moonee valley training wiki
DESCRIPTION
http://mvls.pbwiki.com. Moonee Valley Training Wiki. Our Library Service. 5 branches in Melbourne’s Inner-West 51 permanent and 20 casual staff 55,500 members ‘Gulliver Core’ + 20 subscriptions to databases, eBooks, tutorials. Top 10% for public usage of databases. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Moonee Valley Training Wiki
http://mvls.pbwiki.com
Our Library Service
5 branches in Melbourne’s Inner-West51 permanent and 20 casual staff55,500 members ‘Gulliver Core’ + 20 subscriptions to
databases, eBooks, tutorials.Top 10% for public usage of databases
Current Reference Training Induction Training (all staff)Quarterly “Forums” on various topicsOccasional database vendor training
– for Librarians/Library techs.Problems:
Fitting in training around rosters. Informing all staff about new or updated
databases. Keeping up with changing technology.
Library 2.0 Training
“23 things” program: a State-wide program to introduce ‘Web 2.0” concepts to public library staff in 2007/08. Inspired by Helene Blowers (Charlotte-
Mecklenburg Library, USA) Managed locally by Yarra Plenty Library (
http://www.yprl.vic.gov.au/Learning_2.0/)Approx 30 MVLS staff completed
course.
Why Invest in Library 2.0? Libraries can:
revitalize their web presence keep up with user needs and changing user
groups become more familiar and confident with
emerging technologies
Staff and users can participate in “next generation library services” with social networking and web innovations.
http://mooneevalleylibrary.blogspot.com
Why Wiki?
Accessible from anywhere
No registrations, no passwords
Easy – for us, for staff
Free!
How we set it up
No pilots!No costings!6-8 weeks in preparationWiki still being completed when staff
started the programme.2-3 hours per week preparing
questions.30-45 mins working on the Wiki.
The Basic Outline
10 week course of databases to review
Reviewing 3 - 4 databases per week. 30 minutes of work, per week. October 13th - January 30th Alone or in pairsHelp and support as neededNor compulsory but “expected”All levels of staff involved, Library
Officers to the Library Manager, full/part/casuals.
Developing the Program Each week was loosely themed
Back in Time: genealogy (Ancestry), archived newspapers (Times Digital Archive), Picture Australia & Picture Victoria
Back to School: subject DBs aimed at students (Science Resource Center, Opposing Viewpoints), Encyclopaedia Britannica, web-chat tutoring (Your Tutor)
Who Are You?: biographies (Biography Resource Center, Australian Dictionary of Biography Online)
Developing the program (2) Included Library Link Victoria &
Libraries Australia Included reference and readers
advisory resources Included paid and free resources
e.g. Victorian government’s Better Health Channel website
Description of each D’Base & 1-2 questions for each
Spreading the Word
Visiting branch team meetings
A4 Handout
Email reminders - at the start & periodically
Monthly staff bulletin
Initial Reactions
“Cautious optimism”
Reservations centred around: Idea of ‘homework’ Perception of having ‘spare time’ ‘I’m too busy’
Rostered time off the circulation desk alleviated a lot of this initial tension.
Tracking Progress
Questions emailed/hard copy
Excel spreadsheet maintained by the ref staff
Gentle reminders/encouragement to anyone falling behind
Helped the ref staff to pinpoint particular issues with databases/our questions
Issues that arose Importance of really clear wording
Making sure questions were not variable or time-dependent (where possible)
Problems with concurrent sessions (e.g. Safari : 50 e-books computer training manuals)
Staff really appreciated feedback; and being able to work in pairs.
Results
76% completion rate 32 out of 42 staff completed all 10
weeks. Most others completed at least 7
weeks
Recognition from Council
No measurable increase in usage stats yet.
Benefits to Library staff
Increased familiarity with the online collection “I didn’t know we had that”
Improved understanding of the depth and coverage of resources
Improved confidence in demonstrating the databases
Happier to “market” to patrons
Benefits to Reference StaffGetting to know/ more contact with
staff from distant branches.
Identifying areas of need for further training
Confidence in using web-based training
Great resource for training new staff
Looking at the databases in greater depth
Lessons Learnt Library 2.0 laid the groundwork Self paced participative training works
well (for our staff) Library Officers appreciated the
opportunity for training (casuals doing the course in their own time!)
Technical Services staff appreciated being ‘included’
Lessons Learnt Too brief
Often only looking 1 or 2 features Missed as much as we exposed.
Senior staff
All staff can “squeeze in”30 mins a week for training! esp. If they’re keen and well supported.
People love prizes!
Questions?