This resource was shared during the WebJunction/CLENE webinar, Libraries as Learning Organizations. Also available for download above.
DPL CELLS Employee Learning and Growth Program 2009
What is CELLS?
Continuing Exploration of Library Learning and Sharing
CELLS is a program of Employee Learning and Growth for all library staff. It is an expansion and clarification of the “Professional Growth” aspect of staff performance evaluations. All DPL staff will gain knowledge and skills through participation in a variety of both Employee Learning and Sharing Opportunities (see attached). These activities allow all staff to choose relevant, targeted and varied options for learning and sharing activities that will enhance their job knowledge, skills and effectiveness in achieving DPL goals and initiatives.
How does CELLS contribute to DPL’s mission?
As the strategic goals of DPL are moving in new, defined ways, the DPL training program must do likewise in order to the support the effective performance of all staff. CELLS is a key implementation tool for the advancement of DPL’s strategic goals, specifically those tied to Employee Learning and Growth (ELG).
The Balanced Scorecard process identifies the need for a strong ELG program in order to achieve DPL’s organizational outcomes. Numerous initiatives clarify specific knowledge and skills staff require to successfully perform their work. CELLS provides a mechanism for DPL to ensure that staff have relevant opportunities linked to targeted competencies.
CELLS will enhance DPL’s reputation as a library that values and supports a strong culture of staff learning, leading to excellent customer service and strong representation in the community.
How does CELLS impact individual staff?
- CELLS will build on previous BRAINCELLS learning programs (for Librarians, Senior Librarians, Lead Circulation Clerks) to ensure that highly skilled staff members throughout DPL perform with consistency and excellence.
- CELLS will expand staff awareness of a broad range of training and development activities, as well as provide a roadmap with tools and options available and worthwhile to staff and DPL.
- CELLS will provide staff a structure for earning credits through learning activities that are above and beyond, but also include, Training Calendar classes.
- CELLS will provide a framework for performance measurement and accountability.
- CELLS, through a structured yet flexible process, will foster personal responsibility for developing and enhancing individual skills and knowledge, promoting a system-wide culture of learning,
- CELLS will cultivate innovative ideas and activities, leading staff to a broader perspective of issues and creative possibilities within the library community.
- CELLS will emphasize Activities and Sharing, thereby enhancing the individual’s ability to internalize and integrate the knowledge he or she has gained into daily work.
- CELLS will prevent entrenched thinking, which can lead to stagnation of attitudes and marginal performance among DPL’s greatest resource - its staff.
How does CELLS contribute to DPL’s strategic planning process and goals?
The BSC teams identified an ever-widening variety of training needs involving more flexibility in type and access to training than currently utilized in the traditional class-based training program. Also, technology now offers a continually evolving menu of learning opportunities.
Given this, DPL must now look out of the box to provide new options for learning opportunities that promote more effective ELG outcomes. With an innovative and flexible approach, a wider variety of opportunities for skill building can be formally recognized as a valuable element of staff learning.
Equally important, CELLS requires staff to share their knowledge and skills with co-workers in order to benefit all staff and customers.
Finally, CELLS will maximize use of DPL’s resources, including staff time and effort. Additional learning opportunities are not currently clearly defined due in part to limited awareness of options. Many staff are not currently proactively seeking ELG opportunities and often they are not choosing the relevant training opportunities to enhance their work skills.
What does CELLS look like?
In each PAD cycle, every staff person is required to accumulate a designated number of CELLS (Continuing Exploration of Library Learning and Sharing) credits.
The credits will be earned by completing the following two steps:
- Step 1: participating in selected Learning Opportunities (see below), and
- Step 2: completing Sharing Activities (see below) which will demonstrate the effectiveness of the Learning Opportunity on the individual’s knowledge, and its benefit
Exempt staff will accumulate a minimum of 4 CELLS, including one 3-CELLS Sharing Activity option.
Non-exempt staff will accumulate a minimum of 2 CELLS.
Each PAD will have the category “Employee Learning and Growth” which will include CELLS activities, as well as other development expectations.
Supervisors will determine, with staff input, the Learning Opportunities and Sharing Activities for individual staff.
Supervisors will determine, as in other PAD categories, the level of accomplishment of CELLS activities.
