Developing Staff Development Day

Our Board recently approved our request to close all three libraries for a Staff Development Day in the Fall.  I had a few ideas about what I would like to have happen that day, but had not yet worked out an agenda. After the session today,  I realized that the day should be spent focused on what the staff say they need.  I will begin soliciting their opinions about what we should do.  I would like to direct the discussion toward how what they have identified they need to learn will bring our library system closer to achieving the Tennessee Standards for Non Metropolitan Libraries.  I think sharing these standards with them will inspire them and help build them into a well functioning team.

I want the activities we include to help them get to know one another better and to build trust in one another's skills and abilities.  We share an on-line catalog and regularly shuttle books from one branch to another to meet patron requests.  I don't think any one on staff would hesitate to call another branch to obtain information or to resolve a problem.  However, our in person communication is limited and I believe increasing our time together would increase our respect for one another and generate more ideas to improve the library system.  We would also be on the same page about the System's needs and goals so chance encounters with city and county officials would be more productive.

At our last Staff Development Day, we each accessed our website and reviewed assigned sections of our website and its links.  Everyone enjoyed this activity.  It generated much discussion and we learned how much information needed to be included and which links did not work.  We plan a complete redesign of our website within a year, so I would like part of this day to be devoted to suggestions for the new website.

I was hired to direct a library system with staff who had worked together for many years--some more than 25 years.  Their commitment to providing quality library services to our community is indisputable.  I have fought unsuccessfully to obtain enough funding for pay raises.  But I have succeeded twice in persuading the Board of Trustees to provide appreciation bonuses to the staff.  They are most grateful, but I would like to find more ways to let them know they are appreciated.

I am grateful for the opportunity to hear ideas other libraries have used and hope to implement some of them.