WebJunction

This could be an hour-long conversation on its own, imo. I am particularly interested in how to reframe thinking about learning so that learning is suffused throughout the organization and knowledge-sharing is widely enabled. Even large corporations like Boeing are moving away from a focus on training toward an emphasis on applicable and measurable learning.

In the Town Hall, we threw in a poll question: Do you think of your library as a learning organization? Choices: Yes, No, What in the world is a learning organization? I was pleased that 73% chose Yes. Some would have chosen "not yet" if we had included that option.

I would love to hear more about how your library is or is not moving toward becoming a learning organization. The chat log is a start on the conversation:

Innovations: transformation to a Learning Organization
wj_jenpeter says, "Shifting gears here, we'll continue the discussion and idea sharing"
Frances says, "Not YouTube, but Slideshare"
Kelli_Staley says, "shon: great attitude"
Shirley_B_Idaho says, "Idaho is planning an online conference for May -- Theme :
Libraries = Learning Organizations"
shon_barnes says, "Thanks"
Stephanie_Gerdin says, "Of course, I work for myself, so it had better be. "
Gerie says, "yay for Idaho"
wj_EmilyI says, "great Shirley!"
Sharon_STBB says, "My Circ edpt. also has a job message board."
Sharon_STBB says, "edpt.= dept."
GA_pat says, "CLENE is planning a program for ALA Annual - Building a Culture of
Learning in Your Library. "
wj_EmilyI says, "importance of keeping your staff up to date and trained on new
technology"
Brenda_Hough is laughing
Ross_Callender says, "that Stephanie!! lol"
GA_pat says, "Yes.,,I have to chat"
Stephanie_Gerdin says, "My boss realizes that an informed staff is more productive and
happier."
GA_pat says, "I have no voice - I lost it in Denver"
wj_jenpeter is laughing
GA_pat says, "Lori Reed (from Charlotte) and I will be presenting this program in
Chicago at ALA."
shon_barnes says, "That's cool!"
wj_EmilyI says, "i bet that will have a standing room only crowd."
GA_pat says, "We hope so!"
Kris says, "i will be there"
Kris says, "")"
Kris says, " "
GA_pat says, "Does anyone have anything they want to make sure Lori and I include in
our session at ALA>"
shon_barnes says, "I wish I could be there "
Jane_H says, "I'm thankful to be in one. It keeps me envigorated"
Nichol_Lusk says, "big obstacle is staff recognizing areas lacking"
>> Alan has been demoted to participant status by wj_EmilyI
Nichol_Lusk says, "some staff think they know- and they can't show you - if that makes
sense"
shelley says, "biggest obstacle is my training budget just got gobbled up to solve city-
wide budget deficit."
Kelli_Staley says, "there's always resistance on technical topics"
Nichol_Lusk says, "Cant, sorry"
Gerie says, "as i mentioned before, i think it's really important for those who DO attend
valuable workshops/conferences, to "report out" to those who had to stay behind/staff the
library"
Shirley_B_Idaho says, "yes Gerie -- I agree!"
Kelli_Staley says, "staff reluctant to admit their weaknesses, or admit then still don't sign
up for classes when offered"
Kate_Laughlin says, "competencies!"
Denise says, "Point out patron complaints"
Kelli_Staley says, "I can chat"
Justine says, "BCR offers Free Friday Forums (including archived ones) see
http://www.bcr.org/training/index.html "
Nichol_Lusk says, "exactly, they say "I know it all" but then you catch them making silly
mistakes that training could have taken care of"
wj_jenpeter says, "competencies provide the level playing field"
wj_jenpeter says, "consistency"
Sherrie_R says, "One sure way is to create a Training Development Plan together with
the staff member. It would then become part of their performance expectations that would
be reviewed."
Denise says, "emphasize value of upgrading skills and keeping current"
Shannon_Halikias says, "I think my org has worked around those weaknesses rather then
asking the employees to work to solve them"
Kris says, "union would never go for that being part of their perf eval "
Gerie says, "where? i missed something"
Shirley_B_Idaho says, "Wahoo Compentency Tab on WJ!"
Paula_Seeger says, "I agree with Shannon. It could be cultural change that is needed."
wj_EmilyI says, "check out also lori reed's webinar on creating a culture of learning on
webjunction at http://webjunction.org/events/webinars"
Justine says, "Those are free one hour seminars on various subjects of interest to
librarians (Free Friday Forums)"
wj_jenpeter says, "http://www.webjunction.org/catalog/coursecatalog/competencies"
Kelli_Staley says, "seems when most of our people began using computers, there was no
basic training, just the application they use. I recently learned somebody didn't know how
to copy/paste. Creates issues down the line if you're encouraging attending webinars."
shelley says, "we have an element in our performance plans called a development plan.
Everyone has to have something in the development plan. Kind of forces them to keep
learning."
Sherrie_R says, "We have a union and at this point do not have any objection to having
training as part of the review process."
Kris says, "food for thought"
Holly___Nevada says, "Our CE Calendar:
http://206.194.194.122/evanced/lpd/eventcalendar.asp"
Christi says, "There are free webinars and online courses via Click U. if you are member
of the Special Libraries Association."
Ross_Callender says, "as a user of Free Friday Forum user, they are wonderful"
shon_barnes says, "What I try to encourage all staff to keep in mind is that the training
they learn doesn't only impact the job but the way they live their lives ,especially when it
comes to emerging technology."
Holly___Nevada says, "includes the BCr FFFs"
GA_pat says, "I've been trying to add all these free webinars to our state CE calendar
with easy links to registration and log-in onformation."
wj_jenpeter says, "WJ will be adding Technology competencies to the catalog soon too:
http://www.webjunction.org/catalog/coursecatalog/competencies"
Kelli_Staley says, "we tried passing out competency lists, and nobody returned them"
GA_pat says, "I love the Virtual Watercooler Idea"
shelley says, "hold supervisors accountable for getting those lists turned in!"
elin_waagen says, "Brown Bag lunches "tasty tech tools" peer presentations"
Gerie says, "i'll post a training needs survey that i recently created on WJ...when i get
around to it"
Bobbi_Newman says, "we have an internal staff blog for sharing tips and info"
wj_jenpeter says, "knowledge sharing is key!!"
GA_pat says, "I also love it when I overhear people say "I learned something new today"
and then the person proceeds to share what they learned."
wj_jenpeter says, "everyone is learning all the time!"
Gerie says, "we have an internal blog also and hardly anyone actually posts to it"
wj_EmilyI says, "maurice coleman and annette gaskins of Montgomery Co. Library did a
webinar on creating a technology petting zoo on the webjunction webinar archives."
shon_barnes says, "Encouraging a learning environment is also crucial."
wj_jenpeter says, "tasty tech tools"
Justine says, "Getting a Grip on Social Networking: Part 1: MySpace and Facebook"
elin_waagen says, "Sorry - no"
GA_pat says, "No learning is too small!"
GA_pat says, "or too insignificant."
Justine says, "BCR's Free classes, go to http://www.bcr.org/training/archives/index.html
and click on Free Friday Forum Archive"
GA_pat says, "at my former ohio libary staff database training was opened to the public."
Justine says, "Sorry, that last link is for the Archives only"
shon_barnes says, "Thanks for sharing that information"
GA_pat says, "both groups of people loved it."
Christi says, "Radical Militant Librarianship!"
You say, "thank you all for great comments"
Sarah says, "Public/staff joint training - what a great idea!"
shon_barnes says, "Lol!"
Kelli_Staley says, "we have sessions open to both staff & public. Did a whole series on
Office 2007"
Gerie says, "i got some great ideas today"
shon_barnes says, "Ditto!"