Category Archives: Small Library Management Training

Resource Guides: Long Range Planning, Library Policies, and Beyond!

Posted on by
Reply

The Continuing Education and Consulting group at the Texas State Library provides training and consulting for library workers throughout Texas. This includes our webinar, youth services, and technology programs. It also includes the Small Library Management Training Program which will be back on the road in 2020.

To better provide the information that you need when you need it, we provide a variety of online resource guides that you can access any time, any day.

If you have specific questions, please email ld@tsl.texas.gov or reach us directly via our directory.

Small Library Management Program Structure Announcement

Posted on by
Reply

Small Library Management Training Program

Thank you for your patience as we have been working on updating the program structure for the Small Library Management Program! We greatly appreciate the feedback that Texas library workers have provided via surveys, focus groups and job shadowing.

We are pleased to unveil two new certificate tracks in the Small Library Management Training Program. Your feedback indicated that small public library directors come to their position with two basic training needs: to implement the core functions of libraries, or to improve their leadership and management skills. These two distinct tracks will help us provide more focused, flexible training to better meet your needs.

The Leadership and Management Certificate is designed for those wanting to improve their skills in personnel or volunteer management as well as long-range planning. (Complete 4)

  • Introduction to Financial Management (online course available now!)
  • *Personnel Management (online and in person course coming in 2020)
  • *Library Professionalism and Values (online course coming in 2021)
  • Additional courses to be announced

The Library Operations Certificate is designed for those wanting to successfully implement the core functions of public libraries. (Complete 4)

  • Collection Development (online course available now!)
  • You Can Do I.T. (online course available now!)
  • Technology 101 (online course coming in 2020)
  • *Library Professionalism and Values (online course coming in 2021)
  • Additional courses to be announced

*Required for track completion

Additional Questions

When will these courses be available?

Our goal is to roll out all courses by 2025, with a variety of online and in-person options.

How many courses are required to complete the certificate track?

Each track will require participants to complete at least four of the certificate track courses. Courses marked with an * are required to complete the track.

Will the old SLM structure continue?

The old structure will still be honored until June 2022. Please note that the upcoming Personnel Management course can count towards the Leadership and Management requirement if you are completing the original SLM certificate.

Do I have to choose a track?

No – you can complete one or both. It’s up to you!

What if neither certificate seems right for my needs?

We are planning on unveiling a Build Your Own SLM Certificate program for those whose training needs fall outside of these tracks. More information will be provided on the SLM website in the near future.

What else is coming?

We are planning on updating our tracking system for the program, as well as creating an introductory video to the course. The website will also be updated to reflect the new program structure.

How can I get started now?

If you want to get started with the Leadership and Management track, enroll in the Introduction to Financial Management online course.

If you want to get started with the Operations track, enroll in the You Can Do I.T or Collection Development online course.

Who do I contact with questions?

Contact Kyla Hunt, Library Management Consultant by email at khunt@tsl.texas.gov or by phone at 512-936-4449.

Thank you all for your valuable input! We will be depending on your continued feedback to improve the program as we go.

Small Library Management Training Program Update!

Posted on by
Reply

Small Library Management Training Program

Thank you for your patience as we have been working on updating the Small Library Management Training Program (SLM)! Behind the scenes we’ve been gathering and analyzing feedback via surveys, online focused discussions and job shadowing with small library directors.

Thank you especially to Judy Bergeron (Smithville Public Library), Barbara Hathaway (Bee Cave Public Library), Cindy Barkley (Harper Library and Resale Shop), Kelly Skovbjerg (Patrick Heath Public Library) and Waynette Ditto (Hewitt Public Library) for their willingness to host TSLAC staff for a day! Job shadowing provided us with invaluable context for what library directors do throughout the day, and it is something that we would like to continue in the future with other libraries.

We wanted to take a moment to share updates regarding next steps and feedback on the program as a whole.

When will we be back on the road?

While our initial goal was to be back on the road in Fall 2019, we are now planning on being back on the road with SLM in Spring 2020.

What feedback did we receive?

Again, thank you to everyone who provided feedback regarding the training needs of small libraries in Texas. Just a few of the themes that jumped out were:

  • An increased training focus on personnel management, financial management, customer service skills and communicating with the library governing authorities are needed.
  • Practical and action-based training is needed, including the opportunity to practice skills related to managing people and conflict.
  • Leadership and management training and foundational library skills training remain the most valuable pieces of SLM.
  • Respondents requested a more flexible approach to SLM, with a variety of tracks and both in-person and online options.
  • Directors find it increasingly difficult to leave their libraries for multiple days at a time.
  • When they are able to attend in-person training, they’d like to make the most of face-to-face networking opportunities.

What are the next steps for SLM?

We are taking the feedback we have received seriously! In response, we are planning on shifting towards a new approach that includes a combination of online courses and in-person practice and networking.

We want to provide a flexible learning experience, and to this end we are planning on announcing two new certificate tracks to SLM in July of 2019 on the Library Developments blog, as well as on the SLM website.

Will the old SLM structure continue?

The old structure will still be honored through June 2021.

Whom do I contact with questions?

Contact, Kyla Hunt, Library Management Consultant by email at khunt@tsl.texas.gov or by phone at 512-936-4449.