PLCMC Information Technology Core Competencies

Developing Staff IT Support Skills Lori Reed Employee Learning & Enrichment Coordinator Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County ALA-CLENE Preconference June 27, 2008

Technology Surge 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Explosion of technology options

Greater demand for services

Higher & Higher user expectations

Everyone is a creator

The Old Model Funding Technology Facilities Collections Staffing

The New Model Funding Highly Skilled & Trained Staff Technology Real & Virtual Collections Real & Virtual Facilities

Where We Were

PLCMC’s Information Technology Core Competencies Core Comp Model

Four components to the PLCMC Core Competencies model.

Each “Core” is a building block for additional competencies.

Core I is the foundation on which all other competencies are built.

PLCMC’s Information Technology Core Competencies http://tinyurl.com/yo2zmh

Core I

Basic competencies, such as:

Accessing the Intranet

Entering timesheets in myHR

Printing

Saving files

Core 1 Pre-assessment

Core Competency Training:

Classroom led workshops

Online tutorials

Small branch sessions

Self-paced learning guides

“ Thanks. It was nice to learn what all the terminology. Now I feel like I could even take my PC at home apart with no problem.”

Core II Core I Core II

Patron support competencies, such as:

Searching the catalog

Using Horizon (ILS)

Core II

Core I Core II Envisionware & LPT One Competencies Core III

Core III

Specific Technology Competencies

AV Knowledge

Imaging

Public Technology Training

Core I Core II Core III Core IV

Core IV

5 Month Learning Blitz

Results

http://tinyurl.com/yo2zmh Core I Core II Core III Core IV

Core Competencies and Our Mission

Enables staff to be more technologically self-sufficient professionally and personally

Enables staff to assist the public more effectively thus providing increased levels of Service Excellence

Enables all staff to take part in lifelong learning of the community in regards to technology

Expanding minds, Empowering Individuals, enriching the community

Tips for Successful Implementation

Management buy in

Involve staff from the beginning

Address fears up front

Communicate

Identify your champions

Accountability

Written goals/development plan

Reward success and failures

Be prepared for change!

Additional Resources

Houghton-Jan, Sarah. “Technology Competencies and Training for Libraries.” Library Technology Reports 43:2 Mar/Apr 2007

“ LE@D Lifelong Education at Desktop.” University of North Texas.

<http://www.leadonline.info>.

“ PLCMC’s Information Technology Core Competencies List.” PLCMC.

<http://www.plcmc.org/public/learning/plcmccorecomp.pdf>.

“ Sustaining Public Access Computing Programs: Technology and Management Competencies.” WebJuntion. <http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=15659>.