Principles for Staff Development Programming Laura E. Ray, MA, MLS Educational Programming Librarian Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Annual Meeting of the Ohio Regional Association of Law Libraries Cleveland, OH, 15 October 2009

Staff Development Benefits Better Meet Patron Needs Learn New Skills, Methods, Resources Adapt to Change Participate in Culture of Respect & Integrated Decision Making Develop to Full Potential Grow on Personal Level

Staff Development Guidelines Voluntary Sessions Sense of Control/Ownership = Participation & Commitment

Staff Development Guidelines * Personal Discovery * Discussion, Practice, Reflection & Comparison to Own Understanding = New Insights & Applications

Learning Environment Encourage Staff Development Try To Accommodate Learning Styles Try To Schedule Staff Development Evaluate Sessions & Seek Feedback

In-House Staff Development Full Staff Sessions – ▪ General Topics & Learning Formats ▪ Need Environment of Mutual Respect & Collegial Responsibility Individual & Small Group Sessions Can Be Targeted to Specific Needs

Identifying Needs – Competencies Review Organizational Strategic Plans Sample Strategic Plan Goals Increase the use of technology in classroom instruction. Incorporate a customer-service focus into patron interactions. Enhance patron support in the PC Lab. Key Question for Objectives/Methods – Train Who To Do What?

Identifying Needs – Competencies Review Professional Association Competency Criteria American Association of Law Libraries Competencies of Law Librarianship

AALL Competencies of Law Librarianship Sample “Core” Competency 1.5 Understands the social, political, and economic context in which the legal system exists

AALL Competencies of Law Librarianship Sample “Information Technology” Competency 4.4 Evaluates, purchases, implements, and tests software and hardware necessary for accessing electronic information

Identifying Needs – Competencies Review Professional Association Competency Criteria Special Libraries Association Competencies for Information Professionals of the 21st Century

Needs Assessment Staff State Their Needs Supervisors State Their Staff’s Needs Staff State Preferred Learning Styles Identify Problems & Solutions Guide Learning Objectives & Instructional Design

Needs Assessment Outline Learning Styles/Formats How Do You Like To Learn? What Would You Attend? Do You Need Reimbursement? Topics – Provide List Leave Room for “Other”

Systemic Instructional Design Identify Needs Write Learning Objectives Develop Instructional Materials/Methods Evaluate Instruction – Identify New Needs

Staff Development Programs Colleges & Universities Alumni Associations Professional Associations Private Companies Self-Study Podcasts Vodcasts Webinars

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