Less Train, More Gain : Using Technology to Train, Maintain, and Retain Part-time
and Student EmployeesSponsored by the LLAMA SASS Circulation/Access Services Committee
Coordinated by Chelle Batchelor, Access Services Librarian, University of Washington Bothell
Less Train, More Gain : Using Technology to Train, Maintain, and Retain Part-time
and Student Employees
Presented by: •Renee Ettinger, Information Literacy Librarian, David A. Cofrin Library University of Wisconsin- Green Bay•Emily Rogers, Coordinator of Access Services, David A. Cofrin Library University of Wisconsin- Green Bay•Clare Kindt, Branch Manager, Kress Family Library, Brown County Library System
Sponsored by the LLAMA SASS Circulation/Access Services CommitteeCoordinated by Chelle Batchelor, Access Services Librarian, University of Washington Bothell
Who can benefit from online training?
Volunteers
Pages
Student Staff
Temporary Employees
Anyone!
Before online training…
What are training obstacles?Not enough hours in the day
Schedules
Limited staff who can train
Consistency of Message
High turnover
Styles of Learning
Why online training addresses those obstaclesConsistency
Efficiency
24 Hour access
Provides variety
Employees can be proactive in training
Mass communication tool
Cofrin Library Student Training Course
• https://www.uwgb.edu/learntech/secure/
COURSE LIST IN D2L
WELCOME PAGE/ NAV BAR
CONTENT
CONTENT FORMATS
• Text/ PDF/ word documents• Power point presentations• Videos• Captivate/ Camtasia/ JING• Lecture capture• Images• Audio files
QUIZZES
MANAGER QUIZ
DISCUSSION BOARDS
CART SET-UP THREAD
SUB-BOARD
CLASSLIST/ PROGRESS
PROGRESS/ CONTENT
PROGRESS/ DISCUSSION
LINKS
GLOSSARY
What do our staff think of online training?
• Staff assessment
Brown County Library
Adventures in online training.
How will the site be used?What things are used for training already?
What will be helpful to add?
Where will you gather this information?
Don’t reinvent the wheel if you don’t have to
Gather training tools from:
• Policy manuals- different locations can be consolidated• Library’s web site – make it a habit to use it• Supervisors who train staff
Find examples from other libraries
Form a small committee if nothing is in place
Finding a home
What are the options?
• Free online sites• Wetpaint, wikidot, google sites, wikispaces-for educators• Course management software• Something available through library,
consortium, or system
Site Content
How will you add content
• FAQ’s, step-by-step tutorials, Union Contracts, Q and A’s…
What kind of content –
• www.google.com
What formats will you want to add (video, scans, quizzes, etc…)
Can it be accessed by all users? How?
Bookmark it – Add Link to all computers
Establish a procedure for getting input from staff
Logistics
How will differences between departments/branches be addressed
Updating – how often and by whom
• How many contributors/administratorsWhen can or should it be viewed (work time, home) or how much time should be scheduled
Add a discussion board, FAQ, Q and A, etc…
Roadblocks and Issues
How will this be used for evaluations, should it be? Will this replace other training or be used to enhance it?
• Make it interesting and user friendly
How to add people to the site – by branch? Email, work or personal?
• Don’t get stuck using something that won’t be easy to maintain
Staff buy-in – make it easy enough for technology hesitant staff
What if the site doesn’t work for you – MOVE IT!
The Importance of Content
• Staff use of content
Content: What already exists?
Existing documentation/manuals
• Listserves• Websites• Colleagues
Beg, Borrow, and Steal
Content: Deciding what to createIdentify what you are missing
Think outside the box
Find local “experts”
Remember- you are not alone!
ImplementationContinue to add/update
Include staff in content
Good refresher
Not a substitute for face-to-face
Have fun!
Cofrin Library’s training program
First Day
TourD2L
Explain trainingD2L
Hands onPeer to Peer
Weekly meetingsScavenger hunts, worksheets, etc…
Benchmarks
Implementing Discussion Boards
• What our staff had to say…
Ensure a few postings each week
Valuable content
Rewards
Everyone must use them (hint, hint)
Results
Better trained staff
More engaged staff
Exceeded expectations
Exposed emerging leaders
Benefits of the tierProvide additional duties/pay
Allows for better partnerships/collaboration
Job growth/retention
Entry Level
Provide desk support
Stacks assistance
Basic training
Training with other tiers
Managers
Work more independently
Cash handling
First level of troubleshooting
Provide support for new hires
Advanced tasks
Work independently
Work on advanced projects
Serve on committees
Assist with light Reference
Training provided by Ref staff
Student Reference Assistant
SRA Reference Training
In-person session
Question of the week
Coaching/ shadowing
Overall Staff Assessment of Online Training