This person should not be the system administrator. In choosing an in-house training coordinator, enthusiasm and interest should be the primary consideration, rather than just computer expertise.
The training coordinator should:
- Assess the knowledge and experience of the vendor trainer(s) –-- assess in advance the quality and timeliness of the training aids and documentation, rewriting where necessary
- select an appropriate training area
-select staff to be trained and grouped in classes based on criteria such as level of expertise and curriculum to be covered
-identify trainees with an aptitude to become in-house trainers
-communicate with vendor trainer(s) to discuss the level of training needed for each group and the amount of support that will be provided to subsequent in-house training, including follow-up training.
Specialized staff training The impact of the internet and the world wide web on automated library systems has resulted in the need to train staff in the development and use of tools needed for the creation of a virtual' library. The creation and design of web pages requires significant training in the use of electronic authoring tools and data encoding schemes such as HTML and SGML(respectively, Hypertext Markup Language and Standard Generalized Markup Language see Chapter 17). Cataloguers must learn to create the MARC 856 field for Electronic Location and Access and link the contents of its subfields. Particularly the URL(Uniform Resource Locator), into a web browser environment for instant user access to the location specified. Training in these specialized areas may be done in house but may also require an investment in vendor-run training classes either on - or of-site.
In all cases, though, it is important to determine what skills your staff currently skills they need to attain to effectively work with the new system. Once these have been established, the challenge will be
To combine vendor training programs with in-house efforts to design and implement a strategy that will meet the needs of your staff.
Training and retraining the public
public relations is not the first vehicle that comes to mind when we think of training the public, but public acceptance and enthusiasm for your new automated system is an important ingredient in a successful planning effort. Remember that the public, more than ever before, is much more likely to be using technology to provide access to entertainment and information from home, work and school. Your users will want to know how your system fits into and interacts with the electronic resources and activities that they are already familiar with. Public relations can accomplish three things:
-It can make users aware of your new system and services.
-it can motivate them to use the system
-It can train them in using the new system and services effectively.
In developing a training plan, all three of these should be consciously addressed. And each may suggest a different approach, public training methodologies will vary with the type of library. They may include:
-developing handouts. flyers, and tip sheets geared to the library's clientele
-formal class instruction, particularly in school and academic libraries
-short, focused mini-courses on topics such as system overview. searching strategies. understanding a web browser, and developing. using, and removing individual user preferences
-use of volunteers, as well as staff, to provide individualized one-on- one help.
Remember, not all training has to occur in the library. Outreach efforts that take place where users live and work can be just as effective - if not more so - than efforts undertaken on-site. These might include
workshops in establishing remote connections to your system from home computers and web-based tutorials. which can be used from home, school, or work on particular aspects of the system that in dividual users or groups of users will be interested in.
Whenever possible. try to identify specific user groups for whom customized training can be provided, particularly if training can be tailored to the known needs of the group. Such groups might include academic staff, friends, community organizations, or groups within your parent organization.
You may also want to explore online tutorials, designed to introduce patrons to basic system features and advanced research techniques. These may be available through the vendor, or may be developed by another library that is using the same system software.
Most vendors pride themselves on their system's intuitive, easy-to-use public interfaces. Nevertheless, training is important, particularly when it is focused on blending the features of your system with other tools on the web to create a flexible, full-featured information resource package accessible both inside and outside the library.
Conclusion
The following are good guidelines for both staff and public training:
-Involve staff members at all levels in planning activities
-Evaluate and make effective use of vendor-provided training materials and make sure you receive enough to meet your needs. -Identify any separate training programmes, who will be mined, and individuals who will be responsible for any ongoing training in the area.
-Use training tips to make in-house training effective.
-Integrate web-based training modules, accessible remotely, into your training modules.