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Patron and Staff Computer Training
2:45 PM EST 3/30/06
Does anyone have any great ideas for computer training both staff and patrons for a financially strained library?
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
3:20 PM EST 3/30/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
Hi Kathryn,
Great minds!
WJ's iMPACt program is soliciting all such great ideas under staff development and training... since we are getting ready to design some computer training to be delivered Just-in-time (we hope) to the library staff desktops (or PA computers). The iMPACt program is especially geared to reach rural and small (geographically challenged) libraries.
If you get any great answers here I hope you will share at the iMPACt Forum. (It will be live by April 1)
In addition we are gathering also the top 10 computer help requests from patrons so we can design our online curriculum to better match your real-life needs,
You can contribute at the same link. I will post it back here as soon as the iMPACt Forum is up.
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
12:29 PM EDT 4/19/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
Kathy,
Are there particular things that you want your staff and patrons to know?
Michelle
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
3:34 PM EDT 4/19/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
Hi Kathy, There are a few resources here on WebJunction that you might get ideas from. The [url http://webjunction.org/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=59 ]Computer Training & Classes[/url] forum has several threads on the subject of patron training. One of the topics mentions the [url http://pacomputing.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=9087 ]Quick Guides[/url], which are all free for you to download and use. There is also a slew of [url http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=543 ]Tools for Training[/url] that might be useful in your situation. Best of luck and let us know how it goes. 
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
10:23 AM EDT 4/20/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
Hi,
I have a small library and only 4 computers for the public to use. So my assistant and I have decided to advertise computer classes by appointment. I know I have some interested patrons and to us that seems the logical way to give them hands on time on the computer. If we have all who are interested in come in at once with only four computers we feel they would not get an adequate learning experience. So we will see how it goes.
Amy Cooper
Calhoun County Library
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
12:36 PM EDT 4/20/06
as a reply to Amy Cooper.
Amy,
I look forward to hearing more about how that goes! Please let us know...
Recently, I visited a library that schedules appointments one day a week (for 2 hours) *before* the library opens.
Not only has it worked really well to have uninterrupted 1:1 training time - but a few of the initial trainees have now become the volunteers that come in and teach at the appointments.
-Michelle
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
11:24 AM EDT 4/26/06
as a reply to Amy Cooper.
Amy,
There are a lot of smaller libraries in NM that do training by appointment and, as Michelle mentioned, before the library opens. Many academic libraries also do research appointments - so if someone comes to the desk and needs more in-depth research help than can be accomplished right then or needs research assistance from a "subject specialist", they make an appointment. It works well, and I think patrons get a feeling of a more personal approach to the library. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is - great idea, go for it and have fun. One-on-one training, hands-on training, and by appointment training are all great and so beneficial to the patrons.
~ Cassandra
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
11:31 AM EDT 4/26/06
as a reply to Betha Gutsche.
Kathy,
I'm sure you could find lots of online tutorials that might be of help or at least give you more background and/or ideas. Academic libraries are really good in that regard. The PRIMO database (http://www.ala.org/CFApps/Primo/public/search.cfm) from the Emerging Technologies committee of the Instruction Section of ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries) has an abundance of wonderful online tutorials. They are peer-reviewed before being "allowed" in the database. When I worked at the Univ. of NM, I served on this committee. It was (and I'm sure still is) tough and competitive. What you see there is good stuff.
Hope this helps.
~ Cassandra
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
1:44 PM EDT 4/28/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
We are planning some computer classes (basic) for the public. The classes will be limited to 7or 8 students at a time. We are in the process of putting the classes together. After the basic classes we are planning more specialized classes. We are always open for other ideas.
Mary Ellen Weekley
Philippi Public Library
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
10:45 PM EDT 5/1/06
as a reply to Mary Weekley.
Mary Ellen,
There are lots of wonderful lesson plans, handouts, and resources on patron computer classes on WJ. Check out http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=535 to find all sorts of resources based on the type of classes you'll be teaching (managing PACs, using the Internet, applications, and basic computing).
Also, there is a wonderful Creating a Training Program guide that helps you to plan computer training for patrons and staff - http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=10396.
The Hibbing Public LIbrary created a great series of of patron computer trainings and have shared their handouts and powerpoint presentations - http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=1243.
Anyway, like I said, there are tons of ideas on WJ. Please share with us what you guys plan and how the classes turn out.
~ Cassandra
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
12:57 PM EDT 5/4/06
as a reply to Cassandra Osterloh.
Cassandra,
I checked out some of your resources and found numerous things that could be quite beneficial in staff and patron training. Thank you.
Brenda Hickman
Gassaway Public Library
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
12:09 PM EDT 5/16/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
I have started our computer classes this week. I've had two people that have signed up. One came yesterday and really enjoyed learning!!! Hopefully the patron that comes today will enjoy it also.
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
1:47 PM EDT 5/16/06
as a reply to Amy Cooper.
Congrats Amy on getting your first session completed and doing another one today. You have taken the first steps to running a successful program.
One of the things that I have done at my library to save time and effort is to combine staff and patron classes whenever possible. Our staff members are encouraged to attend classes alongside the public. The public enjoys being in class with our staff and it makes for great dynamic for all involved.
For instance, I am going to be teaching Powering Up to PowerPoint class in about 15 minutes. I have 8 people signed up -- 3 staff and 5 patrons. Oh, and my class outline and handout was created largely using resources I found here at WJ! :-)
Must run and set up the lab.
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
10:55 PM EDT 5/16/06
as a reply to Brenda Hickman.
You're quite welcome, Brenda.
~ Cassandra
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
10:58 PM EDT 5/16/06
as a reply to Janie Hermann.
Great idea to combine staff and patron training. Let us know how it goes. Thanks for sharing.
~ Cassandra
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
10:59 PM EDT 5/16/06
as a reply to Amy Cooper.
This is great, Amy. Way to go!
~ Cassandra
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
2:48 PM EDT 5/30/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
I finished my week of "patron computer classes". I just had one student but she really enjoyed the class!!! As a matter of fact she is here now using the computer.
Thanks for all of the advice and help, I appreciate it.
Amy
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
3:19 PM EDT 5/30/06
as a reply to Amy Cooper.
That's still good!
Way to go!
~ Cassandra
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
3:51 PM EDT 5/30/06
as a reply to Amy Cooper.
Every once in awhile, we have only one student show up for a class, so I get to give a one-on-one session. That is actually my favorite way to teach. It gives me the opportunity to tailor the instruction to what that student really needs.
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Re: Patron and Staff Computer Training
7:17 PM EDT 5/30/06
as a reply to Kathleen McSwain.
We partnered with our local phone company/Internet provider. They were more than happy to chip in part of the cost of materials when we let them put their logo and contact info on the course manuals.
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