Introducing accessibility initiatives is increasing across academic libraries and effective library staff training is one of the factors for the successful implementation and continuity of any accessibility endeavours. This case study outlines the development of a training program to teach student library assistances to format scanned PDFs to be…

In January 2012, a group of four school library professors attending the ALA Midwinter Meeting were having lunch and discussing various issues related to the school library field. These school library professors agreed that one challenge facing the profession is preparing future leaders. As current school library leaders retire, it is difficult to…

The first comprehensive national survey of all academic libraries in the United States which were conducting chat reference service was carried out to determine: what practices were being used to prepare personnel for chat reference service, what competencies were being taught, how and why training practices may have changed over time, and what…

Mentorship is essential to the health of any institution; sharing knowledge and experience transforms managers into stronger leaders and helps less senior employees improve their job skills. Noted reference librarian and researcher Lee offers librarians at all levels both her experience and her ideas about establishing a formal mentoring process…

Communities of practice offer reference librarians a conceptual model through which to develop and maintain general and subject specific knowledge. Reference librarians acquire general and subject-specific knowledge in many ways, sometimes independently and sometimes collaboratively. Applying the concept of the "community of practice" to reference…

The Southeast Florida Library and Information Network (SEFLIN) has presented the Sun Seeker Leadership Institute biennially since 1997. SEFLIN, a multitype library consortium headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, was one of the first groups to sponsor a library leadership institute held as a monthly series of events over the period of a year. One…

Discusses the special needs of librarians as microcomputer users, and advocates the development of user groups of librarians to provide basic training and expertise in library applications of microcomputers. The Purdue University Libraries Users Group and its services to librarians are described as a model of such a group. (CLB)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Records and Archives Management Programme (RAMP) works primarily to help developing countries meet archive and record management needs. This study is intended to inform archivists, curators, and users in the proper handling and care of archival materials. The publication…

Describes a simple six-step searching model designed to deliver good results without introducing complexities likely to confuse the naive user. The findings of tests that compared the results of the easy search model with expert searches are presented, and conclusions about end user training are discussed. (nine references) (CLB)

Discusses the need for reference desk orientation for newly hired or reassigned librarians and presents an outline of a suggested orientation program. Orientation conducted by a supervisor is discussed, practical and philosophical aspects of reference service are addressed, and written materials that support the training are recommended. (nine…

Describes the formal educational requirements and qualifications for employment on the cataloging staff of the Library of Congress for both professional and paraprofessional employees and the on-the-job training provided for both levels of staff. (Author/CLB)

Discusses principles of law library management and presents three problem solving exercises for law librarianship training. American Bar Association standards for law school libraries are presented, with interpretations, and appendices provide a job description for an assistant law librarian and bylaws of the American Law Schools concerning…

Describes patterns observed in the on-the-job training of copy and original catalogers, noting similarities and differences, and provides recommendations for both the training of new staff and continuing education for experienced staff. (CLB)

Describes the decentralization of original cataloging responsibilities that resulted from the development of an online catalog in an academic library, and a training program for the public service librarians responsible for cataloging. The importance of having cataloging conform with national standards is emphasized. (CLB)

Discusses the need to include communication skills as a component of training sessions for library staff who will be serving patrons using online catalogs and databases. Specific points that should be covered in training sessions are identified and training methods are suggested. (eight references) (CLB)