B.R.A.I.N.C.E.L.L.S.

The goal is to provide an opportunity for existing and new DPL librarian staff to enhance and refresh their professional skills through information sessions and interaction with their colleagues in order to uphold in a consistent manner the Library’s mission of meeting the needs of our community.

WHY??

TRAIN TO SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

CONSISTENCY IN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL ACROSS DPL

TRAIN THE RIGHT PEOPLE

IN 2002-2003: 94 LIBRARIAN-

ORIENTED SESSIONS OFFERED

60% OF SESSIONS HAD 50% OR FEWER LIBRARIANS ATTEND

WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE

Reference Interviewing Print ResourcesChildren’s Services CommunicationElectronic Resources* Teen ServicesDPL’s Collection Reader’s AdvisoryCataloging/Classification Services to Spanish-

Speaking Customers*Includes Core Catalog; Core Magazine & Newspapers; Business; Genealogy & History; Government Documents; Ready Reference; Student/Homework; Niche

STATISTICS

Number of presenters: 33 presenters from 18 departments and branches

117 librarians were required to attend 77 librarians (66%) completed all six sessions 25 librarians (21%) missed one or more full

sessions 11 librarians (9%) missed parts of one or more

sessions 9 EPA’s attended; 5 on-call librarians attended 712 seats were filled in 24 sessions

OUTCOMES Ensure excellent customer service Provide a targeted system of ongoing

professional development for librarians Introduce a framework for defined

competencies and accountability Maintain awareness of DPL practices and

perspectives including current policies, practices and services of all departments and branches

Update skills on quickly changing technology and reference skills

OUTCOMES Provide a development opportunity for individual

growth and leadership, public speaking and facilitation

Showcase and share individual expertise and best practices

Fulfill requests for training and development from staff, targeted at identified gaps in skills

Provide an opportunity for colleagues to network and develop a sense of community

Maintain credibility of DPL’s librarian skills in a #1 library

FEEDBACK

524 evaluations were received

466 (89%) responded to a question about the value of the series

430 responses (92%) indicated the series had value to the professional development of DPL librarians

ATTENDEE COMMENTS I appreciated the teambuilding and improved

rapport with colleagues and other depts. - from sharing of expertise and commiseration on challenges. Collective knowledge and expertise is being better utilized.

It was a pleasure to share insights and experiences with colleagues from around the system. It’s too rare an occurrence.

I will use information from this on a daily basis, and reader's advisory. Both will be most helpful in patron services

Have many new useful tools to use in my work.

MOVING FORWARD…..

We recommend that mandatory performance development for librarians continue:

exploring further topics and methods of delivery to librarian staff.

soliciting input from the Lead Managers group as well as reviewing suggestions from the evaluations.

investigating valid, useful methods of measuring the impact of this training on librarian performance and customer service.

TOOLS UTILIZED

Defined Competencies and Outcomes Pre-survey: skills assessment, trainer

planning tool Evaluation form Statistical analysis of data Feedback from trainers Survey of literature, libraries Data, feedback from SmartyPants series

ADDITIONAL TOOLS GOING FORWARD

Train the trainer sessions Different logistics in time frames Content Input from lead managers Accountability process for content