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 Customized training is in many ways an ideal model for learning. It can meet your needs directly because it is specifically tailored to your library, and it takes place at the time and place that you choose. The drawback is that it may be more expensive up-front. For a customized training to be successful, you must find the appropriate trainer and define and communicate your training needs clearly. See the article Plan for Training for help with this process. See the Technology Planning section for help integrating your training plan into your overall vision for technology use at your library.

Two different types of customized training are:

• Customized training sessions

• Individual tutoring

Customized training sessions

If you find that you need to train all of your staff in a certain skill, it may make sense to hold a training session at your own library. If you have a computer-lab-like setup, your employees will be able to have hands-on experience during the training. You can also rent a computer lab, or use one that is offered by the trainer. Regardless of location, a customized training session will allow you to teach your staff specific tasks that are necessary for their work. If you purchase certain software packages, the vendor may offer training as part of the package. In other cases, you will want to hunt down a consultant to give the training.

When hiring a consultant, it's essential to look for someone who is an experienced teacher, not just a technical expert. Check with local colleges and universities to see if they have instructors who might be willing to contract to do training sessions. You can also try asking at the County Office of Education to find out which trainers they use. When you interview potential trainers, ask what experience they have doing training sessions, and ask for references who can attest to their teaching skills. If possible, drop in on one of their classes to get a sense of their teaching style. For more guidance on interviewing consultants, see the article Choose the Right Consultant.

If your library has a system administrator or other IT staff, or if you are a system administrator yourself, you may be able to save a substantial amount of money by leading the training in-house. If you are considering this, make sure that the person who will give the training has sufficient resources in terms of preparation time, course materials, and access to resources on instructional design. Make sure the objectives for the training are clear. If necessary, the trainer may want to attend a training session in instructional design and teaching methods. They may not need to design the training materials from scratch; course materials are available for purchase from sites such as Cheltenham Computer Training, which offers "courseware" on a variety of topics.

A rare volunteer may have the teaching experience necessary to prepare materials and give a full-fledged group training. If you intend to use a volunteer, make sure this person is committed to the project, understands your training needs, and has previously given technology training sessions. In addition to the volunteer, you will need a staff person to coordinate the training. Make sure you allocate a space and staff time and secure the commitment of the people being trained. See the Volunteers section for information on recruiting and managing a volunteer.

Individual tutoring

Many people find that working with an individual tutor is the most effective way to learn technology skills that are directly relevant to their everyday work. With a tutor, your staff members can sit at their regular desks and practice the exact tasks they are learning for work. They can ask questions about problems immediately as they come up. The tutor will be able to observe your staff members' day-to-day work and give feedback and shortcuts to increase their efficiency.

Bringing in a consultant for one-on-one tutoring can be costly, but often worthwhile. If you are hiring a consultant to perform a technical task, you may want to request tutoring time as a part of the deal, especially if the consultant already has some experience tutoring or teaching. Also, volunteers can be a great choice for one-on-one tutoring. Again, make sure the volunteer has experience or aptitude and interest in teaching, not just technical expertise. An especially techie staff member can also be a good resource for one-on-one tutoring of other staff, if you make sure to recognize this ongoing responsibility as part of that person's workload.