *Sleuthing Serials: Serials Cataloging in Reverse
    Computers - Networking:
    *Basic Networking & Operating Systems for Librarians
    *Proposing & Surviving New Library Technologies
    Government Information/Documents:
    *Documents Jump Start
    *Legislative Research
    *Regulations
    Public Libraries: Readers' Services:
    *Genre Fiction in Public Libraries
    *Readers' Advisory Services
    Web Design - Internet Technologies:
    *Constructing Usable, Accessible Web sites from Scratch
    *Introduction to XML
    *Designing and Constructing Database Driven Web Sites

    Full descriptions of workshops can be accessed from
    http://informatics.buffalo.edu/faculty/robinson/ce/descriptions.htm.
    Course modules are posted on the Web and accessed via a password sent by E-mail to registrants. Participants proceed at their own pace through course modules accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the posting period. 
    Questions and assignments are fielded by the instructor via a Web Bulletin Board or by E-mail (the Sleuthing Serials workshop also has optional Blackboard Virtual Classroom sessions).

    These non-credit courses do not require enrollment at the University at Buffalo and will not appear on university transcripts. They accrue Continuing Education credits BB CEUs.

    For more information contact Judith Robinson, Department of Library and
    Information Studies, School of Informatics, 534 Baldy Hall, Buffalo, NY
    14260-1020; (716) 645?2412 ext. 1166; FAX (716) 645-3775; E-mail:
    lisrobin@buffalo.edu;
    http://informatics.buffalo.edu/faculty/Robinson/index.htm 



    National Medical Association (NMA) NLM Database Training
    Excerpt quoted from website
    http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/outreach/outreachnma.html
    The NMA, at the national and regional levels, has collaborated with the NLM to conduct online database training at the six NMA regional meetings held each year. The objective of this project is to improve the ability of NMA's members to use NLM's resources to 1) remain current in their area of specialty, 2) conduct medical research, 3) involve their patients in clinical trials, and 4) provide consumer level information to their patients. NLM staff and contractors will conduct training at these meetings.

    The National Medical Association is on the web at: http://www.nmanet.org
    See also:
    National Training Center and Clearinghouse
    http://nnlm.gov/mar/online/


    ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH LIBRARIES - ARL
    Excerpts quoted from individual websites
    ARL/OLMS Online Lyceum web-based courses in 

    Please note: All online workshops are capped at 30 participants.
    Find out more at the ARL site www.arl.org

    DIALOG - 
    User Guides
    User Guides provide a wealth of information to all users on the features
    and functionality of the various product interfaces. 
    Online Courses
    http://training.dialog.com/onlinecourses/
    Free  Training
    Free Practice Searching
    Use the free ONTAP (Online Training and Practice) databases 
    to practice your searches and hone your skills without incurring an online charge.
    http://training.dialog.com/sem_info/ontap_pw.html
     



    Take a look at this innovative program:
    LibQUAL+
    Excerpts quoted from website:
    LibQUAL+(TM) is a research and development project undertaken by ARL in collaboration with Texas A&M University as one of the ARL New Measures Initiatives. The project is defining and measuring library service quality across institutions and creating useful quality assessment tools for libraries.
    http://www.libqual.org/
    The ARL New Measures Initiative projects are emerging from the ARL Statistics and Measurement Program. They seek to develop innovative ways for libraries to describe their contributions to their institutions. LibQUAL+(TM) has financial support from the U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) through September 2003. http://www.libqual.org/
    See latest events & training opportunities
    www.libqual.org/Events/index.cfm

    Read online
    ARL Bimonthly Report 223
    August 2002
    Service Quality Evaluation Academy Is a Success

    ARL Online Lyceum Course Calendar - these are for Fee course offerings
    www.arl.org/training/lyceumcal.html

    Online "Collection Development" Course:
    Excerpt quoted from website:
    Arizona Libraries
    www.dlapr.lib.az.us/cdt/index.htm
    Collection Development Training (CDT) provides practical training in how to perform collection development activities in public libraries. Each activity is presented as a separate section with links to helpful Internet sites, lists of books and articles for further reading, and definitions of key terms. While this training may be useful to librarians in a variety of libraries, this site is intended primarily for librarians and other library staff working in Arizona's small and rural public libraries. CDT is sponsored by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. 

    FUNDAMENTALS OF ACQUISITIONS
    A four week Web-based course 
    Excerpt Quoted from the site:
    http://www.ala.org/alcts/now/foa_register.html
    The Fundamentals of Acquisitions focuses on what you need to know 
    about the basics of acquiring monographs and serials: goals and methods; 
    financial management of materials budgets; and 
    relationships among acquisitions librarians, library booksellers, 
    subscription agents, and publishers. 
    Participants will receive a broad overview of the operations involved in 
    acquiring materials after the selection decision is made. 
    Class segments are geared to cover issues of interest to staff in all types of libraries. 
    Course cost: $95
    http://www.ala.org/alcts/

    Online Learning from OCLC Institute

    MindLeaders
    Information technology is a part of everyone's job... now.
    No matter where you work in the library.
    Add new skills, and add new value to your library.
    MindLeaders' catalog of more than 600 online technical courses
    delivers what you need, when you need it, at home or at work.
    Course "Groups" - *Note*: prices are for the courses within each "group":
    End User Desktop Computing - $ 55 for 1 year access - all courses 
    Technical General - $110 for 1 yr access - all courses
    Technical MCSE $110 for 1 yr access - all courses
    Technical Web Development $110 for 1 yr access - all courses

    Current Awareness
    Application of New Technologies in Libraries
    The K.U. Leuven Central Library distributes a weekly list 
    of journal articles references
    pertaining to the application of new technologies in libraries. 
    http://lib.ua.ac.be/WGLIB/ATTEND/

    Here is a FREE online resource that Library Staff will find useful:

    Libraries for All! How to start & run a basic library. 
    by Laura Wendell, c. 1998 
    Find it at: 
    www.rtpnet.org/wlp/publications/lfa/1cover.htm

    This is a useful article to print out,
    to help train staff that might need to assist a patron:
    How to help someone use a computer, by Phil Agre
    dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/how-to-help.html

    Find other articles by Phil Agre posted in The National Observer
    (some "oldies" but goodies can be found)
    dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/tno.html


    Staff Training - Resources on the Net



So!  You Want to be a  Library Technician

Library Tools.Com...for training Library Staff



STAFF TRAINING - Online 
Some may require fees, or that you belong to a certain orgainzation. 
Some may also be tutorials available for anyone to view online. 
Print out useful tutorials and file in 3 ring notebooks for you to use for future on the job reference.

I Created a NEW Page for:
Reference Training & Reference Interview Resources Online
(Note: LibrarySupportStaff.com sites
Listing of Internet "Reference" Resources)
See too:
School Library 101 A learning experience for new libraryemployees
I have resource links for School Library librarians and staff - see 4schools.html
Webpages 101 - learn how to make a simple webpage
I have resources for website creators too, see webpubhelp.html

Core Competencies for Library Staff
from Rochester, NY Public Libraries 
For More Resources on Library Staff Competencies
See these pages of LibrarySupportStaff.com

OCLC is beginning to develop online training 
Check out their current  course offerings:
http://www.oclc.org/institute/elearning/
and
www.oclc.org/institute/elearning/other_elearning.htm

Course available online for Catalogers:
Cataloging Internet Resources using MARC21 and AACR2 
www.oclc.org/institute/elearning/oll/CIRuMA/index.htm



Distance Education Opportunity
  Fundamentals of Acquisitions 
 (4 week webbased course)
Designed for librarians and paraprofessionals new to acquisitions, 
Class segments are geared to cover issues of interest to staff in all types of libraries. 
this Web-based course from ALCTS covers the following five topics:

Goals of Aquisitions Services 
Methods and Basic Functions of Acquisitions 
Vendors 
Ethics 
Budget/Finance and Accounting 
Instructors are Trisha L. Davis and Carol P. Diedrichs of Ohio State University.
Course Format: 
The course is composed of self-paced modules with facilitated interaction 
led by the instructors. It has predetermined start and end dates and 
includes interaction with the instructors and your classmates.
It also uses e-mail, and a course bulletin board to facilitate class participation. 
Contact Hours:  8 hours 
Cost: $95
For more information: www.ala.org/alcts/
This information was found (about the course) on the course listing on
this website: Technical Trends
library.umsmed.edu/ttrends/tt-15-3.html
Which lists other online conferences, and courses for
Library Technical Services Staffs.
Also see the online publications & resources of ALCTS
The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services
www.ala.org/ala/alcts/


The Association of Research Libraries
This info is copied from ARL/OLMS Online Lyceum website:
www.arl.org/training/lyceum.html
The ARL Online Lyceum is the distance learning component of OLMS. The Lyceum is a collaborative partnership between the Association of Research Libraries' Office of Leadership and Management Services and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Library Affairs, and its purpose is to provide--via web-based learning--affordable and innovative professional development opportunities that support academic and research libraries by actively assisting them to optimize and refine staff talents and skills. Online Lyceum courses address challenges currently faced by staff in libraries, information technology, and higher education. 

http://www.arl.org/olms/olms_cal.html


Check out the North Suburban Library System (Chicago area) Online Continuing Ed Courses
all require a fee.

See also the Chicago Library System Online training opportunities:
Such as "Making Tracks to a Dynamic Library Website"
*Note** if you are interested in  creating Library Websites and /or
resources see:
the 4libwebmasters.html page



A few Examples of other
Library Training Programs for Paraprofessionals/or Library staffs
Note: Some of these may not be Internet Based Training
but they will provide information about the Programs.
**See also Related Links** Not exactly "training"
From a Houston Texas - Library Information Services Website
http://it.springbranchisd.com/sbisd_library/default.htm
Library Staff Issues Links
Leadership Collaboration & Technology Links
Collection Development Links/Resources

** Online Learning from OCLC Institute

MindLeaders
Information technology is a part of everyone's job... now.
No matter where you work in the library.
Add new skills, and add new value to your library.
MindLeaders' catalog of more than 600 online technical courses
delivers what you need, when you need it, at home or at work.
Course "Groups" - *Note*: prices are for the courses within each "group":
End User Desktop Computing - $ 55 for 1 year access - all courses 
Technical General - $110 for 1 yr access - all courses
Technical MCSE $110 for 1 yr access - all courses
Technical Web Development $110 for 1 yr access - all courses

See training tools/services available from SOLINET
www.solinet.net
Especially in area of "Preservation" - Documents/Publications to download
See too: 
Excerpt quoted from SOLINET site
NEW! Paraprofessional Certification Online: SOLINET and Lexington (KY) Community College partner in offering online coursework at Kentucky in-state tuition rate. If you are employed as a library paraprofessional or are preparing for a paraprofessional job in a SOLINET member library, this may be just what you're looking for!
http://www.solinet.net/

Library Staff Training Resources - Public Services
Put together for Univ. of Arizona LIS Class (1997)
**this is a web archived link**
www.sir.arizona.edu/sp97/560/web/StaffTrng/g10main.html

From Australia
Professional Development | Public Library Staff Training - Resources
www.slq.qld.gov.au/publib/profdev/stafftrain.htm

From the United Kingdom
Public Library Networking : UKOLN Presentations
www.ukoln.ac.uk/public/present/




Miscellaneous Resources for training library staff in Library Technologies
(Note - additional links on these topics may be found throughout LibrarySupportStaff.com)

OCLC Support & Training Resources

Internet Library for Librarians
A comprehensive Web database designed to provide 
a one-stop shopping center for librarians to 
locate Internet resources related to their profession 

LibrarySupportStaff.com's :
Resource Links for Teaching  / Bibliographic Instruction & Information Literacy
includes links to How to create Online Instruction Courses, & Presentations
Lists many online training resources and tutorial links.

Training Catalogers in the Electronic Era
Essential Elements Of A Training Program For Entry-Level Professional Catalogers

For Educators/Teachers Staff Development (may not be Library related)
A Library of Information for Educators 
This library contains articles that originally appeared in one of the
NSDC publications -- Results, Tools for Schools or the Journal of Staff Development.

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Training for Internet and Digital Literacy

"Digital literacy is the ability to understand
and use information in multiple formats
and from a wide range of formats.."
Laura Larsson
Read her
Digital Literacy Checklist
See How YOU measure up!

The Virtual Library Foundation: Staff Training and Support

Digital-literacy.com

A Primer on Digital Literacy
Adapted from the book Digital Literacy by Paul Gilster (John Wiley & Sons, 1997)

Interesting reading:
this Online Article
from the July 2000 issue of "Computer User"

"Master the Right Web Skills"
Read what is "hot" in todays job Market

Critical Thinking in an Online World
Debra Jones | Internet Librarian
Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA
http://www.library.ucsb.edu/untangle/jones.html

LITA's Tool Kit for Expert Web Searchers

Need to brush up on your
Search Engine skills - Read this
May 2000 "Searcher" article about using
Specialized Search Engines..For Specific "Search Requests".

Training for Public Library Staff
Netskills has provided a range of internet and web related training courses
for the past five years training over 15,000 individuals. 
Many of those attending this training have been staff from the library sector. 

Learn Webpage design and Website Management Skills
for Personal Sites and for Libraries

Book Title:
Teaching the internet to library staff and users:
11 ready to run workshops that work 
by William D Hollands - revised and adapted by Phil Bradley 

Remember for Technological/Computer Literacy - I have many resource links for
FREE tutorials and resources - also includes guides and 
resources for Internet Search techniques

Slide Presention Online
Can Libraries Compete? Technology Trends and E-Business
http://www.sls.lib.il.us/infotech/presentations/tech_trends_briefing/index.htm

MORE
Miscellaneous Learning: (Excerpts quoted from individual websites)

AccuNet/AP Multimedia Archive USER  GUIDE - Print out for using and navigating  this Archive
The AccuNet/AP Multimedia Archive is an electronic library containing the Associated Press' current year's photo report and a selection of images from their vast negative and print library dating from the 1840s.
http://ap.accuweather.com/apphoto/index_userguide_general.html

OVID Documentation
Get the Most Out of Ovid
http://www.ovid.com/site/help/index.jsp?top=28
Whether you’re a first-time Ovid customer or an experienced user, 
Ovid’s training and help options can make using Ovid products smooth and efficient.

PUBMED
"PubMed Tutorial", the Web-based learning program that will show you 
how to search PubMed®, the National Library of Medicine's (NLM™) journal literature search system. 
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/pubmed_tutorial/m1001.html

SOLINET E-cademy: Web-Based Training
In order to meet the changing training needs in the Southeast, 
SOLINET continues to develop its new Web-based training program
http://www.solinet.net/workshops/workshop_templ.cfm?doc_id=728

Using the RDN Virtual Training Suite in library information skills training
Ideas and training materials from LSE library that might be adapted for use by other library and information workers who provide information skills training for large numbers of students.
http://www.vts.rdn.ac.uk/case_studies/cs_lib_infoskills.html




Google
Google
Google
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Customer Service in Libraries
and Other Videos for
Training Staff, or for your
Staff Development Programs

Customer Service Videos:
The American Library Association has addressed
the specific issues of customer service for libraries
in five videos.
Some of these videos may be ordered from the
Library Video Network Catalog
These short, informative presentations demonstrate
techniques that your staff can adopt and use
in daily interactions with patrons.
The videos will liven up any staff meeting.

Controlling the Confrontation:
Arch Lustberg on Effective Communication Techniques
In this 43-minute presentation Arch Lustberg demonstrates
how to communicate effectively with patrons.
Instead of reacting to a situation,
he demonstrates the communication techniques
that allow the librarian to control a situation
and thus avoid confrontation. 

Customer Friendly Libraries in a High Tech Age
This 25-minute videotape illustrates
how to help the community
to learn new technology,
while we are still learning it ourselves.

Does This Completely Answer Your Question?
By demonstrating the four-step process in conducting
a reference interview,
this 16-minute video contrasts the correct method
of conducting a reference interview with the incorrect
way to determine a customer’s needs.

Is the Customer Always Right?
There are situations where the answer is no,
when the librarian cannot fulfill
a patron’s request.
This 23-minute videotape illustrates a technique that
allows the librarian to say no to a patron,
and still provide good customer service. 

Total Quality Management Libraries
Using the principles of TQM,
this 25-minuite video illustrates
how libraries can deliver quality
service to patrons.

See too, this video library
Corporate America's Favorite Customer Service Video Training Library!
http://ww2.telephonedoctor.com/video.asp
Remember: to see related resources  Reference Interview training

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Article:

Assessment of Customer Service in Academic Health Care Libraries (ACSAHL): 
an instrument for measuring customer service.
Crossno JE, Berkins B, Gotcher N, Hill JL, McConoughey M, Walters M.
Bull Med Libr Assoc 2001 Apr;89(2):170-6.

Excerpt of Article:
Use of focus groups in a library's strategic planning process
J Med Libr Assoc. 2002 January; 90 (1): 2002
TRAINING STAFF IN THE USE OF THE RESULTS 

The Focus Group Project Team recognized that they would have 
to train library staff regarding
the nature of the focus group data and regarding 
appropriate responses to the data. 
Our experience showed that staff's eagerness to comply immediately with
patrons' wishes expressed during the focus group sessions would be 
much greater than if these same wishes emerged out of a 
quantitative research study. 
The narrative approach used in reporting qualitative data and 
the incorporation of direct quotes seemed to impart more
of the character and personality of the participants.

While the staff's responsiveness to our patrons' requests was laudatory,
their ready acceptance of the focus group report had a downside. 
They were eager to act upon even the most incidental suggestions,
forgetting that comments might represent the opinion of only a single individual.
Therefore, we had to educate staff to concentrate on major findings
that could be verified by other evidence or to pursue additional
research to verify minor findings rather than respond to isolated patron suggestions.
The focus group findings were simply one data set, which was intended 
to be combined with other gathered information for the purpose of developing
a new strategic plan. We did not conduct the focus groups 
to ascertain patron satisfaction or dissatisfaction with specific operations, 
resources, or services

Read full text to article:
Use of focus groups in a library's strategic planning process

To top of Page


Interesting Note from a Conference - gives good tips
on Handling Problem Patrons

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PATRONS WAS LAMA FOCUS AT ILA 2000
fp.uni.edu/valente/public/newsl1.html
**Please Note: Above link is only available through the Wayback Machine**
LAMA’s guest speaker at ILA 2000 in Ames was Mark R. Willis
author of Dealing with Difficult People in the Library (Chicago: ALA, 1999). 
Willis is the Public Information Officer, Dayton & Montgomery County Library, Dayton, Ohio. 
Willis headlined the Pre-conference LAMA co-sponsored with the Iowa Library Trustees Association
on the many types of problem patrons who frequent our libraries and how to most effectively work with them. 

In a humorous and highly entertaining way, Willis related the most important factors
in dealing effectively with difficult library patrons: 

  • Listen effectively and use good communication skills to figure out the problem.
  • Gain control of the situation by first gaining control of ourselves. 
  • Simple techniques like using a voice that is progressively softer than the patron’s can often diffuse anger.
  • Keep your sense of humor; don’t take angry comments or bizarre behavior personally.
  • Make customers happy when you can reasonably do so. 
  • If you don’t have the authority to meet a reasonable request, pass it on to upper management.
  • Make sure staff work together effectively to avert or make the best of bad situations.
  • The safety of staff and patrons always comes ahead of heroic measures to protect property
  • Leave the potentially dangerous situations to the police and security officers. 


Read full report (link only available using Wayback Machine archived copy)
fp.uni.edu/valente/public/newsl1.html

Book title to consider for purchase for your own Library's reference:

Helping the Difficult Library Patron:
New Approaches to Examining and Resolving a Long-Standing and Ongoing Problem
Kwasi Sarkodie-Mensah (Editor)
ISBN: 0789017318
Publisher: Haworth Press
Pub. Date: July 2002


PLEASE NOTE
Remember if you should ever find a link (linking from this site or any other)
that is no longer available at the past url.
You may want to try these 2 options, to try and access the former content of the pages.

Use the Wayback Machine at www.archive.org.
Copy and paste or type in the exact URL (no spelling errors or incorrect entries) of the URL
as you last saw it, or have bookmarked or as it appeared on the webpage you linked from
and put in the address box of the Wayback Machine.
If the page was archived, you will be presented with dated versions
of the individual page. Choose, from the versions till you find
the content you were looking for.
The Wayback Machine

Another option if you are trying to access a page from the results of a Google Search
and receive an error or are told the page is no longer available
Go back to search results and click on the "cached" version of the page
This will take you to the page as it appeared the last time that Google spidered the site.

Google
Search WWW Search librarysupportstaff.com 


Other Websites that  list - how they handle Problem Patrons

Problem Patrons & Situations
http://mercury.southern.cc.oh.us/Home/bedwards/situations.html

Problem Patron Policy 
http://www.neilsa.org/policy_manual/problempatrons.html

PDF file
GUIDELINES TO RESPOND TO PROBLEM BEHAVIOR
www.library.yale.edu/lhr/policies/PROBPAT10.pdf 

Book to consider:
It Comes with the Territory
Handling Problem Situations in Libraries
Anne M. Turner
ISBN: 0899508448
Publisher: McFarland & Company
Pub. Date: March  1993
From the Publisher
The mission of libraries is to meet the information needs of the people they serve—
but daily, sticky situations arise that make this tough to do. 
Reports of peepers, use of the library by the homeless for sleeping, encounters
with offensive personal hygiene, skateboarding in the stacks, the threat of violence, 
one’s role as a babysitter for latchkey children, censorious complaints: 
Is there an upswing or are we just more sensitized? 
How do libraries meet these demands?
From the perspective of a working director, this is a commonsense guide to setting fair 
and appropriate behavior rules and training staff in how to implement 
them evenhandedly and with reasonably good humor.
Policies for exhibit and meeting room use; issues surrounding street people,
the mentally ill, and substance abusers, sexual deviancy and
parental child abuse in the library; community censorship; 
general security; and unaccompanied children,
including protecting them and seeing to their emergency medical needs, are among the topics. 
Emphasis is placed on staff training and writing effective manuals.

See also these websites that have listings 
of "Rules for Acceptable Patron Behavior"
Rules for Patrons

To  Top of Page



SUPERVISOR /Manager Resources

For Supervisors of Paraprofessionals
or for those
who "supervise" others
Read this article Online
Supervising Library Paraprofessionals

New book out Late 2002:
The Practical Library Manager
by Bruce E. Massis
Haworth Press; ISBN: 0789017652; c. 2002

Practical Strategies for Library Managers 
Joan Giesecke
ISBN: 0838907938
American Library Association c.2000
From Booknews 
Giesecki (dean of libraries, U. of Nebraska-Lincoln) offers library managers practical
and innovative strategies geared toward setting goals for the department and 
delivering first-rate library services. Mentoring, team-building, decision making,
taking charge, and working and communicating with staff at all levels 
are among the secrets she reveals. 
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

People Skills for Library Managers:
A Common Sense Guide for Beginners
by Lucile Wilson, Lucille Wilson
Libraries Unlimited; ISBN: 1563081431; c.1996


From a Conference for the Oregon Library Association
Read the online presentations from
Learning To Lead From Every Position:
How Multnomah County Library's Team Developers
Build Critical Skills Throughout The Organization
OLA, March 29, 2001
Related: the Multnomah County Library - "Performance Management"
webpage

LibrarySupportStaff.com pages of interest
resource links forperformance evaluations.
and resource links :building trust on the job  and  dealing with poor managers or bosses

Overview of General "Supervisory Skills" and Online Training Resources
Part of Basic Guide to Management & Supervision.

The Online Small Business Administration : Women's Business Center
has some excellent resource articles on Management
Such as:
Leading vs Managing.
Understanding your communtication style.
How to motivate your employees.
How to resolve conflicts.
How to write a policies & procedures manual
Staying alive - by staying informed.
What are you looking for? Writing effective job descriptions.
Important structures of successful meetings.
Telephone skills for you & your employees.
Time can't be managed - but you can organize & manage yourself.
Visit the site and explore!
http://www.onlinewbc.gov/docs/manage/

Managing the Academic Library - Cataloging Dept. in Changing Times
A State of the Art - Bibliography by Brenda Parris Sibley.

Being a Supervisor or Manager, sometimes  means that you need to find creative solutions,
to make fair, common sense  decisions, that work for all the Library personnel and/or dept.
that you manage.
Some decisions may not be "popular", but if applied with fairness, and understading of the
situation, most employees will accept the decision.
Your best option is to "listen" to your employees that you manage, and you must be as willing,
to accept change,  as you expect  them to.

LibrarySupportStaff.com pages of interest
resource links forperformance evaluations.
and resource links :building trust on the job  and  dealing with poor managers or bosses

Example: University of Calgary Libraries Flex Time Work Plan for Support Staff
Find the criteria, etc.  that the Library used to  set up a work plan that accomodates,
different work patterns for staffing the Library.
NOTE! this is a Microsoft WORD document
http://www.ucalgary.ca/library/staff/flex2001.doc

From About.com's Human Resources pages:
What "Great Managers" Do Differently

More from About.com's Human Resources pages:
Staff Training & Development Links
And
Policies,Handbooks & Procedures
And
Labor/Union Relations Links
**Please note: the About.com pages concern
the General Workplace Environment - not Libraries**

Conflict Management in the Workplace
Staff and Supervisors often have to deal
with workplace issues, involving "conflicts"
Visit some of these sites that help
with Suggestions on how to deal with
Conflict and the Concept of Conflict Management.
Conflict Management / Resolution Resources

Ideas for establishing Good Co-worker Relationships

If you are involved in the hiring or staffing & interview process of your library
consider these resources:
*note these are not necessarily "library employee" focused
96 Great Interview Questions to Ask Before You Hire
by Paul Falcone
ISBN: 081447909X
Publisher: AMACOM
Pub. Date: September  1996

The Manager's Book of Questions
751 Great Interview Questions for Hiring the Best Person
by John Kador
ISBN: 007034311X
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional
Pub. Date: March  1997

General Interview Questions
http://www.indiana.edu/~libpers/interview.html

101 Library Interview Questions to ask
http://www.geocities.com/aer_mcr/libjob/interview.html

Interview Questions You Should Expect
http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/progsupt/jobsrvce/interviews-questions.htm

Human Resources: HRNext.com
Recruiting Staff & Retention articles & Resources
http://www.hrnext.com/content/cats.cfm?cats_id=11

Also see my resource links for Staff Appraisal/Evaluations



FREE Courses Online - Not with a  Library focus - but of interest to
anyone who is interested in self development  skills
Sign up for FREE online course *Note this were accessed in 2002**
IGES quality online courses are FREE, easy to use, and effective. 
**And don't forget about the ed4you pages with other Free Learning opportunities**

Examples of Current Courses:

How to Structure Online Courses and Lessons 
This eCourse targets people who want to author an eCourse for the first time 
and don't know where to start. It shows you a basic structure of a lesson which 
you can refer when you author your own lessons. 
It highlights IGES' Course Maker course authoring software. 
Best of all, BOTH the course and use of the software are FREE!
This course is free.
  Course Targets: Educators, researchers, university students 
  Time required: 30 mins 

Implementing E-Learning Projects 
E-Learning distance education projects are an 
effective way to train, educate and learn,
but require careful planning and preparation.
This course clearly and concisely outlines the steps involved 
with implementing e-Learning projects.
The course comes complete with a Project Plan Template, 
letting you get started immediately.
This course is FREE
  Course Targets: NPOs, Managers. 
  Time required: 90 mins 

Presentation Skills
Whether you're a manager, a clerk, a researcher, or a leader, 
you will need effective presentation skills to communicate your ideas, 
plans, and to persuade others. 
Presentation skills are essential, but widely lacking. 
This eCourse sets out techniques needed to make great presentations with impact. 
This course is FREE
  Course Targets: persons who need to make presentations to persuade others. 
  Time required: 60 mins 

Conflict Resolution 
Conflict resolution is by now recognized as a science. 
This eCourse focuses on the practical aspects of the process.
What are the common steps in conflict resolution?
How can you resolve a conflict? What is the real goal of conflict resolution? 
These are the questions answered by the course. 
It is also a particularly useful course in understanding how to deal with difficult people. 
This course is FREE
  Course Targets: government and corporate managers, lecturers 
  Time required: 45 mins 

Consensus Building 
Consensus building requires determination, but also calls for a plan and strategic positioning. 
This eCourse provides a comprehensive guide to commonly used techniques for 
setting defined goals, putting in place the processes required, and ultimately building consensus 
on a way forward. The principles can be applicable to many other situations, 
and will give you ideas of how to proceed. 
This course is FREE.
Course Targets: town planners, EO leaders, government and 
corporate managers, lecturers 
  Time required: 45 mins 

How to Write a Marketing Plan 
This course will take no more than an hour of your time, 
but give you the essence of planning a marketing strategy. 
The course is really designed for small organizations and businesses 
that want make an impact with their products or services, 
environmental or otherwise. 
The course does not consider the science of marketing, 
but rather focuses on the practical aspects of putting together 
a plan that works for you. This course is FREE
  Course Targets: Managers of small organizations and businesses 
  Time required: 60 mins 

Effective Meetings 
Meetings can work to focus energies and goals, yet many people see meetings 
as a waste of time and recources. With this course, you hold more effective meetings 
almost immediately simply by following the steps. 
The course is short and concise - saving you time! This course is FREE
  Course Targets: Anyone who participates in meetings. 
  Time required: 40 mins 

Management
The success of any organization ultimately depends on its management and people. 
Good management works to secure sustainable organizations, and is particularly 
important in the non-profit sector where resources may not be as readily available. 
This course sets out the components of good management clearly and 
concisely using an easy-to-follow system.
Managers and staff of all organizations
need to learn these skills for both effective management 
and personal development. This course is FREE
  Course Targets: Managers, Team Leaders, employees in general. 
  Time required: 120 mins 



Book Ideas for Library Supervisors & Middle Managers

Practical Strategies for Library Managers 
Joan Giesecke
ISBN: 0838907938
Publisher: American Library Association
Pub. Date: October  2000
Recommended for anyone in a beginning management position in all types of libraries. 

Here's a good book for Library Managers to own and read:
"People Skills for Library Managers":
A Common Sense Guide for Beginners
Lucile Wilson / c. 1996 Barnes & Noble price $19.00
"Increase your effectiveness as a manager" by developing
essential interpersonal (people) skills with the creative approach
offered in this practical reference.
While not a "comprehensive" Textbook of information
this book can provide "simple" solutions
to everyday interactions with co-workers.

Managing Multiculturalism and Diversity in the Library
Principles and Issues for Administrators, Vol. 2
Mark Winston
ISBN: 0789006928
Publisher: Haworth Press, Incorporated, The
Pub. Date: January  1999

Managing Change for Library Support Staff 
Anne Goulding
ISBN: 1859722490
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing Company
Pub. Date: April  1996

So You're Going to Run a Library: A Library Management Primer
by Dave Sutton
Libraries Unlimited; ASIN: 156308306X; c.1995

Staff Management in Library and Information Work 
Peter Jordan  With Noragh Jones
ISBN: 0566075814
Publisher: Ashgate Publishing Company
Pub. Date: March  1995
Edition Desc: 3rd ed
From Booknews 
A guide for library and information center professionals and for all those involved
with the supervision and management of library and information staff. 
Sections on the working environment, motivation, workforce planning, 
staff appraisal, and staff training and development highlight technological, legal, 
and educational aspects of this evolving field. 
This third edition incorporates the changed Library Association requirements.
Includes sample forms and questionnaires. 
Distributed in the US by Ashgate. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Recruiting Library Staff : A How To-Do-It Manual for Librarians
(How to Do It Manual for Librarians, No 94)
by Kathleen Low
Paperback (July 1999) 
Neal Schuman Pub; ISBN: 1555703550 

Staff Development: A Practical Guide
ISBN: 0838908012
Publisher: American Library Association
Pub. Date: April  2001

Technical Services Management:

Guide to Collection Development and Management Administration, Organization, and Staffing
ISBN: 0810841304
Publisher: Scarecrow Press, Inc.
Pub. Date: June  2001
From the Publisher
To a new collection development librarian just learning the field or to an experience practitioner attempting to reorganize a program, the options can be confusing and contradictory. "Guide to Collection Development and Management Administration, Organization, and Staffing" provides an overview of the organizational alternatives available to libraries by addressing activities and explaining the models used in public, academic, and school libraries. It provides an overview of possible structures and indicates some of the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Integration in the Library Organization 
Christine E. Thompson
ISBN: 0789009846
Publisher: Haworth Press, 
Pub. Date: January  2000
Synopsis 
Volume 29, number 2 (1999) of the Journal of Library Administration is presented here in book form. Written for public and technical service librarians, it considers the extent to which library professionals have managed to integrate both public and technical services into a single service-providing organization. With case studies and predictions for the future, contributors discuss the changes in the profession that have contributed to the integration of the two services. They also offer suggestions for creating a environment of full staff cooperation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Introduction to Technical Services for Library Technicians 
Gary G. Forrest  Mary L. Kao 
ISBN: 0789014882
Publisher: Haworth Press, Incorporated, The
Pub. Date: June  2001

Technical Services Today and Tomorrow 
Michael Gorman
ISBN: 1563085909
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
Pub. Date: August  2000
Edition Desc: REVISED

Managing Multiculturalism and Diversity in the Library: 
Principles and Issues for Administrators
by Mark Winston (Editor)
Haworth Press; ISBN: 0789006928; c.1999 

*related books*
Staff Development: A Practical Guide
by Elizabeth Fuseler Avery (Editor), et al
Amer Library Assn Editions; ISBN: 0838908012; 3rd edition c.2001

Putting Service into Library Staff Training: A Patron-Centered Guide
(Occasional Papers/Library Administration and Management Association)
by Joanne M. Bessler
Amer Library Assn Editions; ISBN: 0838934374; c. 1994

Public Librarian's Human Resources Handbook: 
Employer Rights and Responsibilities
by David A. Baldwin
Libraries Unlimited; ISBN: 1563086182; c.1998

Renewal at the Schoolhouse: Management Ideas 
for Library Media Specialists and Administrators
Libraries Unlimited; ISBN: 0872879143; c.1993

1001 Ways to Reward Employees  *Note this is a general topic book/not "Library" specific
by Bob Nelson, Kenneth H. Blanchard (Foreword)
Workman Publishing Company; ISBN: 156305339X; c.1994

Looking Forward to Monday Morning
by Diane Hodges
Threshold Group; ISBN: 1929412037; c.2001

Evaluating Library Staff: A Performance Appraisal System
by Patricia Belcastro
Amer Library Assn Editions; ISBN: 0838907318; c.1998
*See too my resouces for staff appraisal/evaluations *

Recruitment, Retention & Restructuring: 
Human Resources in Academic Libraries: A White Paper
Amer Library Assn Editions; ISBN: 0838982093; (September 2002) 

Recruiting Library Staff: A How To-Do-It Manual for Librarians 
(How to Do It Manual for Librarians, No 94) 
by Kathleen Low
Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.; ISBN: 1555703550; c. 1999


STUDENT EMPLOYEES
Another book to consider:
for Supervising "Student" Employees
MANAGING STUDENT LIBRARY EMPLOYEES PLUS
By Michael D. Kathman and Jane M. Kathman
Library Skills Series Number 1
Berkeley, CA: Library Solutions Press, 1995 
PLUS edition (with diskettes) ISBN: 1-882208-17-X
Paper covers 
$45.00

Effective Management of Student Employment
Organizing for Student Employment in Academic Libraries
David A. Baldwin  Frances C. Wilkinson  Daniel C. Barkley
ISBN: 1563086883
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, Incorporated
Pub. Date: October  1999

Training Student Library Staff 
Leslie S. Farmer
ISBN: 0938865560
Publisher: Linworth Publishing, Incorporated
Pub. Date: February  1997
Review - from School Library Journal
The first section includes job descriptions, ideas for student tasks,
recruiting hints, and discipline guidelines. 
The balance of the book provides specific learning experiences, 
ranging from shelving to using Netscape. 
Each lesson is well organized, with objectives, demonstration ideas,
follow-up activities, and evaluation. 
Helpful graphics, an eye-pleasing "bullet" format, and a multitude of ideas
for student projects make this a very useful guide. 
Each library has unique resources, but this book offers enough general information 
to make it a necessity for any school library using studentor adult volunteers.
Susan McCaffrey, Sturgis (MI) Middle School
 

Presentation:
Student Assistant Training in a Multi-Library System
Poster Session presented at the American Library Association Annual Conference by
Terri L. Holtze and Rebecca E. Maddox, University of Louisville
Date: July 7, 2000
Resources are Listed

Related:
Library Volunteers-Worth the Effort!: A Program Manager's Guide
by Sally Gardner Reed
McFarland & Company; ISBN: 0786400048; c.1994
 

And read this Online article:
Improving "People Skills" takes patience & practice

Implementing Weekly Issue Desk Staff 
Training Sessions at the 
Library and Learning Centre
University of Bath 

Remember - The More You Know..The More You Know!

To  Top of Page



Book Ideas: Staff Development / Staff Training

Staff Development: A Practical Guide
ISBN: 0838908012
Publisher: American Library Association
Pub. Date: April  2001
Edition Desc: 3RD

Library Training for Staff and Customers 
Sara Ramser Ramser Beck 
ISBN: 0789009838
Publisher: Haworth Press
Pub. Date: May  2001

Training Skills for Information and Library Staff
by B. Allan
Paperback (February 2000) 
Library Association Publications Ltd; ISBN: 185604372X 

Developing Information and Library Staff through Work-Based Learning 
Barbara Allan
ISBN: 1856042812
Publisher: Library Association Publishing
Pub. Date: March  1999

Developing Library Staff for the 21st Century, Vol. 17 
Maureen Sullivan (Editor)
ISBN: 0789000679
Publisher: Haworth Press, Incorporated, The
Pub. Date: June  1996

Staff Development in Academic Libraries: Present Practice & Future Challenges 
Margaret Oldroyd (Editor)
ISBN: 1856041743
Publisher: Bernan Associates
Pub. Date: January  1996

Improving Library and Information Services through Self-Assessment
A Guide for Senior Managers and Staff Developers
Margaret Evans  Bob Usherwood
ISBN: 1856043363
Publisher: Library Association Publishing
Pub. Date: September  1999

Successful Staff Development : A how-to-Do-It Manual 
Marcia Trotta
ISBN: 1555701809
Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Incorporated
Pub. Date: November  1995
From Library Journal 
There are many approaches libraries can take toward staff development. 
Unfortunately, simply ignoring the topic seems a tempting option for many. 
Library manager and consultant Trotta encourages managers to overcome this temptation
by offering an excellent guide outlining the necessary steps to take 
in the implementation of an effective staff development program.
The author's experience is in public libraries, but the information she presents 
can be adapted to any type or size of library. 
A variety of sample forms, charts, and checklists provide a rich source of ideas 
and time-saving summaries. 
The topics Trotta discusses include needs assessment, 
trainer selection, mentoring, management techniques 
to promote staff development, evaluating and 
rewarding employee performance, and 
model staff development programs. 
This useful basic sourcebook is recommended
for library managers either contemplating or 
currently involved with staff development programs in their library.
-Susan K. Dunman, Murray State Univ. Lib., Ky.

New Employee Orientation: A how-to-Do-It Manual for Librarians
H. Scott Davis
ISBN: 1555701582
Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Incorporated
Pub. Date: February  1994
From Library Journal 
If the arrival of a new employee seems more traumatic 
for seasoned staff than for the newcomer, 
then this manual may help alleviate some anxiety for all concerned. 

Putting Service into Library Staff Training: A Patron-Centered Guide 
Joanne M. Bessler  Phil Tramdack (Editor)
Format:Paperback, 72pp.
ISBN: 0838934374
Publisher: American Library Association
Pub. Date: January  1994
From Library Journal 
Today, libraries are faced with major questions and entirely new concepts, especially about their relationship with their customers. Bessler presents excellent ideas on how to better understand customer service in libraries, a long-overdue application of sound ideas already common in business. She discusses developing a mission, recruiting/training service-focused employees, orienting everyone to this service concept, and dealing with difficult customers. It's no wonder many libraries have a hard time defining their users as customers. However, it's now the ``two-minute warning'' for libraries, and unless this customer focus is adopted, replacing old ``bulletin-board decoration'' concepts, you can bet on continued erosion of support from the customers who pay the way. An absolute must for all librarians.-Dale Farris, Groves, Tex.

Developing information and library staff through work-based learning: 101 activities. 
 Authors:  ALLAN,Barbara.
 Format: Hardcover, 191pp.
ISBN: 1856042812
Publisher: Library Association Publishing
Pub. Date: May  1999

Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion
A Basic Guide for Library Staff
by John J. Burke
Paperback (December 2000) 
Neal Schuman Pub; ISBN: 1555703984 
 

Integration in the Library Organization 
Christine E. Thompson
Format: Paperback, 140pp.
ISBN: 0789009846
Publisher: Haworth Press, Incorporated, The
Pub. Date: January  2000
Volume 29, number 2 (1999) of the Journal of Library Administration is presented here in book form.
Written for public and technical service librarians, it considers the extent to which
library professionals have managed to integrate both public and technical services 
into a single service-providing organization. 
With case studies and predictions for the future, 
contributors discuss the changes in the profession that 
have contributed to the integration of the two services
They also offer suggestions for creating a environment of full staff cooperation

Reference and Information Services : An Introduction
Richard E. Bopp  Linda C. Smith
ISBN: 1563086247
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, Incorporated
Pub. Date: December  2000
From Internet Book Watch 
Now in a fully updated and expanded third edition, 
Reference And Information Services 
offers detailed discussion on a wide range of reference-related services 
including interlibrary loan, document delivery, 
access to networked electronic resources, 
readers' advisory services, and more. 
Of special interest on the chapters regarding the Internet and World Wide Web,
the attention to ethical issues and the strong focus on user-centered services, 
both face-to-face and those mediated by technology.
Reference And Information Services 
is an essential reference for library school and professional
library reference collections, as well as 
in-service library training supplement reading resource lists

Improving library and information services through self-assessment
a guide for senior managers and staff developers
by Margaret Kinnell, Bob Usherwood and Kathryn Jones 
Format: Paperback, 224pp.
ISBN: 1856043363
Publisher: Library Association Publishing
Pub. Date: April  1999

Becoming a successful intrapreneur
a practical guide to creating an innovative information service 
by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths 
Format: Paperback, 98pp.
ISBN: 1856042928
Publisher: Bernan Associates
Pub. Date: December  1998

Achieving change through training and development 
by June Whetherly 
Format: Paperback, 64pp.
ISBN: 1856042561
Publisher: Bernan Associates
Pub. Date: October  1998

Training for part-time and temporary workers (library workers)
by Anne Goulding and Evelyn Kerslake
ISBN: 1856042421

Developing Library and Information Center Collections 
G. Edward Edward Evans  Margaret R. Zarnosky
Format: Paperback, 4th ed., 595pp.
ISBN: 1563088320
Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, Incorporated
Pub. Date: January  2000

Library "student Staff" training
Training Student Library Staff 
Leslie S. Farmer
ISBN: 0938865560
Publisher: Linworth Publishing, Incorporated
Pub. Date: February  1997

New LIS Grads - Staff Training
Your successful LIS career : planning your career, CVs, 
interviews and self –promotion 
by Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths
Format: Paperback, 127pp.
ISBN: 1856043290
Publisher: Library Association Publishing
Pub. Date: March  1999

The new professional’s handbook: your guide to information services management 
by Sheila Corrall and Anthony Brewerton 

Not so much a "Staff Training Book"  but a perspective of staff - 
whose Libraries are undergoing "Construction Projects"

Library Construction from a Staff Perspective
Staff of the Williamsburg Regional Library
ISBN: 0786408383
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Pub. Date: January  2001
"The knowledge gained by the staff during the building process is relayed directly to the reader. 
The reality of costs in choosing priorities, the intricacies of working with architects, contractors, 
and project managers, the considerations of patrons' needs, and clear-headed 
attitudes toward technology upgrades - all are set forth."
"Also included are ideas for celebratory events, fundraising, 
and interaction with boards of directors and local government in building a "team." 
Appendices conclude the work with a summary timeline, technology specifications, 
and useful charts."--BOOK JACKET.

To  Top of Page


More on "Staff Development" for Library Paraprofessionals "Soaring to Excellence"
is the wonderful Staff Development "Teleconference" Program
http://www.dupagepress.com/COD/index.php?id=11
Find out more on the "Staff Sites" page of this website

Library Education Programs -

COLT - U.S.Library Technician Programs
Canadian Library Technician Programs



Marketing, Ecommerce - Libraries and their Staffs need to be Savvy on the  Issues

Links to Resources and  Articles concerning Marketing Libraries in the Internet Age.

STAFF & TEAM DEVELOPMENT in the Electronic World 
This article is not so much about Staff Training - but more about Organizational Culture
and I think the points that the author mentions about "successful organizations" and their corporate mindset
can be applied to Library Staffs and Library Organizations.

This is an excerpt from Modern Healthcare's E-Musings 2/19/2001

A major research project on adapting to the digital age has been completed by Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School.
She reports her findings in a new HBS Press book, “Evolve!” 
Kanter points out the opportunities and the obstacles that are presented by the Internet.  The book is filled with profiles and examples of the emerging e-age.
I was interested in her findings of the characteristics that pacesetters saw as important in their organizational cultures.
Kanter writes:  “…those claiming that they are better or much better than the competition…are much more likely to report that they have flexible, empowering, team-oriented organizations…”

Pacesetters, in Kanter’s study, identified the following as leading characteristics of their organizations:

  •  People can do anything not explicitly prohibited.
  •  Conflict is seen as creative.
  •  Ideas that are unusual, controversial, or “different” are strongly encouraged and well received.
  •  To get approval for an unforeseen or nonroutine activity, an OK from just one or two people is usually enough.
  •  Decisions about significant activities are made almost immediately.
  •  Decisions are made by the person with the most knowledge (as opposed to the person with the highest rank).
  •  Departments collaborate.
  •  People shift their job responsibilities in the course of a year.
  • When the unit is considering a major strategic change, most people generally hear about it in advance, so they have a chance to comment.
  • Changes are considered a fact of life, and people take them in stride.
This is the culture we may have to adopt if we expect to successfully transition into the e-age.
You may want to compare your answers to five questions of many posed in Kanter’s study.  Of those that responded, over 100 identified themselves as pure Internet companies; 657 replied they were not pure Internet companies.
Will the Internet completely transform every aspect of business in the foreseeable future?
Overall, 75 percent strongly agreed or agreed; only 9 percent disagreed.
Is it important for every company in my industry to have a web presence and be actively engaged in e-commerce even if they do not make any money doing it?
Overall, 63 percent strongly agreed or agreed; 18 percent disagreed.
 Is the Internet just another tool?  (It is not really that different from any other business tool; it should not change enduring wisdom about how companies should operate and how leaders should behave.)
Overall, 30 percent strongly agreed or agreed; 56 percent disagreed.
 Will established “bricks and mortar” companies with strong brands still have the advantage and will ultimately win in competition against pure Internet companies? 
Overall, 38 percent strongly agreed or agreed; 32 percent disagreed and another third were in the middle.  Kanter points out that this is the uncertain area of our times and that “this is where the battles of the future will be fought.”
 Must a generation die off?  (The Internet and e-commerce will not really take hold until the old generation of corporate leaders gives way to a new generation of young entrepreneurs.) 
Only 18 percent strongly agreed or agreed; 65 percent disagreed.  Kanter writes:  “This could reflect confidence that established companies and mature leaders can change, or it could reflect a view that the advent of e-business is so far along regardless that it does not require that much future change.”

Kanter’s study and book offers a valuable framework for understanding and appreciating the emerging e-world.  A world that our industry will not escape.

That’s my opinion…what’s yours?

S. Harvey Price has been an independent healthcare industry strategist for 30 years.  He is based in Boca Raton, Florida. 


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