[Web4lib] Upgrading staff technology skills

[Mary Beth Faccioli]

Hi there,
In addition to being a web developer and subscriber to Lynda.com for about 15 years now, I am also a trainer.  While I LOVE Lynda.com, I think you'll need to do at least some work with staff to help them tie what they learn about whatever-software-package to services.  Most of the tutorials on Lynda.com are for specific software.  There's a big leap from there to improved public library customer service.  What are the services that need improving, and how will the tutorials help improve them?  This is important to flesh out in advance, and then allocate the resources beyond a Lynda.com subscription to help staff make the link to services.

In terms of tech competencies, you might check out the Library Support Staff Certification technology competencies - http://ala-apa.org/lssc/for-candidates/competency-sets/technology/ and the WebJunction Competency Index for the Library Field, which includes technology - http://www.webjunction.org/competencies/-/articles/content/67024491.  These might be decent guides to help you start defining competencies for your own staff.  I'm sure there are public libraries that would be willing to share competencies they've developed, but I'm guessing a lot of those folks aren't on this list (because they are trainers/continuing ed folk).  

You may want to contact the Oklahoma State Library - they have someone who works with continuing education - and see what resources and advice they may have available re staff tech training.  There may be something statewide you can hook into.

Hope this helps!

Mary Beth Faccioli, MLIS
Instructional Design and Technology Consultant
Colorado State Library

--- On Thu, 3/31/11, Thomas Edelblute <TEdelblute at anaheim.net> wrote:

> From: Thomas Edelblute <TEdelblute at anaheim.net>
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Upgrading staff technology skills
> To: "Cox, Thomas" <Thomas.Cox at tufts.edu>, "Tim Spindle" <tspindle at gmail.com>, "web4lib at webjunction.org" <web4lib at webjunction.org>, "publib at webjunction.org" <publib at webjunction.org>
> Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011, 3:45 PM
> I am going to have to look further
> into Lynda.com.  I have been using LearnKey.com and
> CBTDirect.com but this looks like it will be less
> expensive.
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org]
> On Behalf Of Cox, Thomas
> Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2011 11:04 AM
> To: Tim Spindle; web4lib at webjunction.org;
> publib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Upgrading staff technology skills
> 
> Hi Tim:
> 
> I would heartily recommend the lynda.com (http://www.lynda.com) training series.  It's the
> best I've seen and covers a broad, if not dizzying, array of
> software and OS training needs including general topics like
> security.
> 
> Also, take a look at The Technology Challenge initiative
> enacted by the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young
> University which directly addressed the aim of reducing the
> gap between the technology knowledge of their students and
> that of their staff through self-directed means.  Sorry
> I don't have a URL for this but you may find some
> information at http://www.campustechnology.com.
> 
> Please include me in any information you receive.  I'm
> very interested in this as well.
> 
> Kind regards,
> 
> Thom
> 
> 
> Thom W. Cox
> Manager of Library Information Technology Services
> Tisch Library
> Tufts University
> Medford, MA
> thomas.cox at tufts.edu
> 
> "Every technology has a philosophy which is given
> expression in how the technology makes people  use
> their minds,
> in how it codifies the world, and in which of our senses it
> amplifies..."
>     - Neal Postman
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On 3/31/11 11:38 AM, "Tim Spindle" <tspindle at gmail.com<mailto:tspindle at gmail.com>>
> wrote:
> 
> Hello world:
> The Tulsa City-County Library system has created a task
> force to examine how
> to upgrade staff technology skills as a means to enrich
> customer service.
> Have any libraries undertaken a similar project and if so,
> would you mind
> sharing your experiences, lessons learned, etc? Feel free
> to share with the
> list or email me off list.
> 
> Additionally, are there any libraries that currently have
> technology
> competencies for staff that they would be willing to share,
> again, on or off
> list?
> 
> Thanks,
> Tim Spindle
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