This resource was referenced during the WebJunction/CLENE webinar, Libraries as Learning Organizations. Also available in original format for download above.
GROWING LEARNING CHAMPIONS at DENVER
Below are some of Sandra’s strategies…
DO start by being pretty clueless – it keeps your mind open to possibilities ;-)
DO get out of your cubicle and talk learning and training with anyone and everyone on staff – why you love it, what it does personally and professionally for individuals, what impact it will have for your library and how we (the library staff) show up for our customers.
DO the same with a strong focus on key staff movers and shakers, e.g. anyone who can influence anyone else, whether executive or front line. Meeting with them one-on-one has great impact as you can impress them with your motivation, sincerity and efforts – buying coffee or lunch will pay off too. And yes, just ASK to meet with people, you’ll be surprised as how many are curious about what you might do for them. Convince them and then do it!
DO find or cultivate some kindred spirits who will be your champions both by promoting what you do, and, even better, partner with you to achieve your plans. Find these folks, become their support as well, and reward them with kudos of any kind. Above all, regularly reinforce with them the impact they are making for individuals, your library and your community.
DO involve staff at all levels and DO invite them to contribute and participate. Tell them it is their learning program and you need for their immense knowledge and skill to be shared with others so all can benefit. Tap into their interest in being the “guru” of something and wanting to tell others, especially newbies, about it. Encourage them to share their excitement in what they love to do! Tell them the learning program NEEDS them and other staff do to. And don’t forget the “we’ll have fun” factor – then make it fun for people. For those who are hard to convince, I confess to resorting, with light humor, to the “hit by the bus” scenario…. what if they are suddenly gone? How will their insights and knowledge be carried forth? Remind them that library staff are the most generous people around…. ask them to share the love of what they do!
DO provide support for those who participate in training: train-the-trainer sessions, one-on-one advice and skill-building, talking with their supervisor, providing resources, trouble-shooting ahead of time or at the class. Do anything you can to alleviate their concerns and help them feel good about what they are contributing.
DO set up both specific and open opportunities for staff to share their knowledge. Ask for expert or clueless help (we can learn together!) in identified training sessions and also let others come up with “information to share” ideas. I encourage all types of learning and sharing, from “secrets of this database” to “making kids crafts with items from the recycle bins.” Let Creativity Soar! You, as a learning champion, can’t do it all, and frankly, others can and will do many things better.
DO use and promote training as a development opportunity for staff – doing training (or simple general knowledge sharing with others) fosters planning skills, teaching skills, public-speaking, project management, time management, computer skills, research techniques and other professional skills that are then used throughout a career or job at the library. All of these are transferable to many, many other library situations!
DO provide those staff who contribute in any way to your learning program some sort of public and/or private recognition. I’ve done public verbal and written thank you’s, notes to supervisors on what contribution a staff person has made, acknowledgements at meetings and events, Friday treats to someone and anything else I can think of to show appreciation and recognize effort and contribution. DPL currently has an annual DPL Trainers’ Recognition Event for eighty-some people, who hear sincere appreciation and congratulations from our City Librarian and get a token of thanks that has the moniker “DPL Staff Trainer” on it. And don’t forget the food and balloons!
DO publicize what’s going on in your learning world – let everyone know what you’re doing, why and what results you’re getting. I have a tri-yearly training calendar and newsletter called T.R.A.C.K.S. that highlights the upcoming classes and chats about what’s up with learning for library staff and anything else that’s relevant that I want them to know about. It’s delivered electronically to all (it formerly was in print – things evolve, I started very small!) and keeps everyone in the loop and aware of learning’s importance to our work and customers.
DO have a spot on your intranet (or blog, wiki etc) or an electronic folder that’s accessible to all where you can post things going on in your library’s learning world, policies, procedures, resources, ways to contribute – anything that people can access easily to keep up on what’s happening. You are not always around for questions, so give them some quick answers!
DO also give your senior staff what they need to show the value of the library to others both internally and externally – investigate a training need for a new service, policy, process, change etc, then show what the needs assessment is, how training can be of value to the project, what results should show up, and how you plan to get there. In other words, tell them what they need, how you’re going to do it, then execute it, and, finally, show them the results. Don’t forget that these days data is critical, and anecdotes are only supportive, not indicative or influential. Knock their socks off, and you’ll be positioned with credibility to do it again and again.
DON’T be intimidated! Ten percent of the time is plenty ;-)
DON’T hesitate to ask for help and advice from other learning and training folks in library land and otherwise. We are a very friendly, helpful and generous bunch – and have each been through the class or project from hell…and survived…and learned!
Welcome aboard!
A very short list of some useful resources:
www.libswithclass.wordpress.com
Books: Influencer by Patterson etc; Flawless Consulting by Block; Trainer’s Handbook by Lawson; Creative Training Techniques by Pike
Sandra Smith 09
