Staff Development: A Practical Guide

Libraries are only as good as the staffs running them. A strong commitment to ongoing staff development can help library administrators, managers and trainers to equip their staffs with the tools necessary for running well-oiled, customer-focused libraries. In this brand new edition of a popular guide, direct from the Staff Development Committee of the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA), you will find step-by-step guidelines for customizing a staff development programme that is both proactive and goal-oriented. Drawing on the advice of 37 top experts with a variety of skill sets, you will learn how to assess your library's needs and set training goals, budget appropriately, develop a set of core competencies, and map out a programme specifically for your setting. Packed with hands-on training guidance, 14 new chapters focus on current trends in staff development including online tutorials, technical training, customer services approaches and mentoring. New to this edition are: realistic and relevant goal setting; programme infrastructure development; incorporation of core competencies; diversity in staff development; and coaching and team skills. Enhanced with case studies and sample assessment surveys from both academic and public library settings, the third edition of ""Staff Development: A Practical Guide"" will help libraries of all types, with staff at all levels, to raise the bar and deliver cutting-edge and customer-based services.