Training as a Foundation for Success Riverside County

Training as a Foundation for Success Riverside County Library System Jeannie Kays Palm Desert Library

Project Description Ø Regularly scheduled Staff Trainings l Six basic courses repeated once per quarter l Online tutorials l Online videos

Why? Ø Employees want training. Ø Managers want well-trained staff. Ø Customers want to feel like their tax dollars are paying for a competent workforce.

Teamwork makes students feel comfortable

Activities to achieve goal Six core courses repeated every quarter Ø l l l Beginning Reference for the Non-Reference Staff Frequently Asked Reference Questions Navigating the Library Website On Your MARC: Introduction to Machine Readable Cataloging Creating Exciting Flyers Using Microsoft Publisher Collaborating with your School District

How will I evaluate or measure the success or impact of my project? Ø Enrollment will be at 80% capacity. Ø 80% of survey results will show positive response to classes. Ø Employees will take what they’ve learned and teach the public.

Hands-on practice makes lessons memorable

Progress (so far) Ø Quarterly classes are being taught with overwhelming reception. Ø Second sessions are being added to classes in demand. Ø Tutorials are being loaded on Intranet. Ø Employees are reading the Intranet blogs to learn more tips and tricks.

If you feed them…they will learn

Issues…or “What not to do” Ø Video editing software is hard to learn: Get a book or take a class. Ø Creating tutorials is time-consuming: Consider mistakes your practice and start over. Ø Employees may think you are goofing off: Set them straight and delegate!

Collaborating with your School District can be like tug of war P. S. Don’t do this either.

Next Steps Ø Continue quarterly classes. Ø Increase topics being taught. Ø Load training videos on Intranet. Ø Add tutorials on library website to assist the public. Ø Persuade managers to create a training plan for each employee and include in performance evaluations.

Possible Future Classes Ø Improving your catalog searches Ø Downloading audio books Ø Getting the most from your online calendar of events Ø Outreach using Web 2. 0 technology Ø Sirsi Symphony tips and tricks Ø Beginning Copy-Cataloging

Possible Future Classes, (cont. ) Ø Getting Organized Using Outlook Ø Specific Database Searching Ø Intro to Excel Ø Intro to Word Ø Conducting Successful Library Tours Ø Interviewing Skills for Internal Promotions

How will it impact my Community? Ø Staff will feel more confident in their job. Ø Staff will be able to use our databases, catalog and other services with ease. Ø Knowledge will be transferred from staff to the public. Ø Public will be able to use our databases, catalog and other services with ease.

And Finally… Ø Branches will be offering library instruction classes for the public, even reaching out to new users who prefer searching from home. Ø Use of databases and other subscription services will increase. Ø Communities will value libraries because they have proven to be a necessary resource.

For additional information: Jeannie Kays Palm Desert Library Riverside County Library System jeannie. kays@rivlib. net