UIUC Library Staff Development and Training

Present: Beth Woodard, Sue Searing, John Weible, Tom Teper, Michael Norman, Joe Zumalt, Zoe Revell, Lisa Hinchliffe

Absent: Susie Duncan, Cindy Kelly, Diana Walter

Minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and corrected for attendance and wording.  There was some discussion regarding the topic of the FAQs about Public Machines, specifically how materials for public use would be different than what staff need.  It was suggested that most of the materials already exist, like printing information on the Systems page, and how to use NetFiles on the CITES page. Sue pointed out that we could also refer patrons to SAFARI books on how to use software.  It was agreed that Beth should write to Karen Hogenboom and Mary Laskowski, as co-chairs of the Productivity Trial Task Force, for their recommendations about staff training and user education issues.

The discussion of student orientation continued with the following topics suggested for inclusion:
 

• Expectations
• Calling in sick
• Not showing up for work
• Dress codes
• Behaviors—acceptable and not acceptable
• Customer service training
• Answering the phone
• Greeting
• Taking messages
• Making referrals
• Transferring phone calls
• How to handle call backs
• Dealing with in-person questions
• Handling patron complaints
• Dealing with difficult people
• Public terminals, printing, and copy machines
• Saving work
•  Netfiles
• USB ports
• Email
• Using printers
• LibPrint
• Troubleshooting
• Copy machines
• Copy cards
• Change machines
• Reporting problems
• Navigating the library website
• Finding phone numbers, addresses, and emails for departments and individuals
• Finding materials using the OPAC
• Creation of an OPAC tutorial for staff
• Use of teaching script?
• Finding materials in the ORR
• Using Voyager Circulation
• Voyager Circulation Tutorial and Quiz
• Finding a URL and cutting and pasting it?
• Handling Library Materials
• Preservation
• Security
• Personal factors
• Ergonomics
• Shelving
• Lifting
• Computer use
• Individual security
• Sexual harassment
• Ethics
• Patron confidentiality
• Use of university materials
• Library Overview
• History
• Terminology
• Policies
• Shelving—Introduction to call numbers
• Dewey Decimal
• LC
• SuDoc?
• Emergencies

Zoe Revell has lists that Social Sciences Division and Grainger have developed.  Almost everyone has a checklist.

Next steps?

John Weible had Jodi create the start of an “Experts” list.  He would like us to discuss how we could get more people to participate in this, and what expectations we would have of people who would agree to have their name listed.

Beth Woodard