Janie Hassard Hermann, Technology Instruction Librarianm Princeton Public Library
Travis Bussler, Network Administrator, Chippewa River Library District
Janie: Technolog Training for Library Cusomters
- Reaching & Teaching a Tech-savy public
- library customers are becoming increasing proficient with computers/internet/technology
- tech & training expectations are rising exponentially
- computer classes and technology training must evolve to meet this demand
- constant innovation to remain relevant is crucial
- Princeton PL
- single branch downtown near university
- WiFi
- 50FTE, pop 31,000
- 100+ computers for public
- 58k sqft building built in 2004
- Looking back
- 10 years since started doing comp training – basic computer & net classes
- emphasis on mouse skills & using OPAC
- subject specific classes, email, and MS Office classes soon added
- focus on basic computing and searching skills
- Looking forwad
- digital cameras, MP3 players, other gadgets
- “Gadget Garage”
- eAudiobook instruction and legal downloading
- Blogging, wikis, RSS, VoIP, & other trends
- lectures & demos that help community stay current with technology and relatd issues
- Instruction that is more individualized
- “open texh time”
- Someone on staff, in room, to answer any question
- 10 steps to creating a tech-savy training program
It’s a time consuming process, can take several years to build
PPL’s current program has been over five years in the making - Start modest
- implement monthly programs that appeal to advanced users
- technology talks, “DataBytes”
- use invited guest to minimize staff prep time
- offer one or two advanced classes
- gather feedback
- Build a mailing list
- gather addresses at every session
- send more than one or two emails per month
- inform but don’t spam
- Make a training plan
- comprehensiveness is curcial
- who will attend
- hoe many courses per month/week
- hoe many new courses per year
- Write lesson plans
- create a template
- borrow from others
- create support materials
- Sources
- WebJunction
- Learn the Net
- SeniorNet
- Train staff and Volunteers
- hire or recruit volunteer trainers to assist depending on budget considerations
- training the trainer is essential
- provide practice sessions before going live to work out glitches
- Decide Registration Proceedures
- register or not
- card holders or whole community
- how many students per class
- gadget classes need to be smaller than hands on comp classes
- Acquire the equipment & software
- funding
- purchase
- install
- Promote!
- print calendars
- email calendars
- press released
- library newsletter
- network w/ computer clubs
- e-mail lists
- front page of library Web site
- Feedback & Evaluation
- listen
- eval stats
- Update frequently
- stay current
- scan literature
- keep programs on cutting edge
- Don’t forget
- compile stats
- demonstrate impact
Travis: How to Create a Tech-Savy Staff
- patrons expect more tech from libraries than ever before
- library staff needs to support this; IT, ref, circ, everyone else
- staff needs to at least know how to exit out of the progams on the public computers
- Why does the IT staff need a tech savy staff
- makes everyone’s job easier
- to communicate effectively
- to offer the best support possible
- Problems in the beginning
- “network is down” = “the neopets web site is down”
- “the copier is broken” = “the copier is out of paper”
- What is needed?
- Assessments
- all staff members
- where are they now
- where do they need to be
- sell assessment for new employees
- What to assess
- OS
- office productivity
- hardware
- library web site
- items based on individual job functions
- automation system
- Training
- types
- in house
- workshops
- cd-rom
- online
- CC & Univ
- books
- what
- everything that’s relevant
- tips
- make training mandatory
- short sessions
- similar skill level groups
- stay focused
- interactive as possible
- plenty of practice time
- repetition
- offer CEUs
- offer to other lib organizations
- let staff share experiences
- use variety of trainers & techniques
- let staff members being food & drinks
- Documentation
- items to document
- everything
- instructions
- faqs
- cheat cheets
- tips
- keep it simple
- use lots of pictures
- printed and electronic copies
- Conclusion
- assesments + training + deocumentation = tech-savy staff
