The technical services learning organization: transformation through training and development

Technical services departments are increasingly expected to do more with less, whether because of shrinking budgets, staff turnover, a lack of visibility, or insufficient understanding of their work on the part of administrators. Today’s next gen catalogs, diverse formats and delivery models, and changing cataloging rules demand that technical services professionals and paraprofessionals keep up with evolving best practices for the work they do. Finding a balance between meeting service demands and developing staff knowledge and skills is challenging. In this way, libraries are not unlike other organizations trying to stay effective, innovative, responsive and competitive in changing times. Like these organizations, libraries can adopt methods for developing a learning culture, incorporating formal and informal staff development into the everyday work of their employees, and using learning to continuously improve service delivery. This program will examine training and development methods from instructional design, Lean management, Training Within Industry (TWI) and more, and participants will actively engage in discussion of training materials and methodologies. Takeaways will include a sample learning outcome for a training module, and the outline of a training plan for staff at their organization.