How to Create a Tech-savvy Staff

1. Computers in Libraries Conference 2006 Chippewa River District Library Training for Staff & Patrons in Public Libraries How to Create a Tech-savvy Staff Travis J. Bussler Network Administrator Chippewa River District Library tbussler@crdl.org www.crdl.org

2. How to Create a Tech-savvy Staff Patrons 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.

3. 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 CRDL Background • Technology Staff • Technology Coordinator • Network Administrator • Network Assistant • 3 Part-time Computer Tech Pages

4. 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

5. 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

6. What is needed? • Assessments, Assessments, Assessments! • Training, Training, Training! • Documentation, Documentation, Documentation!

7. 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 Assessments

8. Assessment Example

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Documentation Example

15. Conclusion • Assessments + Training + Documentation = Tech-savvy Staff

16. Special Thanks • Monica Fox • CRDL Technology Coordinator • Bill Wohlgamuth • CRDL Network Assistant • Lise Mitchell • CRDL Director