How to Create a Tech-savvy Staff

Computers in Libraries Conference 2006

Chippewa River District Library

Training for Staff & Patrons in Public Libraries

tbussler@crdl.org

www.crdl.org

Travis J. BusslerNetwork AdministratorChippewa River District Library

How to Create a Tech-savvy StaffPatrons expect more technology from libraries than ever before and with that, the library staff members need to support it. This includes the IT department (if there is a formal one), Reference Staff, Circulation Staff, and everybody else that the library employs.

CRDL Background A Small Class 6

Library Veterans Memorial

Library 5 Branch Libraries 3 Affiliate Libraries 50+ Employees

Technology 120+ Computers 12+ Servers Fiber, Frame Relay,

Wireless and VPN

Technology Staff Technology Coordinator Network Administrator Network Assistant 3 Part-time Computer Tech Pages

Why Does the IT Staff Need a Tech-savvy Staff?

To make everybody’s job easier To be able to communicate

effectively To offer the best support we can

to our patrons

Problems in the beginning.

Reported Problem:The network is down

Actual Problem:The Neopets website is down

Reported Problem:The copier is broken

Actual Problem:The copier is out of paper

What is needed? Assessments,

Assessments, Assessments!

Training, Training, Training!

Documentation, Documentation, Documentation!

Assessments

All staff members need to assess where they are when it comes to technology, and where they need to be. Types of Assessments

Written Verbal Hands-on Self

Assessment Example

Basic Computer and Windows Self Assessment Please fill out the following honestly. You are not being graded or judged by your answers. It is for your benefit and the benefit of CRDL. Circle your answer and if you cannot answer Yes to the entire question then please circle No.

Name: ____________________ please Turn in by (some later date)

Nomenclature:

1) Do you know basic components of a computer (outside the case) and do you know the basic components of the system unit (inside the case)?

2) Do you know the names of the different parts of the Windows Desktop and can you explain what each one does?

3) Can you name the main items of the start menu and what each one does?

4) Can you name the main items of a window?

5) Do you know the 4 main external computer storage formats that we use throughout the Library and the CTC? (Paper is not one of them.) Do you know which ones we sell?

Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No

Assessments – What to Assess? Basic O.S. Functions Basic Office Productivity Software

Functions Automation Software Operation and

Policies Library Website Features and

Navigation Applicable Hardware (Printers,

Scanners, USB Drive, etc.) Other Technology Assessments Based

on Each Individual's Job Function.

Training Types of Training

In-house Workshops CD-ROM Online Community

College & University

Books (IT Staff use these things constantly)

What to train on Everything that

is relevant!

Training Tips

Make Training Mandatory

Short Training Sessions

Organize the Staff into Groups of Similar Skill Levels

Stay Focused Make the Training as

Interactive as Possible

Go Slowly and Give Plenty of Practice Time

Repetition

Training Tip (continued)

Offer CEU’s Offer the Training to

Other Libraries or Organizations

Let Staff Share Experiences With Each other

Use a Variety of Trainers and Techniques.

Let Staff Members Bring Drinks (non-alcoholic) into the Computer or Training Lab.

Documentation Items to

Document Everything

Instructions FAQ’s Cheat Sheets Etc.

Tips Keep it simple Use lots of Pictures Have print and

electronic copies available.

Documentation ExampleHow To Use CutePDF To Create Adobe Acrobat PDF Files

1. Open the file you would like to turn into a .pdf. This can be anything you can print, such as a Word document a Publisher file, a Web page, etc.

2. Once the file is open, click on File and then on Print. 3. In your list of printers, you will see one labeled CutePDF Writer.

Conclusion

Assessments + Training + Documentation = Tech-savvy Staff

Special Thanks Monica Fox

CRDL Technology Coordinator

Bill Wohlgamuth CRDL Network

Assistant Lise Mitchell

CRDL Director