Libraries that operate as learning organizations commit to creating a culture that encourages and supports continuous staff learning. They understanding the many forms this learning can take, from classes, to online or blended training, to on-the-job experiments, to deliberate sharing among colleagues. But a successful training program requires planning and strategy. Find out more about how you can plan, develop and maintain successful staff training and development programs.” It’s all below in the latest “What’s New @ WJIL.”

Contents: Resources | Courses and Learning | Community | What could I do with…? | What’s New RSS Feed

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Resources

Competencies to Plan Staff Training

• A staff training program includes creating the learning environment, careful planning, applying learning strategies, and evaluating the results. Use the Staff Training & Development section of the Library Management Competencies to review the specific skills, knowledge, abilities that are recommended for successful training management. In addition, there are 17 courses in the WebJunction Illinois Catalog that will help you fill any identified gaps.
• Path: [IL Course Catalog]

Training and Development Resources 

The Training and Development area of WJIL has been recently remodeled so that you can find information on the following resources more easily.

Online Learning

• The use of online courses and tutorials has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. As travel costs surge and budgets constrict, the ability to learn online offers great advantages for staff training. The quantity and quality of e-learning opportunities have also increased. To take full advantage of online learning, it helps to know the territory well. Get acquainted with the terminology, the trends, the technical requirements, and much more through the resources in this section. And when you’ve taken the plunge into e-learning, share your experience in the discussions
• Look for: E-Learning Real World Advice

Creating and Delivering Training

• Successful trainers spend their whole career collecting and sharing tips and techniques for improving delivery of training. We’re all focused on the best outcomes for our learners. Whether your delivery is face-to-face or live-online, find and share your great ideas here.
• Look for: Articles and resources related to adult learners, training strategies and instructional design and tools

Managing Training

• Knowing the importance of continuous learning for library staff is one thing; building an effective program for your library is another. Lay a solid foundation with competencies, plan a training program, evaluate the outcomes, and as always, share your best practices with the community.
• Look for: Guide to Learning Environment Resources and Guide to Select Staff Development Resources

Resources for Learners

• The responsibility for learning ultimately lies with you. A prepared learner is an empowered learner. Discover career development tips, how to set up your e-learning environment, and more
• Look for: Continuous Learning – Making it a Priority Without Breaking the Bank

Certification and CE Requirements

• This is the place to share your state or region’s requirements for continuing education, and your successful strategies for meeting those requirements. Also, you can discuss issues around certification here.

Building a Learning Organization

• A learning organization…creates a culture that encourages and supports continuous learning, critical and innovative thinking; allows mistakes and values employee contributions; learns from experience and experiment; and disseminates new knowledge throughout the organization for incorporation into day-to-day activities.
• Look for: Information on the upcoming free webinar – Libraries as Learning Organizations 
• Path: [Library Management -> Organizational Management -> Library Law Articles]

Courses and Learning

Staff Training and Development Courses in the WJIL Course Catalog

• Visit the WJIL Course Catalog, click on the Competencies tab and then on Library Management. You’ll find a list of Competencies related to Staff Training and Development and the courses that match up with them. Dive in!

Libraries as Learning Organizations

A learning organization…

• creates a culture that encourages and supports continuous learning, critical and innovative thinking;
• allows mistakes and values employee contributions;
• learns from experience and experiment; and
• disseminates new knowledge throughout the organization for incorporation into day-to-day activities.

On May 26, a free webinar co-sponsored by CLENERT will feature libraries at different stages of becoming a learning organization. Join panelists Sandra Smith, Denver (CO) Public Library; Michele Leininger and Elizabeth Iaukea, Pierce County (WA) Library; and Julia Lanham, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (NC), as they share challenges, strategies, and successes about the benefits of a learning culture, building the environment, being a learning champion, and achieving sustainability.

Learn how to incorporate technology to create a positive performance environment. Even if your library is not yet moving in this direction, you will take away ideas that you can use immediately with individuals or the entire team.

Upcoming WJ Webinars (see L2 for details)

• Libraries as Learning Organizations – May 26th
• Social Learning with Libraries, June 16th

Community

WebJunction and WebJunction Illinois Groups

There is a new ways to keep up with the groups being created on WebJunction-Central. A page has been added to the Member Guides topic area listing the groups in alphabetical order. Additionally, a new BlogJunction Central category will spotlight new groups as they are created and added to the list.

To find out more about the Groups being created on WebJunction Illinois, visit our Illinois Groups page.

What Could I do with…E-Learning Real World Advice?

There is a vast opportunity for e-learning on WebJunction Illinois, and everyone who is a registered user of the site has access to it for free. So how can you make the best of what is there for yourself, and for your staff? Take a look at the practical tips in “E-Learning Real World Advice.” You’ll find the challenges and matching opportunities related to learners and trainers as well as issues to keep in mind as a trainer, and the benefits of e-learning.