WebJunction

This segment of the town hall discussion was rich with creative ideas for motivating staff to relish training and to overcome the resistance of reluctant learners.

I especially like the comments of Linda, who spoke out loud (not recorded in the chat), saying that for her staff, "Training is a staff motivator." Her staff are aware of their knowledge gaps and are pleased to be considered worthy enough to be given the opportunity to improve themselves. Oh, that we could instill that attitude in everyone!

I was also impressed with the variety of rewards for learning, which can be as small and inexpensive as chocolate or mints. The important piece is making sure that learning is acknowledge and rewarded in some way.

Transcribed chat log for this part of the conversation:

Solutions: How to motivate staff; challenges and rewards for learning
Kelli_Staley says, "our director requires a certain number of CE hours per year, its up to
us to pick classes and attend"
Denise says, "searchable helpdesk knowledgebase."
Renee_Zurn says, "I'm having trouble hearing - voice very low"
Nichol_Lusk says, "me too"
shon_barnes says, "What about for assistants? Are they required to have a certain
amount, if so how many?"
Robin_Hastings says, "I like that idea, Kelli - but I haven't been successful in getting any
"teeth" behind that requirement..."
Lynne_Connolly says, "We build requirements into staff performance plans, i.e. have to
attend so many training classes during the year."
Kate_Laughlin says, "Yes!"
Kelli_Staley says, "I think it's 10 hrs for everybody (but the annual in-service counts) and
managers are encouraged to do more than 10 hrs"
AZ_mala says, "I agree we have all those issues "
GA_pat says, "some Georgia directors are challenging their entire staffs to complete a
WJ course within a certain time frame with random prizes given to some of those who
compelte the challenge."
Marianne_Lenox says, "invention is the necessity of mothers!"
Jane_H says, "We've just started it."
shon_barnes says, "That sounds like fun!"
Jane_H says, "No, sorry"
martha_hendricks says, "Seems like the requirements that are put in place always have to
be enforced by those who put them in place, not the ones who are required to log the
hours of training"
Barbara_Stobart says, "no, I was trying to get my hand off"
wj_EmilyI says, "random acts of continuing education"
shon_barnes says, "Top down approach"
Jane_H says, "Right. We hear from our librarians all the time"
Jane_H says, "Ours are 1/2 to 1 hour on specific topics"
Kelli_Staley says, "I signed up for many 1 hr sessions from Ebsco, and we set up the
proejctor in the conf. room and whatever staff can make it attends"
Barbara_Stobart says, "If you use the archived sessions, you can set the time and amount"
Marianne_Lenox says, "blogging on an intranet"
Jane_H says, "We also are offering them at a couple different times."
wj_EmilyI says, "that's a good idea Kelly."
Kate_Laughlin says, "Yes! Often the learners aren't ready."
Shannon_Halikias says, "Ebsco training? Is this online like the Sirsi webinars?"
Kelli_Staley says, "they're all talking about our databases now "
wj_EmilyI says, "in Wimba, you can have archive viewing sessions, and people can chat
with each other synchronously in the archived session."
Kate_Laughlin says, "Then they have a negative first experience which sets a tone."
Kris says, "reluctant to do something different"
Nichol_Lusk says, "we offered a hour of paid time off as a "door prize" at the training
session"
Kelli_Staley says, "ebsco: yes, demos of the databases you subscribe to, novelist, ebsco
host, etc"
Shannon_Halikias says, "Gotcha"
Kris says, "that is a good idea but we do pay our staff to do the training so..."
Denise says, "promote improved skills for job success."
Penny says, "We get LEUs-library education units. "
GA_pat says, "Some georgia directors are challenging their staff to try a WJ course...
ANY course - within a certain number of weeks or months."
wj_EmilyI says, "training as empowerment"
GA_pat says, "Those who complete a course are eligible to win prizes."
Sharon_STBB says, "We offer a small salary increase for completion of 4 units."
Nichol_Lusk says, "It is also made clear that in these tough times, only those that are
willing to learn ad improve will "survive""
Kris says, "door prizes is a good idea though"
Kris says, "what types of prizes?"
Penny says, "chocolate!"
Robin_Hastings says, "I use conference "swag" for prizes for the public with website
testing"
Shannon_Halikias says, "We've had success with gas cards for prizes"
Nichol_Lusk says, "gift cards"
Robin_Hastings says, "That would work for staff, too"
Ilan_Eyman says, "collect "schwag" from your vendors"
arwka says, "free lunch"
Renee_Zurn says, "We use the free items we get with some of our materials"
Mary_Haney says, "make it fun-set up a blog to track our laughs & challenges
encountered in online learning"
AZ_mala says, "We are planning to do a course of the month and plan discussions
around"
Marianne_Lenox says, "we are getting businesses to give us donations for door prizes"
GA_pat says, "one library here in Georgia got a small grant from their Friends group to
purchase some prizes. i don't know what she bought though."
Kate_Laughlin says, "peer to peer mentoring"
Nichol_Lusk says, "catered lunch at training"
Kate_Laughlin says, "Yes! Up with mentoring!"
wj_jenpeter tells you, "mala has hand raised"
Robin_Hastings says, "I've given out mints at patron training, too - if you talk - answer a
question, ask a question, make a comment, you get a mint. Gets people talking..."
Marianne_Lenox says, "sorry, all. I have to go."
wj_EmilyI says, "thanks for coming, Marianne."
Marianne_Lenox says, "thank you, will catch the rest in the archives"
shon_barnes says, "Recognition for reaching goals is always a great motivator"
arwka says, "paid training"
martha_hendricks is away
Penny is clapping