What to learn?
Individual Development Plan
- Review job description and list needed competencies.
- Identify skills and some to develop
- Determine your learning style
- Select learning activities that will develop the targeted skills
- Fill out an Individual Development Plan
- Fill out a transfer of learning form
- Recognize and reward progress.
How to learn?
Suggested Learning Activities:
- Workshops, institutes, etc.
- In-house courses
- Formal courses
- Independent learning courses by correspondence, Internet
- Reading books/journals focuses on need, problem
- Giving presentations
- Participating in special projects
- Writing for publication
- Coach/tutoring
- Job exchange, visiting another library to study a procedure
- See Also: Online tutorials on sites listed in the blogroll, and specific Learning Activities
Library Specific Skills
- Workflows Tutorial (USC Libraries)
- Core Competencies (Minnesota)
- Technology Competencies (Webjunction)
- Customer Service Module (Houston)
- Library Arcade Customer Service Game (requires Shockwave & sound)
- Reader’s Advisory (Ohio)
- Reference Excellence (Ohio)
- Reference Service Module (Houston)
- Reference Tutorial (Colorado)
- Reference Manual (Nebraska)
- Things Everyone Should Know (pdf)
- Marketing (Houston)
- Marketing the Library Tutorial (Ohio)
- Setting Boundaries with Library Patrons (Infopeople webcast)
Links to free library skills tutorials
Examples from other libraries:
- Memphis Library Staff Development
- Goals for Circulation Services UC Berkeley Library
- Minnesota Library Certification Program
- Ohio Orientation
- ALIA Career Development Kit
Work Skills
The Daily PlanIt Development Center has links to assess and develop work skills:
- Computer skills
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Goal Setting
- Time Management
