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An Infopeople Online Learning Course

Start:
November 13th, 2018 12:00 PM
End:
December 10th, 2018 9:00 PM
Pricing
California $200.00
Out-of-state $200.00

Instructor: Brenda Hough

The most important resource in a library is not the building, the books or the technology. In fact, staff are a libraries most important resource! With a solid framework of competencies you can help ensure that you are hiring, developing, and promoting the right staff into the right positions within your library.

We don't often talk about competencies, but did you know that...

  • They help articulate the behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities that staff need in order to be effective in their roles at the library?
  • They provide a link between the library's organizational objectives or priorities and staff?
  • They can be useful throughout a staff person's tenure at the library, from recruitment to hiring to performance reviews to training and development to retention planning?
  • And finally, competencies are not only focused on today; they also help a library be prepared for the future?

In this very practical course, Infopeople Instructor Brenda Hough will guide learners through a four-step approach to developing staff competencies based on their library goals and mission. You will also discover how other libraries have used competencies to guide the individuals who form their staff and explore existing competency sets that can be adapted to your library's needs. By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  • Identify the value of competencies for organizations and clarify the purpose for their own library
  • Identify existing pre-set lists of competencies, which can be customized to the specific needs of their organization
  • Build a competency framework
  • Use employee-centered methods to verify and revise framework as needed

Learners will leave this course knowing how to develop a competency framework that fits the needs and goals of their organization.

Course Description: This four-week online course will utilize readings, examples, and supplementary resources to help you learn to develop a competency framework. You will work through a four-step process that uses employee-centered methods. As part of the course, you will be encouraged to ask questions and participate in discussions with others.

 

Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:

  • Week 1: Prepare for Competencies
    • Definition
    • How competencies can be used
    • Create a competency framework development team in your library
    • Explore existing competency frameworks
  • Week 2: Collect Information and Start Writing
    • Collect information by observing, interviewing, or surveying staff in your library
    • Write behavioral statements based upon your research
  • Week 3: Build the Competency Framework
    • Identify the groups and sub-groups of competencies that you will use
    • Validate and revise the competencies
  • Week 4: Implement the Competency Framework
    • Involve stakeholders in communication regarding the framework
    • Verify that staff have the required competencies
    • Address gaps with training and development
    • Plan for the future and how to evolve your framework

Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 1/2 hours per week, for a total of ten course hours. Each week's module contains readings and various options for assignments, discussions, or online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Library leaders, managers, and those involved in library staff development.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at: infopeople.org/training/online_learning_details.

After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.

Keywords: staff development