WebJunction

Stephanie Gerding is a librarian, author, and trainer. She became an independent library consultant last year, after having worked for organizations such as the Arizona and New Mexico state libraries, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, SIRSI, two universities and a corporate library. She is currently presenting workshops around the country on library training, leadership, grants, and emerging technology.

Stephanie is an avid supporter of WebJunction; they share many common goals such as supporting and connecting librarians. She was a trainer and coordinator for WebJunction’s Rural Libraries Sustainability and Spanish Language Outreach programs. She even included WebJunction in the acknowledgements in her latest book the Accidental Technology Trainer: A Library Guide.

“WebJunction—the organization, the website, the members, and everyone working there—has been very valuable to me, not only in writing this book, but as a trainer and librarian as well.” You can view the Table of Contents and a sample chapter from the book.

The Accidental Technology Trainer is written for the many librarians who find themselves responsible for conducting technology training, whether in a computer lab, a classroom, or just one-on-one with the public or a co-worker.

One of the things Stephanie enjoyed exploring in this book was the importance of understanding workshop participants. Learners vary in their interests, skill levels, ages, attitudes, motivation, and learning styles. When you know how different people learn best, you can plan and execute training most effectively. As many libraries offer training for adults, and it is important to realize that every adult is different and has different needs. Not only that, but these needs also change depending on their motivations, experiences, and readiness.

Mary Bushing, Library Consultant, said that the book:

“should be required reading for all librarians in public, special, and post-secondary libraries who interact with adults in training, teaching, coaching, and supervisory situations... What a pleasure to have a thoroughly intelligent, readable, and enjoyable book for professional development!” 

On the workshop front, Stephanie’s most recent stop was the Alaska Library Association conference where she was amazed by the Northern Lights and the spunky librarians. Her next event is a grants preconference session at the Public Library Association conference in Minnesota. She’s also contributing to the Saturday WebJunction-organized panel “From Hype to Help: Making a Difference with New Technologies” as a virtual member. Stephanie has coordinated hundreds workshops; you can view her presentations at: http://www.stephaniegerding.com/Presentations.html.

As if that wasn’t enough, Stephanie is also a facilitator for the Arizona State Library-supported Library Leadership Academy for the Phoenix, Chandler, and Scottsdale Public Libraries. As part of this 10-month program she is using the Ning social networking website to connect participants and share information. This free website lets you create a community where participants can share photos and videos, create discussion forums, form groups and host their own personal webpage or blog.

Stephanie’s motto is Live the Dream. She believes you must first decide what you want and then take positive steps towards achieving those dreams. To be successful you must first prepare by directing your energies and time toward your personal or professional goals and then you will find that the opportunities will soon start appearing. She knows this isn’t always easy but is worth doing. All her current big dreams have come true, so she’s trying to decide on some new ones. She is so grateful for her life and strives to make positive contributions to the world in whatever she does. Stephanie enjoys living in sunny Phoenix, AZ with her wonderful husband and their 7-month-old, amazingly happy and beautiful daughter, Madeline.

Stephanie’s Tips for Supporting Adult Learners

• Break up content into "bite-size chunks" which people are able to understand
• Try to find out and alleviate any concerns they have regarding the workshop
• Let them know at the beginning of the workshop that you will incorporate their experience and that you want to meet their needs
• Show the whole picture/end product followed by the details and then a refresher with the overall picture
• Show the relevance of the subject matter, demonstrate how will they actually use it
• Explain why activities are used and their relevance to the overall course or training sessions
• Provide plenty hands-on experience, with opportunities for success and praise
• Incorporate small-group work, since participants will be more likely to converse and ask each other for assistance rather than ask the trainer in front of the whole group
• Give them some choices by providing options and flexibility in their self-directed activities
• Create a climate of exploration and encourage them to have a go at it themselves
• Keep the learning objectives in perspective to the amount of time for the workshop; don't try to cover more material than they can actually learn
• Make certain the participant is equipped with enough knowledge and skill to complete any talks, rather than setting the person up for failure
• Bend the rules, if necessary and appropriate, try new things and adjust to the participants' needs
   

Stephanie’s Resources available on WebJunction

Articles

• Wishing Won't Work: 10 Things You Need to Know and Do When Applying for Technology Grants

Webinars

• The Accidental Technology Trainer (Learning Webinar October 2007)
• Grant Writing and the Rural Library (In Focus Webinar #4)
• Podcast: Fundraising, Grants, and All that Jazz from the Rural ALA Forum 2006 
• Online Tutorial: Grant Writing Basics, University of North Texas Le@d Course